Why do Catholics feel priest should not marry?

Question

No where in the bible does it say that anyone in the five fold ministry should not get married. They even had strong couples that teached in the Bible (Aquila and Priscilla). Why is the Catholic church so different from every other body of Christ in this matter. To me this eisegesis. What do you think?

Answer 1

I am afraid that I have to disagree with you, as shown below, the Bible recommends several times that religious leaders be celibate and unmarried.

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.

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.

WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.

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

The Catholics, like many other religions of the world, feel that Celibacy confers spiritual powers on the priests and the Nuns.Besides, they also feel that the demands of a family life will distract the priests and nuns from their vocation. These are not idle speculations, but facts observed in life. Perhaps there may be a case for making this a choice, so that those inclined religiously, but are not able to observe celibacy may marry and still be associated in significant ways with the church's missions.

Answer 3

Catholic priests do not marry because Jesus did not marry. But, Jesus never molested children and raped nuns, either. Either the church needs a new guideline for choosing those worthy of priesthood, or priests would be better off married.

Jesus is a sinless immortal. Priests are sinful humans. No man can be perfect. This is the very reason Jesus came to save us. If any priest thinks he is sinless and worthy of acting as Jesus, that is blasphemous.

Just a thought from a former Catholic.

Answer 4

Well, the Apostle Paul seemed to be of the opinion that a man could serve God more effectively if he didn't have a wife and children to distract him. But the Catholic church did not mandate priestly celibacy for some time after that. When they finally DID mandate it, they did so as an overreaction to amorous conduct by priests.

Answer 5

I agree with you. I believe that the catholic religion has many problems and this is just one of them. There's a long list of other issues that they practice and are not Biblical. It all starts with the concept that the Pope has more authority over the Church than the Bible. So you might say that they have thrown the handbook on the shelf and decided to just do things the way they want and without concern for the Bible.

Answer 6

I agree, married priest would equal less raped little boys. Paul did say it is better not to marry, but in the same breathe he said their is no sin to marry. He even said that is was his own opinion, not that of the Lord. Priest are not Jesus, and will never be. So why do you confess to them, and not to the source? This group of Christians has changed the rules numerous times, and is often seen outdated. Most of the soul winning for God is done by married men and women.

Here's a few that are bringing millions to Christ, and all are married.
Billy Grahm
Rod Parsley
Joel Osteen
Paula White
T.D. Jakes
Jesse Dupalntis
Joyce Meyer
John Hagee

Answer 7

Back in the day, priests WERE allowed to marry. I'm not Catholic, so I don't know when or why that changed. As an 'outsider', I think they should be allowed to marry once again. Bet a lot more would want to become priests!

Answer 8

The Catholic Church follows the example of Christ and that of Paul.

Answer 9

My understanding is that priests did marry in the early church. The reason marriage was prohibited was to prevent property from being inherited by the priests children. With no kids to inherit the wealth stayed in the church.

Answer 10

Paul stated strongly that a full time minister of the Church is better off unmarried, since a married man is divided between the needs of the Church and the needs of his family. I wonder if this is why Protestant ministers have one of the highest rates of divorce by occupation??

Answer 11

Because the priest has a WHOLE parish to take care of as if they were his own children and if he had his own family then he would be torn between the two which would make it very difficult for him, plus they are supposed to live their life as Chirst did and Christ was never married.