Why does becoming a Catholic Priest require celibacy???

Question

And if they know this going in, why do so many priests end up disgracing themselves by engaging in relations with women, and (in some cases) molesting children???

Shouldn't their faith be able to protect them from temptation???

Oh, and I should have said that some end up in gay relationships...

Answer 1

The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 A.D. There were many married priests, bishops, and popes before this time.

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 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.

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.

A priest is "married" to the Church. Some people think that a priest who takes his duties seriously cannot take proper care of a wife and family. "A man cannot serve two masters."

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

I would distinguish between two vocations here: one is the call to sacramental ministry as presbyter or presider (all Christians are baptized to priesthood although the word is commonly applied to those given executive powers only); the other is celibacy. They are separate but not mutually exclusive callings and existed as such in the early church.

The requirement that one called to 'executive priesthood' also be called to celibacy and have the appropriate gifts to live both callings is the current discipline of the Roman Catholic Church and became so only gradually over the centuries (the control of property was one of the reasons). The original apostles were married and married priests exist (legitimately) in the RC church to the present day - although allowed only as exceptional cases (converting ministers from other Christian churches who are already married for instance).

I know priests who are happily celibate and others who accepted the condition only because there was no other way to pursue their vocation to sacramental ministry. Some endure a life they are not suited to because of the solemn undertaking they took to do so and others either live secret double lives or leave the ministry to marry.

I also know happily committed celibates and some of them would wish to become sacramental ministers if they were allowed to (religious women for instance - but that is another question).

While I would be reluctant to connect 'forced celibacy' with paedophilia I cannot completely discount there being a connection in some cases. I just think a man who wants sex will seek to have it with a woman (or man) and not a child unless there is another problem present other than celibacy.

Sorry for this longish answer but these issues are close to my heart and have affected the direction I took in life. I wrote a paper on the subject while I was studying theology and would be willing to email it to you if you are interested.

Answer 3

A celibate priesthood gives power to the church authorities.
This is because, having no heirs to their priestly function, priests can be replaced only by hierarchical appointment.
The Catholic Encyclopedia admits that Rome has been accused of using celibacy as a device “to ensure the subjection of the clergy to the central authority of the Roman See.”

Celibacy became canon law only in the 12th century C.E.
The pope who did much to prepare the way for its adoption was Gregory VII (1073-85).
It is said of him that he “saw more clearly than any other the enormous increase of influence which would accrue to a strictly celibate body of clergy.”
Georges Duby, one of France’s leading historians, said recently of medieval monks and priests that, because of their celibacy, “they were hierarchically above others; they had the right to dominate the rest of society.”

But its all wrong.
1 Timothy 3:2 says a church man may have a wife.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 states the idea of forbidding marriage is a teaching originating with the demons.

Answer 4

To be married and families, as well involves the mind of the priest in many distractions it is thought. If a man is better off being single he feels, then that is fine and it is like a test of his faith, to give himself totally to God for servitude, just as the nuns do not marry, as Christ was called the bridegroom. If there was no catholic church then you would not deny the man to be single?
It is as well written the pastor should be sound and can marry if he chooses. This may be looked at if he has a wife,then he won't be tempted, but just as the priests, we know men are human and do cheat on their wives in their own congregations, try not to judge all by others sins, GB.

Answer 5

For the same reason the thought of Jesus possibly being married shocks some people horribly. A Catholic priest is seen as acting as an avatar of God on earth (hence why confession is made to a priest), and well, sex equals sin. Apparently, it seems, even in marriage, God cannot be sullied with sex.

Answer 6

When a man becomes a Priest he is trusted by the church to adhere to the law and doctrine of the church and must abide by the rules,if later a Priest goes against his Priestly vows of celibacy and obedience there is not a lot the church can do except laicize him, and do not forget that all of us make vows and promises that we do not keep later on in life,the spirit is willing but sometimes the flesh is indeed weak.

Answer 7

Can he grow to be a clergyman without taking a vow of celibacy? commonly no. There are exceptions beause celibacy isn't a doctrine, it really is a discipline. Protestant ministers with different halves proceed to be married upon their ordination when they have switched over to Catholicism. Can he function a clergyman without taking the vow of celibacy and later be sure to grow to be married? There are 23 rites in the Church, the Roman or Latin ceremony is the most important. Seminarians freely choose celibacy in the Roman ceremony, and in the different rites, you ought to married first before being ordained.

Answer 8

Back in the mid 1800s, priests could marry. Since most women live longer than men, the wives were inheriting the fortunes of the priests. The church decided that they should inherit the wealth so marriage was outlawed.

Answer 9

Celibacy began as a Catholic religious doctrine some time in the 1500s. It had nothing to do with anything Jesus did; it was a move by church hierarchy in order to prevent priests from marrying, having sons, and passing church property onto those sons, who might not want to be priests. It was a way for the church to hold onto its money and lands.
Not so holy, is it?

Answer 10

The Bible says that the pastor of a church should be the husband of one wife. They aren't following God in this matter so they fail.