Why can't Catholic priests get married?

Answer 1

It's amazing that on a forum called "religion & spirituality" there could be such ignorance about religion. In the case of the Catholics, read and educate yourself.

Theologically, the Church desires to imitate the life of Jesus with regard to chastity and the sacrifice of married life for the "sake of the Kingdom" (Luke 18:28-30, Matthew 19:27-30; Mark 10:20-21), and to follow the example of Jesus Christ in being "married" to the Church, viewed by Catholicism and many Christian traditions as the "Bride of Christ". Also of import are the teachings of St. Paul that chastity is the superior state of life, and his desire expressed in I Corinthians 7:7-8, "I would that all men were even as myself [celibate] — but every one has his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that. But I say to the unmarried and the widows. It is good for them if they so continue, even as I."

Practically speaking, the reasons for celibacy are given by the Apostle Paul in I Corinthians 7:7-8;32-35: "But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of this world how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you, but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord without impediment."

Celibacy for priests is a discipline in the Roman Catholic Church, not a doctrine: in other words, a church regulation, but not an integral part of Church teaching. It is based upon the life of Christ and his celibate way of life. However the first pope, St. Peter, as well as many subsequent popes, bishops, and priests during the church's first 270 years were in fact married men, and often fathers. The practice of clerical continence along with a prohibition of marriage to men once ordained a deacon, priest or bishop by the Council of Elvira. This law was reinforced in the West at the Council of Carthage in 390. It remains law today for Latin Rite Catholics, but not for Eastern Catholics. Until recently, the Eastern Catholic bishops of North America would generally ordain only unmarried men, for fear that married priests would create scandal. Since Vatican II's call for the restoration of Eastern Catholic traditions, a number of bishops have returned to the traditional practice of ordaining married men to the presbyterate. Bishops are still celibate and normally chosen from the ranks of monks.

Exceptions are sometimes made (including in Latin-Rite Catholicism), granted by authority of the Pope, when married Protestant clergy become Catholic. Because the rule of celibacy is a law and not a doctrine, it can, in principle, be changed at any time by the Pope. Doctrines, on the other hand, cannot be changed. Nonetheless, both the present Pope, Benedict XVI, and his predecessor, spoke clearly of their understanding that the traditional practice was not likely to change. (For a detailed history of celibacy in the Catholic Church, see the Catholic Encyclopedia's article on "Celibacy of the Clergy" at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm.)

Answer 2

I'm guessing it's because of Paul's words in the New Testament, saying that it if someone is unmarried, they should stay unmarried, etc. A Catholic friend told me that they were, at one point, allowed to marry, but I don't have a source to actually back that claim up. However, what I find strange about the whole thing is that GOD ordained marriage long before the first temple or New Testament church came about. God made Adam and Eve for each other, and pronounced their coming together to be good. It doesn't make sense to me that a priest isn't permitted to get married before he becomes a priest. Yet, if he gets married, and then gets the "call" later in life, they let him marry. What is the difference in the timing of when he got married? Some say that being married will distract a man from his work for the kingdom. However, if he chooses a wife who shares his heart for the church, it can be a great blessing. His wife can be a great blessing to the women of the church. His people can see what a loving, Christian marriage is supposed to look like, so when they come to him for marriage counseling, the woman has a woman to talk to, not just the priest! Although not always showcased, the Bible shows how a godly woman can make a vivid impact on history (Rahab, Esther). Allowing priests to marry can also make the church feel like a more safer place for women. My guess, if I had to make a guess, would be because they wanted to keep women out of the church. Either that, or they wanted the priesthood to become a convenient cover for homosexuals, so men who were not straight could enter the priesthood and be celibate for their entire lives, and it would not seem strange. Please take no offense to that statement.

Answer 3

Can Priests Get Married

Answer 4

Can Priests Marry

Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why can't Catholic priests get married?

Answer 6

Priestly celibacy is a discipline of Latin Rite priests in the Catholic Church. There are 23 Rites and only one has celibate priests. but, even in the Latin Rite some married priests are accepted.

I am a Catholic priest with four children and six grandchildren. No priests are forbidden to marry.

This discipline was started in the eleventh century to stop the sometime occurrence of nepotism and the abuses that occurred as a result.

Celibacy has always been respected in the Church and it is a preferred state of clergy but only some are called to this discipline. Many of the first century apostles were celibate.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 7

Because they're supposed to be dedicating their life to studying the religion and helping their parish, so if they got married there would be a conflict of interest. Their wife would have to be the most important thing in their life, or at least way up there, but theoretically a relationship with a single human being shouldn't be one of a priest's main priorities.

So... if that didn't make sense... part of the idea of a celibate life is to concentrate completely on the religion, and not get distracted by things like dating and family life.

Answer 8

Catholic priests take a vow not to marry. It is their choice. If a man wanted to be a minister in another religion and preach, he could and he could also be married, but not in the Catholic Religion.

Answer 9

Catholic priests haven't been able to get married since one of the first Church Councils between 500 and 1000 AD. It's to ensure that their life is completely devoted to serving God and the lay, and nothing or no one else.

Answer 10

There's nothing in the bible about it, it's just been followed for years. At this point, it's about money. The church would have to pay out a lot more in living expenses to support a family than a single man.

Answer 11

Back in the day when the papacy was in France the Pope and Priests all had mistresses and lovers. Half the churches money was going to pay for all these women with their illegitimate children, and the priests were stealing money from the church to leave in their wills.
Church laws were change to chasity, poverty, and obedience ... this is the law of the church...not God's law. Don't believe me? Open up your history books.