Why Catholic priests are not allowed to marry.Was it decided by Jesus?

Question

There have been quite a few instances where catholic priests are found guilty of sexual offences. If they are allowed to marry these instances will reduce.I respect principles of this religion and it hurts me to read such stories.

Answer 1

It is a false assumption that simply allowing priests to marry will reduce the instances of sexual offenses among Catholic clergy.

The FACT of the matter is that most people who sexually abuse minors are married. They are most often the married father or stepfather of the child who is being attacked. On top of that, think of all the school teachers that you read about abusing kids. Are school teachers allowed to marry? Of course they are! But that doesn't stop abuse among teachers.

Furthermore MOST single people in the world are NOT abusing anybody.

It hurts everyone to read of the stories of clergy sexual abuse. The solution is not to be found in marriage or non-marriage, however, because the EVIDENCE shows that this makes no difference. The answer is in a more careful screening process at the seminary level and new policies of clergy-minor social interaction that prevent the opportunity for abuse, such as clergymen never being alone with any one child. Both these policies have been implemented to varying levels since the abuse scandal was made known.

Answer 2

A celibate clergy was not demanded by Jesus but it was modeled by him.

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.

+ Celibacy vs. Molestation +

According to mental health professionals, pedophilia is not connected to celibacy or homosexuality.

This very small group of child molesters would be just as sick or evil whether or not they had taken a vow of celibacy.

For more information, see "10 Myths about Priestly Pedophilia": http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/facts/fm0011.html

With love in Christ.

Answer 3

A priest takes a vow of chastity so he may be able to devote his entire time to the needs of the parish without having to deal with the conflicting needs of a wife and family.

A person who is a pedophile will not stop being a pedophile if he or she marries. If a pedophle marries, he or she will abuse his or her own children.

In regards to inheritance being the reason - a priest may not have a wife and children to leave money and propoerty to, but he has nieces and nephews.

Answer 4

It hurts me to see the offenses also, so I thank you for your compassion. However, the facts are that celibacy isn't to blame for this. As I understand it, the rates of sexual offenses are much higher amoung married people than religious. Further, I think that celibacy is only a discipline and not a doctrine. I know of many ex-Protestant, married clergy who became Catholic and were ordained to the priesthood.

This website might also help: http://www.catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp

God bless.

Answer 5

No, Catholic monks are actually not allowed to marry. This concept is the two organic and Biblical. In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says that people who could proceed to be celebate for the sake of the dominion of Heaven could gain this. In a million Corinthians 7:7-9, Paul writes that people who can refrain from marriage could gain this. Later, in verses 7:32-35, 38, Paul writes that for the period of ordinary terms the single guy could be thoroughly interested in the Lord, for the married guy is in touch approximately worldly affairs, a thank you to delight his spouse, and his pastimes are divided. So, it rather is organic, on account it rather is a contemporary and calling from God to serve Him, and that's Biblical, having been suggested by Christ and by Paul. even if if any of the unique Apostles have been married, and countless Protestants declare that Peter, a minimum of, became into married, those men left their properties and households, each and every thing, to stick to Jesus. In Luke 18:29-30, case in point, Jesus says "there is no guy who has left homestead or spouse or brothers or mum and dad or little ones, for the sake of the kingodm of God, who won't acquire manifold greater in this time, and in the age to return eternal existence." previously that, in Matthew 17:27-29, Peter says "'Lo, we've left each and every thing and observed You. What then we could desire to have?" Jesus pronounced to them, '...each and every guy or woman who has left properties or brothers or sisters or dad or mum or little ones or lands, for my call's sake, will acquire a hundredfold, and inherit eternal existence." in fact that being a guy of God is a extensive dedication. Marriage can in ordinary terms be a distraction, as can little ones. The priest could desire to be thoroughly committed to God and to the Church. it rather is a undeniable calling that a techniques too few youthful men are waiting to respond to, because of the fact it does take very a great number of self-discipline.

Answer 6

Many of Christ's apostles & other early followers were married. There is no place in the Bible that dis-allows anyone from marrying. It is recommended --if one does not feel the need to marry-- to remain single, for the purpose of being freer to help teach others God's requirements, but it is not mandatory by any means! Marriage is a very honorable relationship, instituted by God, himself.

The apostle Peter himself is shown to have been a married man, and his wife apparently accompanied him on his missions (or some of them), at least in later years. So did the wives of others of the apostles, accompany their husbands. (1Co 9:5) His mother-in-law lived in his home, one he shared with his brother Andrew.--Mr 1:29-31.*

Under the Christian arrangement, there is no Scriptural obligation either to marry, or, to remain single. Christ Jesus himself remained unmarried, & recommended singleness for those who “can make room for it.” (Matthew 19:10-12) However, most of Jesus’ apostles were married. (Luke 4:38; 1 Corinthians 9:5) The decision to marry is clearly a personal one. No human has the Scriptural authority to pressure or force another into either marriage, or, singleness.*

Answer 7

If you really did respect the principles of the religion, that woulud also include priestly celibacy. While this is not Dogma, it is a biblically based discipline:

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 8

The Catholic priest cannot marry because they are married to the church.

Answer 9

Inheritance.

If I remember correctly, celibacy was introduced by the church because priests were willing church property to their sons. Sometime around the 13th century.

Answer 10

Jesus said that whoever wants to take the lead in the congregation should be husband of only one wife. So celibacy is not scriptural.