Why is it that priests can't marry but ministers, pastors, deacons and such can?

Question

Yes I know preists are Catholic and the rest aren't so I guess the better question might be...Why are Catholics the only religion in which church officals aren't allowed to get married? Or are there other religions that can't either?

Yes I forgot about the monks...I know they can't marry either.

Thanks Father K, I did not know that.

Answer 1

I am a happily married Priest. I am most assuredly a Catholic. I am not "Roman Catholic", so - your question needs specificity.

As for the "Roman" Catholic reasons:

PLEASE NOTE: 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 2

For your information there are married Roman Catholic priests and Deacons. The celibacy rule is not something taken lightly and those that do not want to remain celibate do not have to be priests. Why do people try to judge things of God who has said "My kingdom is not of this world" by this world's standards?

You don't hear abunch of people crying the blues about how John the Baptist should have been married have you? It is just that people believe, from recent Media's leadings, that it is OPEN SEASON on the Catholic Church. I assure you there will be a comeuppance.

Answer 3

The basic idea in the Catholic church is to devote their life to God. Nuns become the brides of Jesus. Obviously, things dont always work out for everyone who enters the priesthood or the different convents. I was raised and schooled in the Catholic faith and have never known of a priest or nun who was anything but devout. It's really a shame that the rotten apples slip in to ruin the bunch.

Answer 4

That rule may soon be a thing of the past. The Church has had to relax it's restrictions in order to recruit priests. For example, priests who are widowers are now allowed to be ordained, whereas years ago that never would have happened.

Also, the Church is coming to accept altar girls so that may lead to female deacons (at least, if not priests) in the future.

Answer 5

Turns out to be a very, very bad idea...don't you think? Of course the child molesters,,,better know as Gay priests,,since only little boys were the focus...would have done what they did, whether they were married or not....

Sorry, I'm still upset about the Catholic Church, covering up such a heinous cancer in their midst..and I'll bet it is still there,,,just more undercover..They didn't even check to see if any Gay nuns were doing the same to the young girls they bring into the nunnery...

There is no biblical reason for them not to marry....but the bible does say, they can have only one wife..I don't think an unmarried man can be a good Pastor or Priest for that matter,,,they haven't clue, the problems that face families....you need experience for that....

Answer 6

A priest is supposed to Be There for his parisheners when ever they need him. A husband is supposed to Be There for his wife whenever she needs him. See conflict? Also, taking a vow of poverty ensures that the money given to the church goes into the church and not for new shoes for the kids or a third computer or i-pod etc. Of course there's corruption everywhere, so that is the was it is Meant to work.

Answer 7

Priests take a vow of celibacy which means they won't marry. It does not mean they cannot have sex. They do not take a vow of chastity. The nuns do that. Why? Who knows. It would be better (and safer for the alter boys) if priests were allowed to marry. It would eliminate a lot of problems.

Answer 8

Priests must take a vow of chastity when they enter into the priesthood. this is in deference to the idea that Christ was pure and never married or had intimacy with a woman

Answer 9

That was part of the Protestant reformation. Catholic priests are the only ones to maintain a vow of celibacy. We can see how well that has worked out.

Answer 10

maybe Greek Orthodoxy? that was the first church to break from the catholic church. I don't believe budist monks are allowed to marry either.