Why can't Catholic priests marry?

Question

Why can't Catholic priests marry? I was told it is because of purity issues, but what was the original reason? It became a rule during the Nicene Convention, but why exactly did they do this? Any feedback would be welcome.

Answer 1

The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 C.E. There were married and celibate priests, bishops, and popes before this time.

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.

With love in Christ.

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

The western Catholic Church does not allow priests to marry because Jesus did not marry and they want to be most like unto Jesus. There is nothing essentially wrong with marriage, as a matter of fact, marriage is a gift from God just like celibacy. The Eastern Catholic Church allows men who are married before being ordained a deacon to marry. So the traditions from East to West within the same Catholic Church can be different based upon history and an understanding of theology that allows for both.
The western or Latin Church's discipline does not allow priests to marry. It has been found over the centuries, that in the west a married priesthood has created some problems. But on the positive side, is also allows the priest to live a totally Christ like life. Jesus was celibate (never sinned and sex outside marriage would be a sin) and Jesus never married.(clearly such an important thing would have been in the gospels).

Answer 4

Catholic priests can be married in the Byzantine Rite. In the Latin Rite (ie Roman Rite), they follow the Pauline tradition.

For Passages that show a preference for celebacy, read:

Mt 19:11-12 (obviously Jesus' words, not Paul)
1 Cor 7:1-7
1 Cor 7:32-38

The biggest thing to take away here is that the married priest would be divided in their interests between family and congregation. A celebate priest is free to serve more fully his family of his parish. (See Christ's promise Mt 19:29-30, Mk 10:2--31 & Lk 18:29-30)

Even so, celebacy was prefigured in the Old Testament:

1 Sam 21:5
Is 52:11
Lev 21:6-7

It has been a discipline for about the last 1000 years in the Latin Rite. If you run accross a priest who is married in the Latin Rite, then he is most likely a convert, most common were Anglican.

Those who enter into the ministry, know full well in advance that celebacy is part of the call. They move forward with that understanding.

Answer 5

While some of the Catholic laws/rules may seem outlandish, I think there are many people who do not realize they are based on Scripture, as they should be if we are following the teachings of Christ and not man-made ideas and whims. True there are married priests and for me this is fine. For years, I would have left the room if someone spoke of married priests, but since then I have come to know an orthodox priest who is married and I can see that he relates to the people very very well, is actually part of the community in a deeper sense because he shares many of the same worries, trials and blessings as they do. On the other hand, it is true he could be called away at any given moment for hospital calls, funerals, weddings, baptisms, counselling etc., but we must consider a woman with children who is married to a doctor, policeman, coroner etc. - they are called away too. So, the priest who does marry, must be using good discernment in choosing a wife who supports and shares his faith, understands his ministry and sees the importance of saving souls. I once heard, that if we marry someone that loves God more than us, we will be happy. Why? Because they will always put Him first considering the importance of a virtuous life and family - souls. I also saw a beautiful Baptism at an Orthodox Church done by the Priest for his own baby and I must say, it was such a blessing for me and the baby to see a baby baptized by her own father. The way it was done, was also very ancient and took my mind and heart right back to the times Jesus was walking the earth. Now for Scripture - states -

Jesus was speaking with the apostles about marriage and they said to him, "If that is the way it is with married people, then why bother?" Jesus responded saying, "Let anyone who understands this, understand it." Paul said, "It is better if you can live like me, but marriage and children are a blessing."
"Being concerned of the things of the world or of the spirit."

Of course scripture teaches us that Jesus was VERY undivided in his love for his Father and his whole life was about his ministry and mission to save souls. This is what the priest tries to do. I don't think God is saying that the unmarried priest is holier because he has the time and potential to save more in numbers, but that anyone committed to Him in love and service, will receive his help in accomplishing the work. Every little bit helps! It is a grace from God to live celibate and a priest and his community must pray for that grace daily. Are clergy and parishners praying today?? Sometimes I wonder with the way things are watered-down.....Then scripture also mentions those who were made that way (eunichs) for the kingdom. It also has been presented to us very much in the past decade or so, that celibacy has attracted a lot of trouble, sorrow and shame. I shudder at times to think how far back this has been going on and how may innocent people/children went to their graves keeping quiet as was the custom. There are true accusations and false accusations; both of which one considering a celibate life, must take very seriously. I "think" celibacy started in the 3rd century - who was actually on that council and what was their lifestyle??

Answer 6

Celibacy is mandatory in the Latin Rite as a matter of discipline. It came to be thought, in the West, that priests could more perfectly fulfill their duties if they remained unmarried. This follows Paul's advice.

When a man becomes a priest in the Latin Rite, he knows that he will not be able to marry. Marriage is a good thing (in fact Catholics acknowledge that Christ elevated marriage to a sacrament), but it is something priests are willing to forgo for the sake of being better priests. No one is forced to be a priest(or a nun, for that matter; nuns also do no marry) so no Catholic is forced to be celibate. Those who want to take the vows of the religious life should not object to having to follow the rules.

Answer 7

Because a priest's church, and the property is sits on, was always given to the priest in order to avoid messy tax issues. When he died the property would go back to the Vatican, who would then give it to the new priest.

But if he married the wife would inherit the land and the building. So priests can't marry because the Vatican wanted to consolidate its land holdings.

Answer 8

First of all, priests are not forbidden to marry, it is a discipline instead freely accepted by celibate priests. Another error in your question is that it was not an issue of the Council of Nicaea but the discipline evolved mush later in the twelfth century for many reasons most of all, IMO because of nepotism where Bishops were passing on their bishopric to their sons.

We do have many married priests in the Church. I am, in fact a married priest. there are 23 Rites in the Catholic Church all in communion with Rome and accepting the authority of the Pope. Of these 23 Rites, only one the Latin Rite requires the discipline of celibacy for some priests. The others all accept married priests. Even in the Latin Rite there are some married priests who were Protestant ministers and have become converts to Catholicism that are accepted.

In Christ
Fr. Joseph

Answer 9

Catholic Priests can't marry because they are suppose to be devoted to the Roman Catholic Church and Jesus. They can't be devoted to another woman or anyone except the CatholicChurch and Jesus.

Answer 10

partly because of purity, but mostly because of devotion. a priest must devote ALL of his time to God and his church family. He wouldn't be able to be a good husband or father if he was spending so much time away from them- and at the same time he wouldnt be a good priest if he wasnt always there for the church, every time there is a wedding, funeral, baptism, confirmation, charity event, confession, or dying/sick person needed last rights! its a full-time job! but i personally dont think is a huge problem as long as the wife could understand those things.