Celibacy, is this the true reason the church originally forbade clergy to marry? (cont'd)?

Question

In the 12th Century clergy were forbidden to marry to prevent property passing from the church to their families?

Some of us actually thought it had to do more with some kind of morality or sexual purity but no, it was just about church finances and property.

See short letter here:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/debate/letters/article2317258.ece

Answer 1

Yes, I think that is the reason. As usual, everything boils down to harsh economics!

Very few things about the Church is cute, cosy 'n' caring IMO!

Answer 2

First of all, I can tell you that this "article" is bonk because the idea that the church once declared that the idea that it "owns no property" is a heresy is utterly ridiculous. The church does not declare things like that to be a heresy. When it comes to declaring heresy they only deal with faith and morals, not real-estate. Second, the official recommendation that priests should not marry came in the 19th century, not the 20th like the "article" says. But even then it was being practiced from the very beginning, just not necessarily by everyone.

It is possible that there were some less than holy clergymen that had the idea of not passing property onto others outside the church, but the basis for the teaching has never had anything to do with that. Nevertheless, when you consider how things worked at the time, this was not an irrational way of thinking.

Jesus himself did not marry. And there were times in the NT that some of the married apostles wanted to go back to their wives, and Jesus rebuked them. Second, although not a new doctrine, pope john paul clearly outlined the theology behind priestly celibacy in his "Theology of the body". One of the things he teaches is that marriage is a foreshadowing of heaven. The union between man and woman joining together to create a family is how God created us in His likeness and image. Because the very essence of God is family. Preists, for the sake of the kingdom, forego this earthly foreshadowing, to go straight for the real thing. With a wife and kids this would not be possible.

If this was really about money then why do priests also take a vow of poverty?

Furthermore, even many protestants will admit that there their ministers are not as available to their flock due to family obligations. Priests on the other hand do not share that dilema.

Answer 3

Yes, this is partly true. Property that belonged to the church was being handed down to the son who became a priest.

It should be noted that this does not prevent a priest from giving his possessions to nieces, nephews, brother and sisters when he dies.

In addition to this, men were encouraging their sons to become priests in order to keep the power, prestige and influence associated with the position of parish priest in the family.

Today, you can see the leadership of Evangelical churches pass from father to son even though the son has had no training or education in preaching or theology.

Answer 4

Probably! For it is an aweful practice. Family and marrage is a spiritual growth tool like none other. To say otherwise is unwise. Family requires someone of faith to put their belife in action. Jesus was married, but it was stricken from the bible to make a support fo the practice now.
Celibacy promotes perversion and we are seeing this today within many clergy.
We need to reverse that. Being celebant does not make anyone closer to God in any way. God is already within each of us, how much closer can it get???
So your hypothesis is probably right on!

Answer 5

I once heard an Enlightened Master say that celibacy is not something that you can do, it is something that happens. In this context, you can see why the church has such a problem. They make people take a vow to "DO"it. This is suppression and as you can see suppression leads to a perversion instead of a perfection!

Answer 6

Not true. It's to do with having no other priorities/distractions over your faith and teaching. Priests do not have money/property to pass on, and they shouldn't have children to pass *nothing* on to. You can easily spot the anti-Catholics on this page! You're prepared to accept any erroneous answer without any proper proof.

Answer 7

There are always different schools of thought, I understood it to be because St. Augustus felt that priests should devote their lives wholly to Christ. I have also heard it said it was because priests can be sent to places that would be unsuitable for a family.

Answer 8

Yes, I think that was a major reason. The idea I was taught in catechism was that they should not have divided attention and concentrate on their religious duties. But the fact is, married priests and ministers tend to get their families involved in their ministry, and that ends in being more service to the church, not less.

Answer 9

No it was all to do with church property etc. And you only need to look as far as Pope Alexander VI to see how little celibacy actually meant. He fathered seven children, some of whom became cardinals in the vatican.

Answer 10

The scriptures say that a man is to be the husband of one wife having in subjection children with all seriousness. But if a man wanted to devote his life to God it would be better for him not to marry as his attentions would be divided between God and his family...The bible doesn't forbid marriage...the catholics do.