Sure. The idea of sacramentality ensures that a priest's character is not at issue, except as a matter of discipline. The priest is a priest in virtue of his ordination, which is held to give the faculty of dispensing several sacraments. He can perform the Eucharist, and therefore trans- substantiate bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ; he can grant absolution, if there is a valid confession; and he can perform Extreme Unction. Any Catholic can perform baptism, although ordinarily the priest does it; matrimony depends upon the exchange of vows, although a priest usually presides; and confirmation and the dispensing of holy orders belong to bishops. In most Protestant churches, the primary function of a minister is to give sermons and be a spiritual counselor. In the Catholic Church, the primary function of a priest is to dispense the sacraments. Since all sin, the state of soul at any given time does not affect his ability to dispense the sacraments.
Of course, the priest is also expected to represent the Magisterium, or teaching function, of the Church, but in that case, what matters is whether he is teaching what is sanctioned, not his individual character. You can be orthodox and wicked, or saintly and heretical.
Finally, the priest is supposed to offer counsel and lead the parish. Again, one could conceivably be steeped in mortal sin, and still offer sound advice and run a tight ship, or one good be quite spiritual, but a poor leader. Nevertheless, no good priest will allow scandal to assault the faith of the flock, and therefore, open sinfulness is intolerable. Additionally, if the bad character is such that it affects his ability to shepherd his flock in other ways, the priest will be disciplined. Discipline could range from being suspensed while undergoing counseling, being relieved of pastoral duties, or losing one's license to function as a priest. Of course, in certain cases the civil authorities might be brought in......... |
