Why can't catholic priest marry?

Question

I was recently having a conversation with a friend on this subject. She said she had heard it was because when you die your possessions go to your spouse and that the church didn't want to lose any properties that their priest may own. This seems a little silly but I don't know the answer myself.

Answer 1

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

Pastor Billy says: a couple inconsistencies with the answer(s) you've already received

1. There are already married Catholic priests. The majority of Catholics in Western countries belong to the Roman rite of the Catholic Church in this rite it is a discipline for priests to stay celibate and not marry however there are other rites such as the Byzantine rite which accept married men into the priesthood. Another 2 groups which receive exceptions into all rites of the Church are widowers, those who have been married and now accept the discipline of celibacy and also convert clergy. see http://www.byzantines.net

2. there is a biblical basis for celibacy of clergy from Old Testament and New as Jesus remains so as did St. Paul. When Mose came upon the Holy mountain God instructed Moses to advise the priests they much not approach the mountain while unclean and the priests had to abstain from contact with their wives for 3 days beforehand this was a precursor of ministerial priesthood.

see http://www.ewtn.com/vondemand/audio/seriessearchprog.asp?seriesID=7080&T1=good+or+evil

and download audiofiles 7&8

3. the issue of property, the irony with this answer is this the early Church received vast donations of land and property and yet to this day many diocesan priests do not take a vow of poverty and do write personal wills where they can given their personal property to anyone they so wish and do. The idea of loss of property is greatly over exaggerated.

4. Behind police officers, Protestant clergy have the highest rate of divorce you would think that if this plan really worked this sin of divorce would not be the case. The reality is this it is hard enough taking care of one family for a man without having to provide for two. When the apostles went out to evangelise does biblical history report of the ones with families taking them along? How can a man provide for a family well enough and yet not be there physically a majority of the time?

Priests are married to the Body of Christ as it should be.

The practice of priestly celibacy is a discipline as already explained and that means it is not dogma hence the practice could change but would that be wise? Just saw the case of the preacher's wife who shot him to death claiming spousal abuse on CNN, the stresses in marriage with clergy must be out of this world.

Answer 3

i'm guessing this is because of the fact of Paul's words in the recent testomony, asserting that it if somebody is single, they might desire to stay single, etc. A Catholic pal instructed me that they have been, at one factor, allowed to marry, yet i don't have a source to fairly returned that declare up. notwithstanding, what i detect unusual regarding the entire ingredient is that GOD ordained marriage lengthy earlier the 1st temple or New testomony church got here approximately. God made Adam and Eve for another, and reported their coming collectively to be reliable. It does not make experience to me that a clergyman isn't accepted to get married earlier he turns right into a clergyman. yet, if he gets married, after which gets the "call" later in existence, they permit him marry. what's the version in the timing of whilst he have been given married? some say that being married will distract a guy from his artwork for the dominion. notwithstanding, if he chooses a spouse who shares his coronary heart for the church, that's a large blessing. His spouse may well be a large blessing to the girls persons of the church. His human beings can see what a loving, Christian marriage is meant to appear as if, so whilst they arrive to him for marriage counseling, the lady has a woman to speak to, not only the priest! regardless of if not continually showcased, the Bible exhibits how a godly lady could make a bright effect on history (Rahab, Esther). permitting priests to marry may additionally make the church experience like a extra safer place for women persons. My wager, if I had to make a wager, may well be because of the fact they had to maintain women persons out of the church. the two that, or they needed the priesthood to become a handy conceal for homosexuals, so adult males who weren't at cutting-edge would desire to pass into the priesthood and be celibate for his or her total lives, and it does not look unusual. Please take no offense to that assertion.

Answer 4

There is truth to what she says. Back in the day when Roman Catholicism was a state religion in Europe and elsewhere, the church lands were not taxed. As the church became more powerful and acquired more land, this caused the rulers a headache, because they were losing so much taxable revenue for the crown. People in the church would just keep acquiring property in their family and pass it on to the next generation. The state put a stop to that.

The church claims other reasons. Really, it all comes down to tradition. The Catholic Church is extremely conservative and cannot bear to change things like this.

Answer 5

Originally your friend is correct - that and the priests of old were using church property and money to pay personal debts.

Now it is more so they can dedicate themselves to the Church and the members.

There are a lot of other reasons as well.

Answer 6

They are married.

They are married to their Church.

How could you spend your life praying when you would have to spend so much time entertaining your wife?

Spending time with my wife is practically a full-time job. I can hardly work 40 hours each week, how could I spend time EVERY DAY praying, also? There is just not enough time in the day.

---Saying that the rule was instituted so that the Church would "get" the priest's meager possessions is preposterous. Typical Church hatred.

Answer 7

That's actually correct, the original reason was inheritance, as the Church was at a time continually losing money to heirs of the priests for its possessions. The focus was later re-shifted such that the priesthood it represents a marriage to God and chastity makes one holier.

Answer 8

A priest has few personal belongings on account of their vow of poverty. Much of what they do "have/use" is not owned by priests themselves. It belongs to the parish they minister to.

Next time that topic comes up, try this:

Celibacy is Church Practice, Not Dogma
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.

Answer 9

I believe that is the real reason that this rule was instituted by the Roman Catholic Church.

Answer 10

They have to make sure that God is there #1 priority. If they had wives how much devotion to God would there be? They would have a nagging wife to do things for.