Catholic Popes and celibacy?

Question

Why are popes not to marry? Peter (who they believe to be their 1st pope) was married? So why can't they now? Not just popes but all of their men called by God.

Reference Mark 1: 29-31

Answer 1

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 2

Actually, a pope can be any Catholic male, married or not. The pope doesn't even have to be a priest or bishop prior to election. However, simply because of the vast number of Catholics out there in the world, the papal elections have pretty much been limited to the cardinals who vote, most likely because they know each other very well and are more able to discern which would be a good pope among them, rather than opening up the field to just anybody.

The discipline of priestly celibacy is not permanent. There have been married priests in the past, and there are married priests today (one Episcopalian church in Texas converted as a whole parish -- they retained their married priest who is now a Catholic priest with the Bishop's blessing). However, for practical reasons, priests are asked to voluntarily take a vow of celibacy so they can devote all their energies to ministry.

I used to be protestant and worked for seven pastors at a large church, all of whom are married. It was very, very difficult for them to balance the demands of the church with the demands of their families -- both important and neither ever quits. Being a minister is a 24/7 job, not a 9-5, Sunday-through-Thursday job, plus a minster's family has the added pressure of being judged and found wanting at every turn by the congregation.

Answer 3

Basically because they are foregoing marriage for the sake of the kingdom. Here's how to see it. God created us as male and female. When a man and woman come together in an act of true love they become one flesh, and in 9 months they give that love a name. This consitutes a family. Perhaps the best word we have to describe God is "family." It's also why we say He created us in His image, because God is a family. So the union that is marriage is actually a foreshadowing of our union with God in Heaven. Now in the case of a priest or the pope, they are foregoing this earthly union to begin the union with God in heaven.

Not to mention that there is also biblical evidence. For more info click on the link below.

http://www.catholic.com/library/celibacy_and_the_priesthood.asp

Answer 4

Many years ago Popes were married, there is nothing in any scripture that says a priest can't marry.
But, one of the Vatican counsels (don't recall which one) said Priests were not to marry because they couldn't really devote their attention to the people of their churches then.
It's like they would be more concerned if Bobby or Nancy made it to school today than trying to administer to problems of their flock

Answer 5

In the Eastern teachings celibacy is an occurrence, not something that you should practice. This is where the Catholic church has failed terribly. Suppressing sexual urges, as is evidenced by the church, leads to all kinds of perversion. Priests should be allowed to marry if they choose. Sooner or later these sexual tendencies would fall away on their own accord. Just as in old age the sexual desire falls away, it is natural. What isn't natural- isn't appropriate.

Answer 6

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 7

No! He shouldn't and can't. As a clergyman, you're giving your self to God and his human beings. How can one completely provide himself to God if he has a kin that he would desire to worry approximately. God is not the middle of your existence. you do not replace right into a clergyman in one day. you have an excellent variety of time before you're taking those very final vows, which one occurs to be celibacy. You provide your self completely to God. You provide up all worldly needs consisting of those of the Flesh. Jesus taught us to call God, "Our Father" which makes us all "One kin" as One kin we are Brothers and Sisters. are you able to look upon your sister with prefer. No! " Lead us not into temptation, yet, supply us from evil!" You given your self to God in service of His human beings. Your needs and concerns are those of the folk, none of what could be your individual. Like I stated before, you're given an excellent variety of time before you're making that very final dedication. in case you may not completely commit your self and sacrifice all, then starting to be a clergyman isn't for you. there are various different places in the Church which you will serve. a clergyman's Love could be one in each and every of kin, not one in each and every of prefer. ~ those Priest that have molested little ones, or have been with women individuals, could be defrocked and excommunicated from the Church. those that have molested little ones could be dealt with with the help of the regulation, which would be not something in comparison with what awaits them in the after-existence. there'll be no Mercy for them. in case you prefer to serve God, then you relatively would desire to serve Him completely. you may not serve 2 Masters!, The spouse being the different

Answer 8

Well Pope Joan certainly wasn't celibate, if we are to believe any part of the legend. She was a cross-dressing woman who slept around.

Answer 9

Read this:

http://catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp

Answer 10

Yeah, I'd like to know the answer to that one.