(Catholic only) Should a Priest be allowed to get married?

Answer 1

No. He has committed his life to God. He is married to the Church.

Answer 2

Although I'm not Catholic, my dad was a pastor.

A pastor definitely can serve his church and be married at the same time with a family. But, it takes a special person to do this.

A pastor and his wife have to realize that sacrifices must be made. A pastor will be on call 24/7/365, and most of the times, the pastor will be available.

Do priests take days off at times or go on vacation? I'm sure that they do and when they are gone, is there someone who fills in for the priest? These are situations that a minister faces.

So, I think that a priest should be allowed to get married.

I think also when you realize the scandal that is going on in the catholic church about the molestation, it stands to reason that a person who is heterosexual may find it more difficult to enter the priesthood over a person who is homosexual. Why? Because when you factor in the fact that homosexuals who are religious may be more willing to give up the idea of marriage.

Also, if a priest could marry, would not more men enter the priesthood. Especially if they didn't have to give up the right to a loving relationship just to serve God?

Answer 3

Thank you for asking us Catholics ONLY (noticed the loud-mouths coming out of the wood work?) We do not believe this to be divine law, and please ignore that IDIOT deliberately mis-reading the bible to mean that bishops SHOULD be married! The bible does NOT make any such requirement.

It is part of the church's cannon law, which, so far, is widely accepted and revered.

For all the ignorami out there: the Greek Orthodox church has married priests, BUT, if they want to be bishops, they should NOT be married. I do not see much reason for this myself, but hey, it's THEIR church!

Also, rarely, we do ordain married men, like clerics from other religions wanting to be ordained, like MANY Anglican clerics threaten to do if that church ever ordains women!There is really nothing to stop them from serving the Catholic Church as priests, but their families should NOT be a burden to the church! I do not know how they arrange this.

I have been wondering if, there will ever be a time, that NOONE wants to enter the priesthood anymore, resulting in, say, millions of people being without a priest? Has not happened yet, men will always want to serve as priests, deacons (married or not), etc ... if we Catholics are not worried about it, I don't see why anyone else should.

Answer 4

I'm not Catholic myself, but am a Believer. I know you said Catholics only, but there was a time in my 20s I went to a Catholic church for some years, two of them.
I feel they should be allowed to get married and be married. Other ministers are allowed to be married and become a preacher, so why not priests?
I don't think God would have a problem with married priests as long as God desires them to be married.

Answer 5

Personally I see many difficulties for married priests. Who comes primary? Church or family? Then again I say they should live as they are called. If you become a priest while single remain single.

Answer 6

That has been a hot subject for centuries. The pope Paul VI has to consider it as well.

It is said that no, because priests are constantly being moved. For a family it doesn't fit.

In Argentina, for example, I read about a priest who was moved from Buenos Aires to Viedma, in the Patagonia, for how long ? unknown

Answer 7

The Bible specifically states that Bishops must be married, have children, and be in good standing in the community.

A chaste priesthood arose in the medieval ages not for holiness but to prevent theft-by-inheritance. Priests' children would claim that because their father was a priest, they inherited the church's lands and their father's title.

Because of the educational requirements of being a priest, however, this was unacceptable.

The prohibition on marriage made sense for that time period, however, it does not make sense Biblically nor in modern legalism.

Answer 8

Yes I think so. Marriage (and marital relations) is a natural and healthy thing. Mother Mary was married. The prophets were married. Clearly prophets are holier than priests.

I hasten to add PRIESTS WERE ALLOWED TO MARRY IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. This rule was changed by a pope for reasons I won't mention here. Suffice it to say, there is historical precedent which MUST be revisited. Great question.

Answer 9

there was an order of monks that's job was to transcribe the scriptures from the original texts into english ,one day a new priest was sent to work at the order.so as a new monk he was sent to the vault to proofread the transciptions of his brethren,after a few days when he had not emerged from the vault his brothers became concerned and went down to check on him.and there they found him the scrolls rolled out and his head down on the table in a pool of tears."what is it my brother ,what could be so terrible as to bring you to this state for all this time?" he looked up through tear filled eyes and said "the word was celebrate."
god bless you, and have a nice night.
joe c

Answer 10

Priestly celibacy, while it is not Dogma, is still Biblical:

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 11

Yes , then the Catholic priests might not sex abuse children and stop chasing women . Other religions allow the priests to marry and you do not hear of them acting like animals to children and women .