Since there are many married priests, why does the Catholic church still require celibacy for most priests?

Question

I actually met a married priest at my husband's grandpa's funeral, if you don't believe there are any.

http://www.marriedpriests.org/Resources.htm

Answer 1

If an Anglican priest, married and validly ordained by a bishop with apostolic succession, enters into the Catholic Church, he remains a priest and married. Also, there are many eastern rite priests, that are Catholic, but not Roman Catholic, who are normally allowed to marry. It is a part of their discipline. Examples include Ukrainian Catholic priests, Ruthenian Catholic, Byzantine Catholic, etc.

Celibacy for ordinary clergy (those under a bishop in a diocese) is a discipline required by the Church for priests, but not a requirement for the sacrament of ordination. The discipline can change, so married priesthood is a viable option in the future. Though, I doubt parishes would be so thrilled with the idea when they realize that would mean they have to support, not just the priest, but his family too... braces, broken legs, eye glasses, etc. For the Catholic priets, celibacy is so that the man might completely dedicate his life to the calling of the priesthood and to the service of Christ. And if he does that, I'm sure he won't be molesting any altar boys (more tea vicar).

Answer 2

+ Married Priests +

In the last twenty-five years at least seventy-seven married men have been ordained as Catholic priests in the United States.

Sixty-six of these married priests are former Episcopalians, seven are former Lutherans, three are former Methodists, and one is a former Presbyterian.

Here is an interesting article: http://www.corpus.org/Page.cfm?Web_ID=577

+ Celibate Priests +

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."

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."

Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

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, and 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 3

partly. this concept of a celibate clergy got here from the Jews, John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul. The Jews. The Talmud argues that a individual whose “soul is definite up with the Torah and is consistently all for it” would stay celibate (Maimonides, regulations of Marriage 15.3). working example, Yahweh ordered the prophet Jeremiah to no longer marry (Jeremiah sixteen:a million-4). besides, the Essenes became a team that became lively in Jesus’ time that practiced celibacy and concept via maximum scholars to be the authors of the lifeless Sea Scrolls. WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did no longer marry. John the Baptist and Jesus are the two believed to have been celibate for their total lives. some scholars have self belief that the occasion of the Essenes inspired the two or the two Jesus and John the Baptist of their celibacy. The Apostle Paul is specific approximately his celibacy (see a million Cor. 7). there is likewise data interior the gospel of Matthew for the prepare of celibacy between a minimum of a few early Christians, interior the in call for passage approximately transforming into “eunuchs for the sake of the dominion of heaven” (Matt. 19:12). the assumption took many twists and turns over the years and could probable take some extra formerly Christ returns in glory. With love in Christ.

Answer 4

There are SOME married priests but not many. These priests are either from an Eastern Rite or they were converted from an Episcopal Church where they already were married and the stature of celibacy was waved for them but, if their wife dies they cannot remarry. The priests are basically married to their Church and do not have time to deal with a wife and family too. You cannot serve two masters.

Answer 5

I agree Catholic church does have the requirement that I do not like it either. Most of the apostles who Jesus used to spread his message were married also. In the regard it does not make any sense to have the celibacy. They need to get rid of that rule so that priest shortage is minimized.

Answer 6

I heard that the only people they can find nowadays to be priests are repentent, ie in denial, homosexuals. Since there is no one else, the church accepts them with open arms, but demands that the sinners abandon the sin. Hence, celibacy.

Answer 7

Yes, I went to Ascension Mass which was presided at by a married priest whose wife was handing out the hymnbooks.

Answer 8

I know of married priests but most of them have left the priesthood. I agree with you that priests should be allowed to marry but his should be optional like the Orthodox Church.

Peace and blessings!

Answer 9

Good question...

Priesthood, as judges, servants, and teachers of the people, is a very serious responsibility. No avenues of accusation or vulnerability can be allowed to remain unnoticed, so they must be prevented before ordination...
...Look what happened to Adam...(GEN. 3)
And no one will respect a hypocritical teacher, but many will follow them!
Yet, Genesis also seems to command that a man must leave father and mother and cleave to his wife...it does not make this optional...so are you a man, or a priest, or something else? What about "go ye forth and multiply"? When a man enters priesthood does he lose his status as a man? Yes, according to Jesus. Slaves of God, they become, along with immunity to worldly judgements (and diseases). Is it worth the trade-off? Ask a priest!
Deu 7:14 Thou shalt be blessed above all peoples: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.
Deu 7:15 And Jehovah will take away from thee all sickness; and none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, will he put upon thee, but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.
Deu 7:16 And thou shalt consume all the peoples that Jehovah thy God shall deliver unto thee; thine eye shall not pity them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.

Answer 10

In the USA there are not supposed to be any Catholic Priests who are married.

If you met one....he's not open and up front about it.

Anglican Priests however can marry.