Why cant catholic preists or nuns get married?

Question

It is clear this is not biblical.
(1 Timothy 4:1-3) 4 However, the inspired utterance says definitely that in later periods of time some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to misleading inspired utterances and teachings of demons, 2 by the hypocrisy of men who speak lies, marked in their conscience as with a branding iron; 3 forbidding to marry, commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be partaken of with thanksgiving by those who have faith and accurately know the truth.

Answer 1

They used to be able to marry. But the Church is very fond of property and money. The church was upset that when priests died, they left their money and property to their family. So the church forbid them to marry so they will give all their money and property to the church when they die.

Answer 2

This idea of a celibate clergy 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). For example, Yahweh ordered the prophet Jeremiah 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 the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.

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 3

Some people think (and that's probably including catholics) that celibacy grants you more "concentration" to serve the Lord, since you're not so involved with earthly things (the wife, the family, having to support them, etc., things we know and live every day).
In 1 Corinthians 7 Paul gives some advice regarding to marriage. At the end of the first paragraph (verse 7) Paul says that he wishes every man were like he is (single and entirely devoted to God). Furthermore, in verses 32 to 35 he says:

"I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord's affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit. But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord."
I guess Catholics consider that if someone is going to serve the Lord as a full time job (well, we all should serve Him all the time, but I hope you know what I mean), they would perform better if not married, and therefore nuns and priests are supposed to make a celibacy vow.
I don't necessarily agree with this, but this is the explanation I know.

Answer 4

No offense, but you are quite wrong in saying that celibacy for priests and nuns is un-Biblical.

If celibacy is un-Biblical, then St. Paul was in violation of the Bible. He was celibate.

So, for that matter, was Jesus. If celibacy is against Scripture, then Jesus also was living a life contrary to Scripture. He too was celibate.

Read 1 Corinthians 7. St. Paul speaks at great length -- and in a very positive light -- about forsaking marriage and sex for the sake of God's kingdom and church.

I don't think you can tell us with a straight face, after reading this part of Scripture, that celibacy is un-Biblical.

1 Tim 4 speaks of people being "forbidden to marry" -- but in the Catholic Church, NO ONE is forbidden to marry!

True, priests and nuns must make a promise not to marry -- but only if they voluntarily agree to becomes priests or nuns. No one is obligated to be a priest or a nun.

Therefore, any man who becomes a priest or any woman who becomes a nun takes on a life of celibacy on a VOLUNTARY basis. They are not being "forbidden to marry."

Answer 5

There are those who would allow priests to be married. The Catholic Church has long held that priests must remain celibate. The reason is quite simple. In marriage, a man and woman vow to place each other second only to God. Each gives him/herself completely to the other.

A priest also takes a vow in the sacrament of Holy Orders. In this sacrament, the priest "is called to consecrate [himself] with undivided heart to the Lord…" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1579). A married priest could find himself torn between a commitment to his family and to his congregation. In a very real sense, the congregation IS the priest’s family.

An example: Let us assume that Fr. X is married. As Christmas approaches, the wife of Fr. X asks him if it would be possible for the two of them to visit her family on Christmas Day. Her family lives six hours away.

What is the proper thing to do? Fr. X has taken a vow to honor and cherish his wife. They are one, and family is important. Yet, Fr. X has an obligation to his congregation, one that demands he share the holy day with them.

To allow the marriage of priests, the Catholic Church would have to change what is considered to be a significant element of the sacrament of Holy Orders:

Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. (Catechism 1579)

A married priest surely would find it difficult to consecrate himself "WITH UNDIVIDED HEART." It is true that the Eastern Orthodox Church allows married men to become priests (though they do not allow single priests to get married) and that the Roman Church will allow a married Episcopal priest to convert and become a Catholic priest while remaining married. However, the Church continues to emphasize the importance of celibacy even when there is a choice: "Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God." (Catechism 1580).

Furthermore, the Church would have to change the manner in which it instructs its members regarding vocations. In CCD classes and in Catholic schools, children are taught that they are all called to a vocation: single, married, OR religious life.

Then why do people seek to change the Church in this way? Simple. Our society has taught us that we cannot be happy alone. Recent statistics have shown that nearly 90 percent of all adults will marry at some point. Being single is depicted in movies and on television as an imperfect state. A single person is somewhat less than another who has found a mate.

But, is that a proper reason to change the Church’s teaching? Of course not! The Catholic Church is based upon a system of truth, not on the desires of society. Indeed, what makes being a Catholic difficult is the sacrifice involved. We often are forced to sacrifice what we most desire for the sake of what is good.

The call to allow priests to marry is a change that denies the truth as spoken in the sacraments for the sake of the desires of society. It is an attempt to make priests more similar to that 90 percent of adults who marry.

By remaining celibate, priests can enter into Holy Orders with an undivided heart, fulfilling the sacrament as it was intended.

Answer 6

Church rules. To say it with humor....
The pope dies and goes to heaven. God invites him to go through the library of ancient texts and literature. The pope is in his glory and after weeks of enjoying his reading, there is a loud scream eminating from the library. "there's an r" was the call. It is celebrate not celebate.

Answer 7

They are married to the Church, theirs is a calling to be completely devoted to the Church without the distractions of having a family and the problems, with it.

Peace!

Answer 8

they r supposed to be married to the church... but your right it's not in the bible to become a priest or a nun that does not get married... (in fact it doesn't say at all to become a NUN) was it not God who said, "multiply and be fruitful"? not that im saying you HAVE to have kids.

Answer 9

they are married to the church.

Answer 10

because alter boys would get extremely lonely.