Why Are Catholic Priests Celibate?
Why Does the Catholic Church Not Allow Priests to be Married?
Aug 8, 2008
Priestly celibacy is not a worldwide phenomenon; only the Church in the United States mandates this discipline. In other countries, priests are allowed to marry. Where did the celibacy tradition come from and why is it still active today?
What Is Celibacy?
Celibacy is the formal and solemn oath to never enter the married state. Celibate men and women willingly give up the privilege of marriage in order to completely devote themselves to God and His Church.
Why Are Catholic Priests Celibate?
Historically, priestly celibacy stems from several traditions; the most important being that celibacy honors the lifestyle and ministry of Jesus Christ. Catholic tradition asserts that Jesus never married; instead He devoted his life to his family of followers and to His ministry. Modern priests emulate Christ’s lifestyle.
Priestly Celibacy in the Early Church
In the early church, before the separation of religion and politics, marriage’s primary purpose was to make political alliances and creating a family was a secondary consideration. Priestly celibacy ensured that the priests were preoccupied with the church and not with political ties or interests in local political disputes.
Why Are Today's Priests Celibate?
Today priestly celibacy has a more practical function. With the church as the priest’s only family he is spared from conflicts arising between the needs of his biological family and his church family. He doesn’t have to choose between his daughter’s softball playoff game and an important church function. He won’t be torn between responding to an emergency at 3AM and staying home to tend his sick child. Also, since the priest isn’t anyone’s biological father, the parish feels comfortable calling him their own father.
Priestly Celibacy is Practical..
Being without a spouse and children makes it easier for the priest to move from place to place as he is called to serve many parishes throughout his ministry. Celibacy also prevents any complications which may arise regarding heirs and the inheriting of property upon the priest’s death. And without the stresses and obligations of raising a family, the priest is better able to handle the exceptionally demanding calling of priesthood.
...But is Priestly Celibacy Biblical?
Some critics of priestly celibacy say it goes against the Bible’s teachings on marriage and the ministry (Genesis 1:28 and 1 Corinthians 9:5) but the Catholic Church actually uses the Bible as its basis for encouraging celibacy in the priesthood. The New Testament affirms the value of celibacy in Matthew 19:12” “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” and in 1 Corinthians 32-34: “The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord, but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided.”
Is Celibacy to Blame for the Shortage of Priests?
Because of the declining number of new priests being ordained, some people think that lifting the ban on marriage would entice more people to enter the priesthood. However statistics show that even Protestant ministers and clergy are decreasing in numbers, so the Catholic Church believes that eliminating celibacy isn’t the solution to this problem.
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