2006-12-18 21:16:17 · 9 answers · asked by Kumuko B 1 in News & Events ➔ Media & Journalism
The Bible recommends celibacy:
+ In Matthew 19:12, Jesus 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."
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.
+ In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."
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.
+ Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."
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.
+ In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."
This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.
+ Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."
Paul acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.
+ In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."
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.
+ In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "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 anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."
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.”
See also
1 Timothy 5:9-12
2 Timothy 2:3-4
Revevation 14:4
Isaiah 56:3-7
Jeremiah 16:1-4
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.
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.
2006-12-19 17:22:56 · answer #1 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The verse that you quoted refers to religions that forbid ANYONE from marrying. This is NOT the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church sees Matrimony as a SACRAMENT. It is so holy that divorce is not allowed for ANY reason. Can your church state that?
Celibacy is a practice of the Catholic priesthood. It is a choice that men make when they decide to become a priest. Jesus was unmarried and celibate as was St. Paul. St. Paul recommended celibacy for those who wanted to serve the Lord without having to worry about pleasing a wife at the same time.
"Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. . . those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. . . . The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband" (1 Cor 7:27-34).
A married man who wishes to join the clergy can as a deacon. A deacon performs many of the duties of a priest. A deacon can baptize persons and even officiate at weddings. A deacon frequently gives the sermon at Mass. He usually fills the role of a counselor and spiritual guide the same as a priest does.
Additionally, there are over 1000 married Catholic priests. These are married men who were ministers in Christian churches that asked to become a priest when they converted to Catholicism. They were allowed to remain married when they became Catholic priests..
2006-12-19 00:49:05 · answer #2 · answered by Sldgman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As mentioned above, Paul recommends celibacy and for that matter so does Jesus where he recommends becoming a eunich for the kingdom of Heaven for its ministers. Further, not all parts of the Catholic Church require priests to be unmarried but anyone who is a priest cannot remarry. Again, that goes back to the biblical statement that there should be just one wife for ministers. Second, reread your verse, it does not apply to this situation.
2006-12-19 09:14:00 · answer #3 · answered by OPM 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the bible says no specific thing about the different sects of the christian faith, so technically it does not refer to catholocism. however catholic, in believing that they are the one true religion (as most religions do) interpret the bible so that there priests cannot marry. however there is a loophole. if a preist in a different faith marrys, and then transfers to catholocism, and becomes a priest it is the lesser of too evils to carry on, and not devorce.
2006-12-18 21:27:49 · answer #4 · answered by Proassasin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not in the bible. It is also not in the bible that a pope should have a prerequisite of being a Nazi or a priest being a pedophile.
With love in Christ.
2006-12-19 20:12:34 · answer #5 · answered by imacatlick2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very thank full to OUR LORD for this chance to answer your
QUESTION anyway there is no place in the Bible that teaches this the best thing to do is to Pray for spiritual insight then study each scripture About marriage and I believe you ll receive you answer
2006-12-18 23:41:07 · answer #6 · answered by Angel M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is dumb for no marry. No wonder those priests enjoy having little boys.
2006-12-20 19:57:12 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. Mister 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not mention in the Bible.
2006-12-18 21:33:58 · answer #8 · answered by Flory M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't.
2006-12-19 04:29:36 · answer #9 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋