Why a Roman Catholic priest can't marriage?

Question

Do you agree with this practice?

Answer 1

First of all, many Roman Catholic priests are married. The entire Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church ordains married men, so there are thousands of married Catholic priests. The Latin Rite of the Catholic Church does not ordain married men to the priesthood, but there are some married Latin Rite Catholic priests as well, mostly married Anglican or Episcopalian priests who have converted to Catholicism.

So the question is - why does the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church not ordain married men to the priesthood? Because the Church at this time believes, as Paul did, that marriage and ministry often conflict, and that it is in the best interest of the Church and the priesthood for fulltime ministers of the Church to be unmarried. This is not a doctrinal issue of course, so the Church could change the rule in the future if it seems advisable to do so.
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Answer 2

The fact that I disagree with this man-made doctrine that Catholic Priests cannot marry is of no worth.

The Lord God had ordained marriage between a man and a woman long before the Catholic Church was organized. In fact, Adam and Eve were married by God for time and all eternity. They set the standard for mankind.

Even those of the Jewish faith recognize that marriage is of the utmost importance before one can teach the faith to others.

Answer 3

Because it is a rule instituted for those who decide to dedicate themselves to God's service.

I don't quite agree with this practice. Let me explain.

When Paul talked about singlehood, he believed it was better simply because single people can dedicate all their time and energy to a cause or a purpose. As such, if these people were ordained by God for something that would demand all their time and energy, God would create them with the ability to stay single (i.e. Mother Theresa). Such people can be priests without problems.

HOWEVER, many end up joining all for the wrong reasons:
to appear pious because opinions matter, to try to make up for past faults...
The worst part is if they were made to marry, they would have strong sexual desires naturally and when it can't be channeled into marriage, chances are sooner or later, it ends up elsewhere, hence the molestation scandals and such.

In the end, you can serve God whether you're married or not. It all depends on what you were made to do.
If you're made to be single and dedicated, please go right ahead.
If you're made to be someone's husband and maybe father, please do NOT attempt to take such a vow. God loves you anyway, you can still follow and serve God, it's no biggie.

Answer 4

I do agree that it's a good thing to serve Christ as Paul did as a total life commitment. However, Paul also advocated Peter's marriage and his wife's travelling with him. At one point in time the Roman Catholics decided it was more than a good idea; it became a manditory idea if you wanted to serve in any clerical office.

Answer 5

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.

Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:
+ The practice recommended in the Bible
+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.

+++ Scripture +++

+ 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

+++ Scriptural Examples +++

Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.

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 6

Peter Was Married.....The Roman Catholic religion foolishly teaches that Peter was never married, and that he was the first Pope. In the first place, Peter is NOT the head of the church, and never was. Jesus Christ is the "Rock" (Greek, "Petra") upon which the New Testament church is built. This is made abundantly clear by Peter himself, in 1st Peter 2:7......"Unto you therfore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner."...........Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, the foundation, upon which all Christainity is built. It is blasphemy to teach that a mere sinful man, such as Peter, could be the head of the church. This is typical Catholic brainwashing. The name "Peter" in Greek means "Petros" (i.e., a small stone or rock); But, Jesus is referred to as "petra" (a large rock or mountain) in Matthew 16:18. In the original Greek Jesus said, "Thou art Petros [a little piece of rock], and upon this petra [bedrock] I will build my church." Clearly, Jesus was NOT speaking about Peter, because Peter was only a small stone............Furthermore, it is very clear from Matthew 8:14 that Peter was married!......"And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever." Did you read that?....HIS WIFES MOTHER!..... So why does the Catholic church lie about this Biblical truth, denying their priests the God-given gift to marry? The Word of God goes even further on this subject by stating in 1st Timothy 4:1-3...."Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; FORBIDDING TO MARRY,"........Wow!....Not only does the Bible clearly teach us that Peter was married; but it also warns about false prophets who would come to us forbidding marriage. Folks, how much clearer could the Word of God be on this issue?.........

Answer 7

"Good News about Sex & Marriage" by Christopher West

"Q: 4. Celibacy is simply unnatural. It's no wonder that so many priests have sexual problems. This type of scandal would end if priests were allowed to marry.

A: In some sense you're right to say celibacy is un-natural. As Christ reveals, celibacy is super-natural. It's celibacy for the sake of the kingdom. By calling some to renounce the natural call to marriage, Christ established an entirely new way of life, and in doing so, he demonstrated the power of the cross to transform lives.

For those who are stuck in a fallen view of sex with no concept of the freedom to which we're called in Christ, the idea of lifelong celibacy is complete nonsense. But for those who have experienced the transformation of their sexual desires in Christ, the idea of making a complete gift of our sexuality to God not only becomes a possibility; it becomes very attractive. The celibate vocation is not a rejection of sexuality. If some approach it this way, according to John Paul II, they're not living in accord with Christ's words.

Celibacy is a grace, a gift. Only a small minority of Christ's followers are given this gift. But those who are given this gift are also given the grace to be faithful to their vows, just as married couples are given the grace to be faithful to their vows.

In both vocations people can and do reject this grace and violate their vows. Certainly there's a need in the typical Catholic diocese for greater openness about sexual woundedness and for development and promotion of ministries that bring Christ's healing to those in need, including priests. But the solution to marital and celibate indidelity is not to concede to human weakness and redefine the nature of the commitments. The solution is to point to the cross as the font of grace that it is, a font from which we can drink freely and receive real power to live and love as we're called.

Furthermore, the statistical rates of sexual misconduct amoung celibate priests is no higher than that of clergy in Christian denominations who are allowed to marry. There is absolutely no evidence that allowing priests to marry would solve or even alleviate this problem.

There's also a dangerously misguided approach to marriage inherent in the idea that marriage is the solution to the sexual scandal of priests. As has been stressed throught this book, marriage does not provide a "legitimate outlet" for disordered sexual desire. Celibacy does NOT cause sexual disorder. Sin does. Simply getting married does NOT cure sexual disorder. Christ does. If a priest, or any other man, were to enter a marriage with deep-seated sexual disorders, he would be condemning his wife to a life of sexual objectification. The only way the scandal of sexual sin (whether committed by priests or others) will end is if people experience the redemption of their sexuality in Christ."

It is there way, so why would I protest their way? In many ways, I find Christopher West's explanation beautiful.

Answer 8

I absolutely do not agree with this practice. go back and read your bible. a long time ago catholics were told not to read their bible. they were to only take their priests word for what the bible said.

unfortunetly, they have done themselves ( and the boys they molest) a major disservice. THE BIBLE DOES SAY THAT IT IS OKAY FOR A PRIEST, PASTOR, ETC TO MARRY. 1timothy 3 talks about the requirements. hope this helps

Answer 9

This is just my opinion, and I am not Catholic, but:

I think it should be a voluntary thing...If a priest wishes to remain unmarried; than all the power to him ----
but:
If he feels he needs a (female) partner, and is still able to carry out his ministry; why not.

*note: His partner should be female. I do not endorse any other 'unions'....

Answer 10

Jesus never married.

Paul said that a man who is not married is soley concerned with pleasing the Lord and not with a wife.

An unmarried priest can devote all of his tie to his parish without worrying about neglecting a family.