The biblical foundation of priestly celibacy
The celibacy of the priests is biblically justified and recommended by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ. Already in the Old Testament, God commanded Jeremiah to live in sexual purity (Jeremiah 16…More
The celibacy of the priests is biblically justified and recommended by the example of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Already in the Old Testament, God commanded Jeremiah to live in sexual purity (Jeremiah 16: 1-4). Eliasz and Elisha also had no wives. Saint John the Baptist lived in celibacy and was named the greatest born of a woman (Matthew 11:11).
In the New Testament, Jesus himself gave an example of celibacy to all who do not want to live in marriage "because of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:12).
Jesus indicated that not everyone will be able to understand this, so "who can accept this, he should accept it" (Matthew 19, 12).
In the New Testament, St. John the Apostle kept celibacy. Similarly St. Paweł, who pointed to the greater effectiveness of this way of life in spreading the Kingdom of God:
"An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests …More
Already in the Old Testament, God commanded Jeremiah to live in sexual purity (Jeremiah 16: 1-4). Eliasz and Elisha also had no wives. Saint John the Baptist lived in celibacy and was named the greatest born of a woman (Matthew 11:11).
In the New Testament, Jesus himself gave an example of celibacy to all who do not want to live in marriage "because of the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:12).
Jesus indicated that not everyone will be able to understand this, so "who can accept this, he should accept it" (Matthew 19, 12).
In the New Testament, St. John the Apostle kept celibacy. Similarly St. Paweł, who pointed to the greater effectiveness of this way of life in spreading the Kingdom of God:
"An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs—how he can please the Lord. But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— and his interests …More
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BrTomFordeOFMCap
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What is often overlooked is 1 Tim 3:2 wherein Paul says "a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife" (RSV). The early Church like the Jews of the time (and even the pagan Romans and Greeks) did not practice polygamy nor did the Church allow divorce. Why then the requirement that there be only one wife? It must mean that if widowed he had not remarried. The Church has never forbidden …More
What is often overlooked is 1 Tim 3:2 wherein Paul says "a bishop must be above reproach, the husband of one wife" (RSV). The early Church like the Jews of the time (and even the pagan Romans and Greeks) did not practice polygamy nor did the Church allow divorce. Why then the requirement that there be only one wife? It must mean that if widowed he had not remarried. The Church has never forbidden that (cf 1 Cor 7; 1 Tim 5) but also saw it as a sign of strong passions. The requirement that a candidate for the episcopacy is not subject to such passions would imply that it was a requirement for anyone in sacred orders (deacons and priests are likewise bound). How could he show this? By having raised his family at the time of ordination and not producing any more children or by being and remaining single. That's part of the conclusion of "The Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy" by Christian Cochinin SJ and published by Ignatius Press (not all Jesuits are bad). There is plenty of evidence cited in that work that perfect continence was required of all clerics from the beginning of the Church. It seems that this changed for the Eastern Churches under the influence of heresy but they kept the requirement for the episcopate. I also recommend Stefan Heid's "Celibacy in the Early Church."
Thors Catholic Hammer
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St. Peter, the very first pope was married.
Mandatory celibacy for catholic priests was introduced some centuries later if I’m not mistaken .
Mandatory celibacy for catholic priests was introduced some centuries later if I’m not mistaken .