Why can't Catholic Priest marry?

Question

Doen't the bible say be fruitful and multiply?

Doesn't the bible say be fruitful and multiply

Answer 1

This idea came from the Jews, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

The Jews. The Talmud argues that a person whose “soul is bound up with the Torah and is constantly occupied with it” may remain celibate (Maimonides, Laws of Marriage 15.3). This argument could certainly have been based on the biblical example of Jeremiah, a celibate prophet who was ordered by Yahweh not to marry (Jeremiah 16:1-4). Moreover, the Essenes was a group that was active in Jesus’ time that practiced celibacy and thought by most scholars to be the authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls.

John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that either or both Jesus and John the Baptist were influenced in their celibacy by the example of the Essenes.

The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).

The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Historically, one of the reasons had to do with land entitlement. Let's look back at, say the 12th century. A priest would be given living quarters (we'll call it a parsonage for lack of a better word) in the area where he ministered. When he died or left to take on a new position, the next priest would come in and take over the parsonage. But what do you do if a priest dies and leaves a wife and children? It would be un-Christian to throw them out, (where would they go as at that time, you couldn't just rent a new place), but the parsonage was for the use of the priest ministering to that region. Also, what about sons inheritting land? So from a practicality standpoint, an unmarried priest was easier to deal with.

Theologically, you'll hear people say that priests are not married because we have no record of Jesus or his 12 Apostles being married. You'll hear people also say that a priest represents Jesus here on earth (which I find a bit presumptuous) or that being married and/or having a family would taint his sacred duties. (I can't buy that last part - the Catholic Church holds marriage as a very sacred state of being.)

So, how about this angle - a parish preist has a responsibility to lead his congregation. His efforts and attention must be focused to lead them not only in practical matters, but spiritual as well. What would a priest do if his wife was in labor and he was called to administer Last Rites to a dying parishioner? Can we really ask a man to put his family second to his calling?

Now, I'm not saying that this angle is a valid one - other Christian denominations seem to have pulled it off. I'm not even sure that I think being single and celebate *is* necessary to being a priest. But this should give you a good starting point. If you want more history, theology, or church doumentation, I'd be more than happy to look it up for you. Lord knows I have plenty of resources in my library.

Answer 3

Marriage in the early days, was always about property.

The Holy Roman Church worried about an angry wife or widow, taking church property, so in their infinate wisdom (yeah rite), started declaring that their clergy should leave simplier and purer lives and started insisting clergy to be single.

Later on, ritual bought about celibacy (no sex, no masterbation), vows of poverty and obediance.

The only married priest in the church now are Espiscpal Priest who converted to Roman Catholicism. Aside from that, the archaic church law still demands clergy to be celibate, will NOT ordain women and quite frankly don't understand the 21st century.

OH - I was never a priest, but I was a Youth Minister in the church. I am no longer practicing Roman Catholicism. In fact, organized religion is a farce.

God is all loving and all powerful. Accept that, you don't need man made laws and facticious bible stories aka fables and other religious hang ups. Love is more honest when it is not church based. Serive to others is more generious when the church is not involved. Justice is better served to a whole population when church doesn't push it's morality (or lack thereof).

God was never a politician... why are clergy and other "christians" lobbying for this, that or the other thing.

Answer 4

It started around 500 years ago when many Pope and Priests were getting the Church into trouble for leaving THE CHURCHES LAND and PROPERTIES to their Children and Wives. The Church was getting upset about this (roflmao) and so in order to stop this give away of church property outlawed Priests to marry. Up until this time many if not most Popes had children and many of those Children themselves became Pope (think Borgia as one sad example). So this law was made to protect the Churches property and not God (as usual) with the Catholic Church.

Answer 5

Priests make the vow of celibacy.

It allows them to follow Jesus in a more close manner as Jesus didn't marry on earth.

It is also a prophetic manner way of living. Indeed, in the Eternal Life, there is no mariage, and none of us will marry.

Answer 6

This is a long question with a short answer: The Catholic Church forbids its priest to marry.

Answer 7

Priests used to be able to marry, centuries ago. This practice was discontinued in order that priests would be able to devote themselves fully to God rather than having their attention divided between caring for their family and congregation.

Answer 8

Because the Catholics believe that sex was original sin. Priests are supposed to be good and virtuous people in order to serve God, so something so sinful as sex is off-limits. Basically God doesn't like anyone to have sex if he can't get any.

Answer 9

All Bible verses MUST be interpreted in light of all other bible verses.

Celibacy is Church Practice, Not Dogma

Matt. 19:11-12 - Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.

Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

Matt. 22:30 - Jesus explains that in heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

1 Cor. 7:7 - Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

1 Cor. 7:27 – Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full-time ministers in the Church.

1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 - Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

1 Tim. 3:2 - Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church's celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church's Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.

1 Tim. 4:3 - in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church's practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).

1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 - Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.

Rev. 14:4 - unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.

Isaiah 56:3-7 - the eunuchs who keep God's covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.

Jer. 16:1-4 - Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.

Answer 10

It is one of the 7 sacrements. A man can choose marriage or holy orders, but not both.