why should the catholic priest have be celebate?

Answer 1

First, Judeo-Christian tradition has always held that single people be celibate. This is taught by Judaism and Christianity from before the Scriptures were written down.

The question should be: Why can't priests marry?

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

Not all Catholic Priests are celibate. Only priests of the Roman Rite are celibate (however there are Roman Rite priests that are converted protestant pastors/ministers that are married). Eastern Priests are often married. Bishops are not supposed to be married and historically, if they were, they were to live as brother and sister with the wife or send her away.

It is also of note that historically, the Roman Rite has suffered spiritually and when it has had married priests, or has not promoted celibacy so while celibacy is optional, there is an indication that God wants the Roman Rite to be celibate.

It should also be considered that Scripture considers celibacy for the Kingdom/ the celibacy of the priesthood / the celibacy of prophets to be a higher thing than the married life

Answer 3

I've never read anything in the Bible that requires this practice. In Corinthians Paul talks to the church leaders about a man living a celibate life in order to serve God more fully, free from the burden of pleasing his wife. This is a good thing. However, a few verses down Paul says that a man should marry if he has trouble controlling his passions. This is not considered a sin.

So I think the Catholic church has really screwed up in requiring priests to be celebate. It's placing a burden on them that is simply not biblical.

Answer 4

Because he has chosen a path totally devoted to God. He has to sacrifice that in order to become a priest because they are in the spiritual, not the physical. Celibacy is purity and chastity. His heart is to remain pure and focused on God for as long as he is a priest, women complicate this by distracting him from his work and his purpose. If he and his wife had a fight on Sunday before mass, he has no one to confess to before serving communion. He is not pure then and can't touch anything to do with the mass or the Eucharist, or he will defile it.
I know with all that is going on with all that is going on in the Catholic church, this seems to defy all we have heard. It is a handful compared to the ones that don't make awful choices.There are some very dedicated priests out there. One I know of has adopted a family as his own. Not just the children but the parents, as well. He visits them often and he is a good friend of the man. He is never alone with the children for the same reason he is never alone with the wife. With all that has been going on, he doesn't need everyone thinking that his motives aren't anything other than pure.

Answer 5

One of life's greatest mysteries. I do not think it is fair for priests to be in that position. their being celibate made some of them commit heinous crimes , such rape against choir boys and girls or sex among men and stuff . it is very strange that they live like that and think it is OK .... they are not angels, they are human and have needs.