Do you think Catholic priests should be allowed to marry?

Question

I know lately there have been a lot scandals involving some Catholic priest with children and so forth. In Scotland a priest has been implicated with the murder of a Polish student Alegika Kluke he admitted that he had sex with her prier to her murder but DENIES her death the murder case continues in Scotland. Now would you not agree that Catholic priests should be allowed to marry priests are just like other men they have sexual feelings just like everyone else do you not think the Catholic church should change it views on celibacy and allow priest to marry. I am a Roman Catholic and proud but if I were having marriage problems and you wanted to talk to priest how can he understand when he has no experience of what married life is about how can he advise you when he has no experience.

Just so I can clear I just realised I didn't word my question clearly sorry I did not mean priest marry each other. Or priest marry men no I did not mean that. I mean priests being allowed to marry women and living life as a married couple serving God and his parishners

Answer 1

You assume too much.
First, your premise assumes the entire clergy sex scandal stems from priestly celibacy.
Second, your premise assumes all marriage issues involve sex.

Third, I don't know if you are aware of it or not but your premise lowers the stature of human beings to that of animals. You assume that people "have to" have sex. Wrong. When a person becomes hungry or thirsty, they have to eat and drink in order to survive. When a person feels tired, they have to sleep in order to survive. When a person feels aroused, he/she does not have to have sex in order to survive. Not having sex will not kill a person.

Your premise seems to imply people "have to" have sex. This is wrong. Animals will have sex whenever they get the urge because they operate entirely upon instinct. Human beings, with their ability to reason, can choose to ignore their sexual urges until they are able to do so under morally acceptable circumstances.

Those who advocate otherwise lower the stature of humanity to that of animals. Surely you don't mean to do that? Even with this in mind, if you continue to press the issue, you are basically admitting you do not have any self-control. Just because you don't have self-control doesn't mean others don't.

I don't know about you but I am doing just fine living life as a chaste Catholic. All people, not just Catholics, are called to chastity.

Frankly, I would not hesitate to bring marriage issues to my priest. Who better to seek council from considering a priest knows more about the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony than I do?

Besides, priestly celibacy is based on Biblical precident:

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.


The Doctrine of the Catholic Church has things thought through better than you think.

Answer 2

No, Catholic priests are not allowed to marry. This precept is both natural and Biblical. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says that those who may remain celebate for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven should do so. In 1 Corinthians 7:7-9, Paul writes that those who can refrain from marriage should do so. Later, in verses 7:32-35, 38, Paul writes that only the unmarried man can be completely concerned with the Lord, for the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. So, it is natural, because it is a gift and calling from God to serve Him, and it is Biblical, having been recommended by Christ and by Paul. Even if any of the original Apostles were married, and many Protestants claim that Peter, at least, was married, these men left their homes and families, everything, to follow Jesus. In Luke 18:29-30, for example, Jesus says "There is no man who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingodm of God, who will not receive manifold more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life." Before that, in Matthew 17:27-29, Peter says "'Lo, we have left everything and followed You. What then shall we have?" Jesus said to them, '...every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life." The fact is that being a man of God is a huge commitment. Marriage can only be a distraction, as can children. The priest must be completely devoted to God and to the Church. It is a special calling that far too few young men are able to answer, because it does take a great deal of discipline.

Answer 3

The Catholic priesthood is open to married priests. Though few, there are a number of ex-protestant married clergy who converted to Catholicism and were allowed to be ordained into the Catholic priesthood.

My second point is that you can't blame pedophilia on celibacy. Celibacy is a choice that those men were called to participate in of their own free choosing. Pedophilia is a sin that all people are guilty of - Christians, non-Christians, atheists, you name it. In more recent news a number of women have been convicted of sexual abuse, so this even crosses gender lines. It is a narrow view to blame these crimes on celibacy.

Pray for your priests. They are our family and need our love and support like everyone else does. Pray that those harmed by sexual abuse are healed, as well as those struggling with pedophilia.

God bless.

Answer 4

There are some Catholic Priests who would be capable of being in a monogamous relationship with a woman.Others will mistreat their women just as they mistreated the children of the Church.Not all of them were called to lead God"s flock.Any man who could defile innocent children,Use the sanctuary as a cover for his sins,Is not a man that was called by god.The men who Follow Gods teachings are the ones who i think are able to marry.As far as priests marrying priests,if you mean a man marrying another man,NO.If you know anything about the beginning of time,God created the Heavens and Earth.Then He made man,creating woman from Adams ribs.He created Adams and Eve so that they may multiply.Adam and Steve Can't and never will be able to do that.

Answer 5

Of course they should, and a lot of Catholic priests are - just not Roman Catholic ones. Priests in the Byzantine Rite - Ukrainian Catholics are allowed to marry. My husband is the son of a priest, who with his wife had 11 children. Now, interestingly, my own dad was a Deacon in the church - the first married one in our Eparchy. The bishop wanted him to further study to be a priest, but he wouldn't leave my mom and the six kids for so long. As a Deacon he could do everything except hear confessions and consecrate Communion. In fact, once he got ordained he was inundated to do all the pre-marital counselling, since he was married!
Now, my husband and I have a lot of friends who are priests who have wives and families. These men are totally committed to their parishes and the families in them, and the wives and kids realize that dad is on call 24/7 and it can be hard for the family. However, the wives and kids contribute LOTS to the life of the parish - the wives are usually busy in the womens' organization, choir, charities, etc. and the kids as altar servers and youth groups.
There is not as much a shortage of Ukrainian Catholic priests as RC ones, because of this marriage ban. In Europe, it is totally "normal", but here in NA it is just becoming more accepted. More men would serve as priests if they were allowed to marry and have families.
My niece married a Deacon, and he had his ordination as a priest shortly after (you have to be married first and then ordained a priest after). They have two wonderful kids - he's in a big parish, and she is the Theology and Music director.

Answer 6

Yes, priest should be able to marry. The Catholic church banned priests ability to marry primarily to rid any inheritance to the priest's children. There is nothing in the bible about abstinence by priests or not being able to get married. It is a purely politcal reason.

Answer 7

I am also Roman Catholic...I agree with you 100%. While I don't think a change in the law would prevent perverted men from molesting children (which in my opinion has nothing to do with marriage/priesthood) I do think the law is outdated and prevents a lot of good, spiritual men from entering the priesthood!

Answer 8

I whole heartily agree that priests should be able to marry. The last statement you made was right on the money. How can someone give you advice when they have on idea what a marriage is let alone what kind of problems develop.

Answer 9

I am also a born and raised Roman Catholic and I too think that priests should have the ability to marry. They are as human as the rest of us and needs, wants, and desires. I just rack it up to another Canon law that think is outdated and should be looked at for revision.

Answer 10

The history of not letting them mary dates back to the days when Rome was loosing power over the congregations and the good congregations were being heired to the sons of the priests that had them before.
So rome put an end to theis tradition to keep the power and required celebacy. Lots of BS since then.

Answer 11

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.