What are you views on Roman Catholic priests and marriage?

Question

Do you support the church's position or do you think they should be allowed to marry? Why?

Thanks!

Answer 1

I think they should be allowed to marry. I feel the idea that they should be celibate comes from the fact that Paul said no one should get married, all should focus on God, but right after saying that Paul also said I know you're full of lust and needs though and so will probably have to get married, then he gave them information on how to have a decent marriage. I'm quoting him liberally. Paul understood that the sexual desire and need for love was human nature. So like Paul, I think they should be given a choice. They should be allowed to be celibate if they want and they should be allowed to be married if they want.

Answer 2

Well, "behonest," how do you explain the equivalent percentage of Protestant pastors, who are married, who are guilty of the same kinds of sins which you attribute only to Catholic clergy?

Or of married teachers, Scout leaders, police officers, businessmen.......

As with most of these kinds of crimes, they are not because of the lack of availability of "appropriate outlet," but of pathololgy and evil.

As to the original question, as a practice, priestly celibacy is a discipline, which can be modified as the culture permits. In fact, there are married Catholic priests, and the Eastern Catholic Churches (rites) do allow married priests as a matter of course.

I think it is an appropriate discipline for this time. One only has to look at the challeneges the married pastorate faces in the Protestant community to see the wisdom of the celibate priesthood. Too many families are marginalized, the stresses on spouses and children damage family life, the lack of pay available to adequately support families in so many congregations forces many to become bivocational, and the relative job insecurity creates worry. The Catholic priest has only to focus on his relationship to God and his flock, without worry as to the needs of a family.

Answer 3

They should be allowed to marry and history has shown us why! It is hard enough to walk upright in a crooked world. When you begin to add to God's Word and put additional limitations on an already weak being you are creating a formula for trouble. I bet many of the priests that have molested boys, girls or any type of parishioner would not ever have done such things if they were allowed to marry and express the physical desires of sexuality within the bonds of marriage. Not allowing priests or nuns to marry is just another way the the Catholic Church exerts control on the masses in an unbiblically sound way.

Answer 4

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."

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.

+ 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."

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.

+ Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."

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.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."

This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

+ Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."

Paul acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

+ In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."

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.

+ 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
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 5

Catholic "priests" need to get saved, then they'll understand anything from the Bible.

The Bible says that all believers are priests to God. The Bible assumes most church leaders to be married. The few that weren't were like Paul, traveling around to share the Gospel. He simply couldn't be married and as easily do what he did.

The catholic cult is not Christian. Catholics believe a false gospel of works that leads to eternal hell.

They work for salvation, thus creating a false "righteous" garment that is rejected by Jesus as not His righteous garment that He gives us by faith alone:

Matthew 22
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.

13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Answer 6

The Orthodox Churches are happy to accept priests who want to marry. As long as the Catholic church doesn't, my religion will continue to benefit. So, I say, let the Catholic church continue to be nutty.

Answer 7

Well, this is a "discipline", not a doctrine or dogma, so it could change in the future.
However, Paul does say that it is better to remain unmarried if you can, and Jesus never got married, so make out of that what you will.

Answer 8

Of course I support the Magisterium of the church,it is they who define the boundaries of the Priesthood and not myself or any other lay person.

Answer 9

Wern't they married long ago, and somebody changed their mind, and then they messed with nuns, and buried lots of babies bones underground in a tunnels..and now boys, and such...yea, i think it's time for them all to relieve their sexual frustration and get back to the original way before things were messed up..."think?"

Answer 10

I think that they should be allowed to marry. I believe that men are sexual beings and that they need that release;)