Why do catholics feel their priests/monks and nuns should be celebate?

Question

What possible benefit could this give them before God? He did say be fruitful and multiply.

Answer 1

They weren't always. It changed in the middle ages because priests were putting their families in front of the church in various ways. Nepotism, stealing church money, etc.


Here are some good pages on it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clerical_celibacy

http://www.libchrist.com/bible/catholiccelibacy.html

http://atheism.about.com/od/romancatholicism/a/celibacy_2.htm

Answer 2

Because sex and family life detracts from the dedication needed to be fully focused on G-d. Also, during the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church did not have this restriction and it was the most powerful entity in Europe. They held land and had riches and could make kings and break kings. The threat of excommunication and eternal damnation was a strong weapon in those times of blind religious obedience. Sometimes, a priest would have children. If he were a priest of a particularly rich and powerful diocese, then he could in effect leave those assests to his heirs. This could even create a dynasty to rival the power of the pope. This results in fragmentation of the Church's power. The church could not tolerate this, so they instituted a policy of celibacy to prevent this from happening.

Answer 3

Are you making that usual mistake Americans make when they don't know the difference between celebacy and chastity?

The reason for a religious to be in celebate is, the religious person is "MARRIED" to the church... so they can't be 'MARRIED" to another person... As for Chastity... that just means they don't have SEX... There are a lot of priests who get into trouble because, while they may be celebate, they screw their heads off and end up fathering a child. AND more than one Nun has had a baby.

CELEBATE... NOT MARRIED
CHASTITY.. NOT HAVING SEX.

Answer 4

YES He did.....However,

He also said that being celibate may create a greater dependency on Him and it would be the highest calling of all.....

That having been said, very, very few people would ever be able to achieve this oneness with God. Priest, nuns and monks follow this tradition, but it is one to be taken very seriously.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

Catholics prefer that their priests don't rape children... they feel so strongly about it that they are almost willing to do something about it. Asking their priests to be celibate is a first step in the right direction.

Answer 7

I am catholic and do not believe they should be celibate.. its the pope and his underlings that refuse to change this... my belief is that they do not want to allow them to because it would end up costing a lot of money to support their spouses and children with actual salary , health benefits etc..

Answer 8

You mean celibate...

They don't feel they have to "be fruitful and mulitply" in a physical sense but can work for God and focus more on him instead of stuff like marriage.

Answer 9

1 Corinthians Chapter 7 says your better off not touching a woman but if you cant control your sexual urges then your better off marrying than to commit fornication...

Answer 10

So nobody gets horrified with morning after syndrome