Why does the Catholic Church finally abolish celibacy?

Question

I live in a very small community, however, yesterday a mass was held by a bishop because severy small communities had to be joined together due to a lack of Catholic priests. Wouldn't more men choose priest as an occupation if they could get married or have sexual intercourse?

Sorry, of course I meant "when" instead of why... oops...

Answer 1

Many people will point to the Church's tradition on why priests and nuns must remain celibate, but there are many other reasons for this. First of all, as far as priests go, they are called to be representatives of Christ. For this reason they are only men (all 12 apostles were male) and they are celibate. They are celibate so that they can fully give themselves to their parish and be a spiritual father to that parish. If you are Catholic and you have been through an illness in the family you know that one of the first things you do when a family member is gravely ill is call the priest to give confession and last rights. The priest, therefore, must be available 24/7 to his parish. If you talk with a priest, you will understand that there truly is not enough time in his life for a family in many cases. They are very busy people because of their commitment to their congregation.

There are a few exceptions to the rules which you may be familiar with. First of all, if you are an Eastern Catholic (Byzantine) then your priests are allowed to marry. Additionally, if a Protestant minister who is married converts to Catholicism, they are allowed to become a priest.

I personally do not think that Protestant ministers should be able to become priests if they are married because it limits them being able to fully invest themselves in their parish. I understand wanting to bring in bright men of God but it just doesn't seem fair to the other priests in my opinion, and I am not sure they can serve as well as a chaste priest can.

Lastly, in response to granny, please do some psychology research. There is nothing that links living a chaste lifestyle to pedophilia. The connection is simply not there as much as people like to pretend that it is. Pedophiles simply seek out careers which allow them access to children, and the priesthood used to be a great career for that, though it isn't any longer. Look at public school teachers of late, especially female public school teachers...this is happening everywhere.

Answer 2

Men do not choose to be priests. God chooses them.

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

One of the biggest problems in the catholic church is that they feel that a man cannot be a successful priest if he is married and of course they are not to have sex because that's considered fornication and therefore a sin. But because they are not allowed to do with their bodies what comes naturally, they go around molesting children, sexually molesting female parishoners and having illicit sex with nuns. This I think would be a bigger sin than allowing them to be married and fulfill their roles as men. If this was allowed like all the other religions then they would have their pick of good men who would love to view the priesthood as an occupation not a hiding place for their sexual problems.

Answer 4

Celibacy is a guy made regulation of the church. Popes & cardinals all used to marry & have little ones centuries in the past. If clergymen have been allowed to marry it would provide them an more desirable incite into kin existence wouldn`t it?

Answer 5

I agree I kind of think they should be allowed to as well, and I'm a Catholic.

I hate to say that because those vows are traditions and are very serious to show that level of commitment to spreading the word of God. I think if the wife can take her husband being gone alot due to work, ie community work etc etc than maybe they should consider changing the vows.

Answer 6

The Catholic Church is not likely to abolish celibacy:

While it is discipline, not Dogma, it is still based on Biblical precedent:

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 7

Yes. There would be fewer horny priests seducing little boys. And less frustrated nuns taking their sexual frustrations out on children with rules to the hand.

Answer 8

the role of a priest is to give themselves to god the role of a married man is to give himself to his wife and family