Times Square — A Neat Place for Rent A Priest

BRUNSWICK, Maine, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Due to a last-minute series cancellation, a video package on CBS-TV's giant screen in Times Square was largely donated to rentapriest.com, a 501.c3 nonprofit organization. For 48 days, once an hour for 18 hours per day, those walking or driving by the Times Square clock and CBS-TV "eye" logo are seeing a married Roman Catholic priest either witnessing an outdoor marriage, tending to nursing home patients, simply celebrating Mass or blessing Harley Davidson or other motor bike riders at the beginning of their summer riding season, an annual event in Wisconsin.

CBS-TV and their video partner, Neutron Video, did a quick Internet search for an "out of the box" nonprofit when the Times Square space became available. Rentapriest.com fit the bill! The name was as "out of the box" as the ministry it represents — married Roman Catholic priests who are recalled to the sacraments by the people, legal in the church according to Canon Law.

The brainchild of CITI Ministries, Inc. (Celibacy Is the Issue), rentapriest.com is a free referral service that has been available in over 40 states for almost 20 years. People who, for whatever reason, prefer to not contact their parish priest, will find a local married priest and request his ministerial assistance.

The sacramental ministry of married priests includes Baptisms, Holy Communion (everyone is invited), Reconciliation (Confession), first and second Marriages, Anointing of the Sick and Funerals. Married priests are also available for Home Mass, Lenten discussions and/or services as well as special Holy Week and Easter rituals.

For the first 1100 years of the church, popes, bishops and priests were married. Celibacy was made into law in 1139 to prevent priests from bequeathing their homes to their families rather than to the church. People who use the services of married priests are amazed at their extensive theological backgrounds and experience. They are priests forever and can be activated into ministry by a simple public request (Canon Laws 290 and 843). No permission needed.

Further information as well as the new Lenten Spring Newsletter featuring a self or group retreat are available at www.rentapriest.com, in addition to the Directory of Priests. As a 501.c3 nonprofit, support memberships are welcome to help spread the word.

Tags: Harley Davidson, Catholic, Mass, Confession, Easter, Lent, Married Priest, Church, House Church, Marriage, Weddings, Holy Week, Priest, religion, Times Square, CBS-TV

CONTACT: David and Judy Lorenz, [email protected]; Fr. Rich Hasselbach, [email protected], +1-518-804-1944; Jerry Siegmund, [email protected], +1-843-399-8065; Fr. John Shuster, [email protected], +1-360-876-1603; or Louise Haggett (President/Founder) [email protected], +1-207-729-7673

SOURCE CITI Ministires