is there any scripture in the bible that requires catholic priests to be celibate?

Question

i was just wondering about that. is there any specific verse that mandates that requirement, and are there other parts of christianity or judaism which require celibacy for their leaders?

Answer 1

None, although apostle Paul was a single man, and in the bible it says that if a man can resist temptation it's good for him to remain single, but if a man cannot resist temptation, it's better for him to marry. Same thing with the sisters (women). I'm sorry I forgot the exact location, but it's in the new testament and I think it might be in Romans or Corinthians.

Answer 2

Not require, but recommend.

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.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry. Are we not to imitate Christ?

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

Of course not! Is there any specific verse that defines the dress code at a Baptist service? Rules are made by Churches in order to support and facilitate doing what they need to do. At the present time the Catholic Church believes that requiring celibacy of some of its priests is in the best interest of the priesthood and the Church. So the rule remains in effect. If that opionion changes, so will the rule. This isn't a doctrinal issue. The Bible does however strongly recommend that full time ministers of the faith remain single, lest they be "divided" between their family responsibilities and their clerical responsibilities. I wonder if that is the reason Protestant ministers have such a high rate of divorce?

Obviously the passage about a bishop having "one wife" is not a requirement to marry. Scripture scholars almost universally recognize that this passage is a proscription against polygamy. Nothing else.

Answer 4

Noone is required to be celibate. People have a choice to become priests. If you don't want to be celibate then don't become a priest.

1Cor. 7:32-35 states:
"I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxioys about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and he is divided. An unmarried woman or a virgin is anxious about the things of the Lord, so that she may be holy in both body and spirit. A married woman, on the other hand, is anxious about the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I am telling you this for your own benefit, not to impose a restraint upon you, but for the sake of propiety and adherence to the Lord without distraction."

Matt. 19:12 says:
"Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so, some, because they were made so by others, some because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."

Priests renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom.

God bless,
Stanbo

Answer 5

There are no Catholic priests in scripture,as a matter of fact the Bible suggests celibacy for all,but if you must, then take a wife.
Just read answers shocked !!!!!! Has any one every read the Bible.It is written so many times it is far far better for a man to remain celibate!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 6

it is a choice. no more no less. you make it into this grand plan to make money.... it is a personal choice Eph 5:21-33 - marriage is good: holy symbol of Christ & church Mt 19:12 - celibacy praised by Jesus, who was chaste Jer 16:1-4 - Jeremiah told not to take wife & have children 1Cor 7:8 - St. Paul was celibate 1Cor 7:32-35 - celibacy recommended for full-time ministers 2Tim 2:3-4 - no soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits

Answer 7

I have only this to say to all the people who have said it is not Biblical. In the book of Esther the Queen (which figuratively is the Church) was given to the care of the Kings eunuchs. In the New Testament doesn't it say that some men are eunuchs from accident or from an unfortunate birth but, it says still others are eunuchs from their own desire for the furthering of the Kingdom of God. Everybody that has answered I don't think actually reads their Bible. As for the vows of celibacy and not chastity they all take those vows too. Some religious orders also take the vow of poverty too. Now, Jesus said a house divided will never stand why do our brothers and sisters in Christ continue to act this way. You are partially to blame for all the people belittling Christians when you people pick apart your own Christian brothers and sisters. What is love? All you Bible only people for sure know this one don't you? Love builds up , it never cuts down but, all you do is cut down the Catholics every chance you get. I just don't know about you guys.

Answer 8

It is the Roman Catholic teachings based on their man made doctrines. I was a Catholic. Sad to say that many of their man made doctrines are based on paganism. Catholism was founded by Constantine, many, many years after the Holy Bible was already in place. The Catholic church was never been establised by the disciple Peter. The Roman Empire crucified Peter and so did Paul.

Many of their religious beliefs are not based in the Bible. Their doctrines are based on a Pope making decisions for the Catholics. One of them is that the Catholic priests should not be married.

I am not mocking the Catholic church, I was born and grew up in that religion and I became aware of God and Jesus because of the Catholic church. But I could no longer follow a religion that is not God breathed, nor God approved; and resembles the pharisees in Jesus time in the NT.

I hope Catholics are not so defensive, but more willing to know the Truth. How would you not know God's Truth if you will not take the "risk" of reading the Holy Bible. There are thousands of Catholics who are now Born Again Christians, even former nuns and priests. They must have found something truthful.

Here's the site to know why Christians feel the way they feel about Catholics. It has plenty to do with love--- and concerns.

http://www.catholicconcerns.com/

Answer 9

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

I have wanted to know the answer to this for a long time!!

Is that a commandment from God or from men? Could you ask them this as well?
Can you ask Catholics to answer this?

WAIT WAIT!! Did you see this!!!

" in fact the Bible suggests celibacy for ALL,but if you must, then take a wife."

If people can conclude this from the bible, I can understand why "christianity" is so messed up!!!Imagine the preachers convincing everyone of this!! WOW!

WHOA! WHOA! WHOA!!! This just in!

"Catholic priests take a vow of celibacy, meaning they will not marry. None of them take a vow of chastity - which is a good thing, or many of them would have been in big trouble by now for breach of contract."

I'm done for the night.