It's no secret that the Catholic Church is having a hard time finding priests. One reason is the incredible commitment people have to make to go a lifetime without getting married. But, it may surprise many to know that that's no longer necessarily the case.

Father Jeff Hopper is a priest at St. James Catholic Church in Elizabethtown.

"I have two children, two grandchildren and one on the way," said Father Jeff Hopper, married priest.

How is this possible? It was in the 1980's under Pope John Paul II, that the church decided to make an exception. It allows someone who is married and ordained as a minister in another faith, and who then converts to Catholicism, to become a priest and remain married. Father Hopper says it was a little rough at first.

"There were some that were a little wary of me, because this wasn't part of their experience. Once they got to know me, they seemed to be pretty comfortable," said Father Hopper.

Father Hopper is a former Episcopalian, like the majority who have made the move, most of the rest are former Lutherans.

"The provision was given because of the strong connectedness of theology and also the fact that here, we have someone who is coming into the church, petitioning to become a priest. Whereas he had in previous time been ordained a priest and has not taken a vow of celibacy," said Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, Louisville archdiocese.

Father Hopper points out that those who make the move become Catholics first, there's no guarantee they'll ever become priests.

"Your movement is to the Catholic Church. If the church allows you to serve, that's a bonus. But, that's not what you become Catholic for," said Father Hopper.

Since Father Hopper became the first married priest in the Archdiocese of Louisville three years ago, another has taken the same step. Father Dave Harris, with St. Aloysius in Pewee Valley was ordained last year. A third man plans to do the same. While they can do everything a typical priest can do, there is one big difference. They can't be a pastor or the head of a parish because the church feels they can't commit completely to their parish.

"There's exceptions that I'll be available at the same degree that celibate priests are. But, when there are family things going on, I might choose to go to for instance my granddaughters dance recital," said Father Hopper.

Parishioners Fox 41 spoke with were split on the idea.

"I don't agree with that, because that's not what our tradition teaches," said one parishioner.

"I suppose if they were married before that it wouldn't be right to separate from their wives once they converted," said another parishioner.

Father Isaac McDaniel hopes that this could be the first step toward allowing all priests to marry.

"For the first thousand years, priests were able to marry. The Apostles were married, Peter was married, they were all married. As far as we can tell, their being married didn't undercut their being affective priests or really giving their lives and souls to that," said Father Isaac McDaniel, supports married priests.

Archbishop Kurtz says don't count on that happening anytime soon.

"This is not meant to be a signal for a change," said Archbishop Kurtz.

Archbishop Kurtz said when the third man becomes a priest, that will probably be it for married priests in Louisville for awhile.