Friday, February 27, 2009

Can a priest have tatoos?

Your question about priests with tattoos is interesting. To answer it briefly, a tattoo is not an impediment to the priesthood. A man with a tattoo can become a priest. However, the seminary needs to take note of the nature of the tattoo (i.e. when did the man get it, what does it re-present, and whether the location of the tattoo is an issue, i.e. it would be odd to see a priest with a tattoo on his forearm.) At times, a man may enter the seminary and have a tatto from earlier in his life. Again, this alone would not prevent his entrance or being ordained, but it needs to be considered by the candidate and the Church. Depending on the nature of the tattoo, the Church might ask the man to consider having it removed.
-Fr. Chris Rogers

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