Aestheticism did not used to be required by the church. It was available to those who chose it, but not required of people who wished to serve but did not feel that celibacy was for them.
Making celibacy universal was actually a political move that made sure rich priests did not have progeny. That meant that all of their possessions went into the church coffers when they died.
2007-08-08 09:13:00 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This outdated and mistaken idea is part of what keeps the Eastern Orthodox separate.
It has also caused the Catholic Church to lose very large groups of devout congregations.
2007-08-08 09:14:59 · update #1
catholics stick to old traditions
2007-08-08 09:15:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 C.E. 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.
2007-08-08 16:24:15 · answer #2 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Catholic (my parents were though), anyway, from what news coverage I've seen of the current Pope, he seems like a very traditional guy - If I had to guess, I'd say we probably won't be seeing any major church policy changes from him anytime soon regardless of the policy's origination.
2007-08-08 09:18:26 · answer #3 · answered by daisyk 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If priest are allowed to marry all of a sudden, then the catholic church, who pays for the housing of hundreds of thousands of Priests, would have to support their spouses as well.
Think about the cost.
2007-08-08 09:16:30 · answer #4 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I am not telling how the new pope thinks; but it may be founded on the Catholic Bible Wisdom 3:14.
2007-08-08 09:18:24 · answer #5 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot figure out why this Pope is so archaic... his former affiliation with Nazi Germany doesn't help either...
I have really thought about it and I just can't figure him out.
He is protecting child molesters, making alliances with Muslims but shutting out Jews and Christians.
It just doesn't really make much sense... if you are the Pope...
It's like watching someone play Monopoly really badly...
2007-08-08 09:18:04 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You have really answered your own questions - traditions that are bound tightly to various churches theology.
2007-08-08 09:19:00 · answer #7 · answered by Old Lady 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My theory is that they are afraid that changing the rule would imply that the rule wasn't perfect in the first place.
2007-08-08 09:18:39 · answer #8 · answered by Graciela, RIRS 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The new pope is a douche
2007-08-08 09:18:44 · answer #9 · answered by Nazdravan 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
c'mon, then who'll love the altar boys. Altar boys need man-love too.
2007-08-08 09:16:24 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋