Dear Konrad:

In the Latin Rite priests are normally celibate. The Canon Laws pertaining to this are:

In terms of qualifications to be ordained:

Can. 1042 The following are simply impeded from receiving orders:

1. a man who has a wife, unless he is lawfully destined for the permanent diaconate;

Once ordained a priest is obligated to remain unmarried:

Can. 277.1 Clerics are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the Kingdom of heaven, and are therefore bound to celibacy. Celibacy is a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can more easily remain close to Christ with an undivided heart, and can dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and their neighbor.

There can be a dispensation given by the Pope for a married man to become a priest. This happens rarely and usually when a non-Catholic minister converts to the Catholic Church.

A permanent deacon, who is in Holy Orders, may be married.

Should a dispensation be given for a married man to be ordained, or a married man enter Holy Orders as a Permanent Deacon, neither of them may get "remarried" should their wives die or leave them:

Can. 1087 Those who are in sacred orders invalidly attempt marriage.

Again, a dispensation can be given to a man in sacred orders should he have young children and thus remarriage is in the best interest of the children.

Dispensations are rare. The norm is that Latin Rite priests are to be celibate.

In the Eastern Rites, however, married men may be ordained, but Eastern Bishops must be celibate.

Neither in the Latin Rite or the Eastern Rites may a man already ordained get married. If a priest is married he must have been married BEFORE ordination. (This is also true for permanent deacons).

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary