1st Tim. 3

[oneseeker]

It says that bishops and deacons should be the husband of one wife, with well mannered children. This is to show that he can take care of a small family, and therefore take care of the ‘family of God’. Why then are RC bishops and deacons (all male ministers) required to be celibate in order to serve in the church? I actually found this while I was reading the chapter talking about the church being the pillar and foundation of truth.

oneseeker

 

[Catholic_Dude]

It says that bishops and deacons should be the husband of one wife, with well mannered children. This is to show that he can take care of a small family, and therefore take care of the ‘family of God’. Why then are RC bishops and deacons (all male ministers) required to be celibate in order to serve in the church? I actually found this while I was reading the chapter talking about the church being the pillar and foundation of truth.

oneseeker

“one wife” is only in reference to not having a bishop who is either divorced and remarried or remarriage if the wife dies, it doesnt mean they must have at least one wife.
The Church throughout the ages has looked to passages like 1 Cor 7 and Matt 19:8-12 as evidence of the benefits of staying celibate for the kingdom.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

They needed mature men as leaders in the new Church. Teen age students weren’t ready for that much responsibility. At that time the only candidates available would have been married men. So St Paul wants them to be respectable; without marriage problems.

 

[VociMike]

It says that bishops and deacons should be the husband of one wife, with well mannered children. This is to show that he can take care of a small family, and therefore take care of the ‘family of God’. Why then are RC bishops and deacons (all male ministers) required to be celibate in order to serve in the church? I actually found this while I was reading the chapter talking about the church being the pillar and foundation of truth.

Because it was found as a matter of practice that being spiritual father to a large flock of people was not consistent with having a healthy family life. No man can serve two masters, remember? But the question of celibacy does not apply to deacons, BTW. Most deacons (I’m guessing) are married.

Note that if one reads this text literally it also means that if the wife of a bishop or deacon dies, or if their children are not well-mannered (or they don’t even have children), then they should stop being a bishop or deacon. But curiously, nobody ever argues for that understanding.

 

[DallasCatholic]

Because it was found as a matter of practice that being spiritual father to a large flock of people was not consistent with having a healthy family life. No man can serve two masters, remember? But the question of celibacy does not apply to deacons, BTW. Most deacons (I’m guessing) are married.

Note that if one reads this text literally it also means that if the wife of a bishop or deacon dies, or if their children are not well-mannered (or they don’t even have children), then they should stop being a bishop or deacon. But curiously, nobody ever argues for that understanding.

Just an OT side note here about Deacons. If a Deacon is single when ordained then he is required to remain so nad remain celibate throughout his life. If a Deacon is married and his wife dies then he may not re-marry.