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.
2007-09-22 18:34:08
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answer #1
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answered by imacatholic2 7
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You might want to get the FACTS before you start repeating accusations that you've been taught.
Catholics did NOT remove the second commandment. That's a very easily disproved LIE. We just number things a little differently. Our first commandment is "I am the Lord your God, you shall have no other gods before me, you shall not make idols for yourselves" -- which is your 1st & 2nd. We combine them because they speak of the same issue -- making God #1.
Then we split out your #10 into our #9 and #10 because coveting your neighbor's wife is a very, very different thing than coveting your neighbor's possessions.
And dude, we're all about the Bible in the Catholic Church. Sometime, you should stop in a Catholic Mass and write down all the Scripture you hear. I mean, when you are a little more familiar with what the Bible says. Most of the Mass is word-for-word out of Scripture, and worship of Christ is the main even. It's way cool. Just come and watch sometime. We won't try to convert you. We leave that sort of thing up to the Holy Spirit.
2007-09-24 12:26:47
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answer #2
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answered by sparki777 7
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The Catholic church is not a cult. You know that. Otherwise you wouldn't waste your time attempting to put the Church down. Your resources are weak, and for some reason you just come off as a very angry person who perhaps doesn't read their own Bible.
2007-09-24 23:02:15
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answer #3
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answered by maphiaLu™ 4
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If you read number 4, I guess all Christians belong to a cult...
The definition of "Cult"
cult (kult) –noun
1. a particular system of religious worship, esp. with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
2. an instance of great veneration of a person, ideal, or thing, esp. as manifested by a body of admirers: the physical fitness cult.
3. the object of such devotion.
4. a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.
5. Sociology. a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols.
6. a religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.
7. the members of such a religion or sect.
8. any system for treating human sickness that originated by a person usually claiming to have sole insight into the nature of disease, and that employs methods regarded as unorthodox or unscientific.
Something to think about...
2007-09-24 17:25:31
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answer #4
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answered by Bob 5
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You don't have to worry cause all of the ten commandments are still in tacked. Theres a differnce between a staue and an idol. Idols are worshiped and statues are basicaly photographs. Catholics DO NOT worship statues.
2007-09-23 22:10:01
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answer #5
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answered by pepgurli 7
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Actually what it says is
"If a man desires the position of a bishop,he desires a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money,but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil."
This means not that he must be married but that in contrast to deacons where it refers to "their wives" 4 verses later - a bishop must only have 1 wife if married. It is a maximum not a minimum.
The bible also says in 1 Corinthians 7
"It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. " (again - only 1 a maximum not minimum)
(1Cor 7 cont'd)
"... But I say this as a concession, not as a commandment. For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry."
and again
"He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife"
Oh - Yes - we READ the bible.
Now have you read it for yourself or can you only repeat (or link to) what others have said
----
Followup
Oh I should leave this alone as you obviously won't listen. but The Church doesn't teach you can work your way into heaven. Again it is Scriptural James 1:22 - listen AND act, James 2: 14-26 Faith if not accompanied by action, is dead
as for the second commandment - we didn't remove it - even JErry Falwell says we didn't remove it. It is part of the first.
2007-09-22 20:37:47
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answer #6
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answered by treehse65 4
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Oh, wonderful. Chick tract theology again.
Yes, as a matter of fact, I do read the Bible. Daily. Many of us do.
treehse65 answered you well, and I second the answer.
2007-09-22 20:51:34
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answer #7
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answered by Clare † 5
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JESUS IS LORD, and love, mercy, and so much more!!
We are in agreement on that, but have you ever heard
the old sayin', you can catch more flies with honey than
vinegar? Let you love shine, not your hostility.
Go in God's grace and peace. Jesus is God manifest in
the flesh.
2007-09-22 21:19:56
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answer #8
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answered by TruthSeeker 4
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Have you read the WHOLE Bible instead of just bits and pieces?
2007-09-22 20:46:11
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answer #9
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answered by Ten Commandments 5
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You seem to be questioning priestly celibacy as well as the alleged practice of idolatry (I assume idolatry is the subject of your 'second commandment' claim).
First, Celibacy:
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.
Now, Idolatry:
Deut. 4:15 - from this verse, Protestants say that since we saw "no form" of the Lord, we should not make graven images of Him.
Deut. 4:16 - of course, in early history Israel was forbidden to make images of God because God didn't yet reveal himself visibly "in the form of any figure."
Deut. 4:17-19 - hence, had the Israelites depicted God not yet revealed, they might be tempted to worship Him in the form of a beast, bird, reptile or fish, which was a common error of the times.
Exodus 3:2-3; Dan 7:9; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32; Acts 2:3- later on, however, we see that God did reveal himself in visible form (as a dove, fire, etc).
Deut. 5:8 - God's commandment "thou shall not make a graven image" is entirely connected to the worship of false gods. God does not prohibit images to be used in worship, but He prohibits the images themselves to be worshiped.
Exodus 25:18-22; 26:1,31 - for example, God commands the making of the image of a golden cherubim. This heavenly image, of course, is not worshiped by the Israelites. Instead, the image disposes their minds to the supernatural and draws them to God.
Num. 21:8-9 - God also commands the making of the bronze serpent. The image of the bronze serpent is not an idol to be worshiped, but an article that lifts the mind to the supernatural.
I Kings 6:23-36; 7:27-39; 8:6-67 - Solomon's temple contains statues of cherubim and images of cherubim, oxen and lions. God did not condemn these images that were used in worship.
2 Kings 18:4 - it was only when the people began to worship the statue did they incur God's wrath, and the king destroyed it. The command prohibiting the use of graven images deals exclusively with the false worship of those images.
1 Chron. 28:18-19 - David gives Solomon the plan for the altar made of refined gold with a golden cherubim images. These images were used in the Jews' most solemn place of worship.
2 Chron. 3:7-14 - the house was lined with gold with elaborate cherubim carved in wood and overlaid with gold.
Ezek. 41:15 - Ezekiel describes graven images in the temple consisting of carved likenesses of cherubim. These are similar to the images of the angels and saints in many Catholic churches.
Col. 1:15 - the only image of God that Catholics worship is Jesus Christ, who is the "image" (Greek "eikon") of the invisible God.
2007-09-24 11:38:38
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answer #10
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answered by Daver 7
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