Catholic Question - Why don't the clergy marry?

[Xavierlives]

(I’ve ventured into the Catholic forums 2 months ago and have never really asked a Catholic question)

1 Tim. 3:1-5 says
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

If the Bible makes provisions for marriage and a family, why don’t the clergy marry?

 

[ralphinal]

Actually, that verse does not say that he must be married. It does say that he may not have but one wife.

If Jesus had intended bishops to be married, all of the Apostles would have been married. We know that Peter was, but not any of the rest. We know that Paul was not. We do not even know the status of Peter’s wife, though tradition tells us his son was named Mark.

 

[Xavierlives]

Actually, that verse does not say that he must be married. It does say that he may not have but one wife.

If Jesus had intended bishops to be married, all of the Apostles would have been married. We know that Peter was, but not any of the rest. We know that Paul was not. We do not even know the status of Peter’s wife, though tradition tells us his son was named Mark.

I’m not saying they have to be married. I am wondering why they aren’t. (Especially if Peter was).

 

[Corki]

I’m not saying they have to be married. I am wondering why they aren’t.

Some are; the majority aren’t.

The rule that (with only a few exceptions) only unmarried men may be ordained is a disciplinary rule, not a doctrine. Like all disciplines, it is based on the belief that this is what is best for the Church at this time. It could change sometime in the future.

 

[FCEGM]

(I’ve ventured into the Catholic forums 2 months ago and have never really asked a Catholic question)

1 Tim. 3:1-5 says
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

If the Bible makes provisions for marriage and a family, why don’t the clergy marry?

The reason that a priest may never marry (once ordained) is because this priest has taken on the role and Personhood of Christ in a mysterious, Sacramental way. Thus, he is essentially married to Christ and married to the Church, JUST AS Christ Himselfis married to the Church.And, since the priest already has a Bride (the Church), how can he take another bride?(This is prefigured in O.T. Testament times: the priests who rotated terms of service in the Temple were required to practice sexual fasting during the time of their service. We see this at the beginning of St. Luke’s gospel when he presents us with the account of Zachary and Elizabeth and the conception of John.) **

In becoming a priest, the ordained man has consecrated himself to the service of Christ’s Bride in the person of Christ Himself.* As in Baptism, the priest has “died with Christ,” but now for the sake of this Bride and service to this Bride.Thus, it would be alien to the nature of the Christian priesthood for the ordained man to enter into a subsequent covenant (e.g. marriage) or to have any secular purpose to his life or vocation (e.g. inheriting a kingly throne) that would detract from his commitment to be an “alter Christus” for the Church and the eschatological significance that goes with it.

So, in short, a priest’s inability to marry after ordination is not a mere discipline, but something intrinsic to the Sacrament of Ordination itself.*One’s priesthood is a matter of Sacramental reality -a reality than can never be removed (even if one is laisized).

 

[Harpazo]

I’m not saying they have to be married. I am wondering why they aren’t. (Especially if Peter was).

The reasons married men are no longer allowed to be ordained bishops because in the New Testament, the Apostles thought that the parousia would be imminent. They were obviously not planning to be here long term. The episcopate is a very demanding office, one requiring much devotion and care. I’m not exactly sure when the Latins stopped ordaining married men to the presbyterate (they recently restored the diaconate), but there are records of married men being ordained in England in the 1100s. However, I do not know if it had already ceased elsewhere in the Latin West. The Orthodox still ordain married men to the priesthood.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[ralphinal]

The reasons married men are no longer allowed to be ordained bishops because in the New Testament, the Apostles thought that the parousia would be imminent. They were obviously not planning to be here long term. The episcopate is a very demanding office, one requiring much devotion and care. I’m not exactly sure when the Latins stopped ordaining married men to the presbyterate (they recently restored the diaconate), but there are records of married men being ordained in England in the 1100s. However, I do not know if it had already ceased elsewhere in the Latin West. The Orthodox still ordain married men to the priesthood.

In Christ,
Andrew

Correct, but the Orthodox do not ordain married men to the episcopacy. Or at least I did not think that they did

 

[Xavierlives]

The reason that a priest may never marry (once ordained) is because this priest has taken on the role and Personhood of Christ in a mysterious, Sacramental way. Thus, he is essentially married to Christ and married to the Church, JUST AS Christ Himselfis married to the Church.And, since the priest already has a Bride (the Church), how can he take another bride?(This is prefigured in O.T. Testament times: the priests who rotated terms of service in the Temple were required to practice sexual fasting during the time of their service. We see this at the beginning of St. Luke’s gospel when he presents us with the account of Zachary and Elizabeth and the conception of John.) **

In becoming a priest, the ordained man has consecrated himself to the service of Christ’s Bride in the person of Christ Himself.* As in Baptism, the priest has “died with Christ,” but now for the sake of this Bride and service to this Bride.Thus, it would be alien to the nature of the Christian priesthood for the ordained man to enter into a subsequent covenant (e.g. marriage) or to have any secular purpose to his life or vocation (e.g. inheriting a kingly throne) that would detract from his commitment to be an “alter Christus” for the Church and the eschatological significance that goes with it.

So, in short, a priest’s inability to marry after ordination is not a mere discipline, but something intrinsic to the Sacrament of Ordination itself.*One’s priesthood is a matter of Sacramental reality -a reality than can never be removed (even if one is laisized).

Being a novice to the Catholic ways… this is basically set from Catholic tradition than from Biblical reference?

 

[Robert_in_SD]

(I’ve ventured into the Catholic forums 2 months ago and have never really asked a Catholic question)

1 Tim. 3:1-5 says
1This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.

2A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;

3Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;

4One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;

5(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)

If the Bible makes provisions for marriage and a family, why don’t the clergy marry?

Hello XavierLives;

It’s a good question that you ask. The Church requires celibacy from her priests as a matter of discipline, and not as a matter of doctrine. No one is forced into priesthood, and those who wish to become priests are asked to renounce sex for the sake of the Kingdom of God. It is consistent with Jesus’ praise of those who renounce sex for the Kingdom. Mt. 19:12. It is also consistent with Paul’s recommendation of celibacy for those who devote themselves entirely to ministry. 1 Cor. 7:32-35.

[32] I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord;
[33] but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife,
[34] and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband.
[35] I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. (1 Cor. 7:32-35)

Since St. Paul does not command celibacy, the practice is imposed as a discipline, and there are allowances and exceptions. Some Eastern Catholic rites allow for married clergy; and even in the west exceptions have been made to allow some married Anglican priests who become Catholic to remain married even if they become Catholic priests.

Given St. Paul’s recommendation of celibacy for full time ministers, why do you think it is that there are so few Protestant ministers who live celibate lives?

Peace,
Robert

 

[StrawberryJam]

Being a novice to the Catholic ways… this is basically set from Catholic tradition than from Biblical reference?

While the bible does mention Peter’s wife, it is unclear if she was alive or not at the time Peter followed Jesus.

Biblical reference is only as good as the biblical interpretation of the reference.

 

[Robert_in_SD]

The reasons married men are no longer allowed to be ordained bishops because in the New Testament, the Apostles thought that the parousia would be imminent. They were obviously not planning to be here long term. The episcopate is a very demanding office, one requiring much devotion and care. I’m not exactly sure when the Latins stopped ordaining married men to the presbyterate (they recently restored the diaconate), but there are records of married men being ordained in England in the 1100s. However, I do not know if it had already ceased elsewhere in the Latin West. The Orthodox still ordain married men to the priesthood.

In Christ,
Andrew

I think that the discipline was made universal for the Latin Rite priesthood some time around 1100, but I’m not entirely sure. But even before that time the large majority of the priesthood in Western Europe followed St. Paul’s recommendation of celibacy for those in full time ministry.

Peace,
Robert

 

[bpbasilphx]

Correct, but the Orthodox do not ordain married men to the episcopacy. Or at least I did not think that they did

Widower priests frequently are ordained to the episcopacy.

I’ve seen lots of pictures of Orthodox bishops with their grandchildren.

I will mention a very practical reason against married clergy (not that I’m against them; I’m not):

The stresses of pastoral life frequently force the man to choose between his service to the Lord and his wife and family. I’ve met divorced Orthodox priests and Protestant clergy whose marriages simply couldn’t stand this strain. I’ve met others who left the ministry to preserve their marriages.

It can be a difficult choice at times.

 

[fish90]

Celibacy is a gift that certain men are given. In the most beautiful way, celibacy allows the priest to use his special gift for the greater good for his bride, the Church. The discipline of priestly celibacy wishes to bring this gift to fruitful abundance for the Church. Priestly celibacy can change for it is a discipline for priests of the Latin Church and a few other Churches though not for all Catholic Churches.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

 

[Eric63]

Actually some Catholic Clergy are ordian and married. The pope (John Paul II and Benidict vI) have allowed Priest from the Anglican communion to be ordian Catholic priest and remain married.

Also there is the (little know in the US) eastern rite Catholic Church (Eastern/Orthodox Churches in communion with Rome) Examples of eastern rite catholics are the Byzantine Catholic, Ukrainian Catholics, and Etc. They report directly to the pope and their priest are allowed to be married. I do believe they can not become Bishops and married.(but I am not sure on that fact)

 

[Xavierlives]

Actually some Catholic Clergy are ordian and married. The pope (John Paul II and Benidict vI) have allowed Priest from the Anglican communion to be ordian Catholic priest and remain married.

Also there is the (little know in the US) eastern rite Catholic Church (Eastern/Orthodox Churches in communion with Rome) Examples of eastern rite catholics are the Byzantine Catholic, Ukrainian Catholics, and Etc. They report directly to the pope and their priest are allowed to be married. I do believe they can not become Bishops and married.(but I am not sure on that fact)

So the CC, in whatever manner it would be done, could say the practice or expectation is no longer expected?

 

[Brendan]

Paul tells us why in 1 Cor 7.

Yet I wish that all men were even as I myself am However, each man has his own gift from God, one in this manner, and another in that.

So we can see that Paul’s preference is that men remain unmarried if they have that gift. Paul, a bishop himself, desires that others should be in the unmarried state, like he is.

And why is that?

Paul tell us later in verse 32

But I want you to be free from concern. One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord;

So we can see that it is very much preferable for a cleric (who’s very ‘job’ is to be concerned about the things of the Lord) to be unmarried. Else, St. Paul tells us, the are concerned with things of the world.

So bishops will choose men for the priesthood occording to the teachings of St. Paul and give great preference to unmarried men.

Christ also taught us about clerical celibacy in Matthew 19:12

For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it

 

[Ignatius]

(I’ve ventured into the Catholic forums 2 months ago and have never really asked a Catholic question)

If the Bible makes provisions for marriage and a family, why don’t the clergy marry?

You are mistaken, there are many married clergy. In fact most of the Sui Juris Catholic Churches have married clergy. Those who choose to follow the order of St. Paul (aka Saul of Tarsus) in vowing celebacy do so voluntarily. The mistake most non-Catholics/Protestants make is not realizing that once someone takes an oath to God, they are obliged to keep that oath.

 

[Nine_Two]

Widower priests frequently are ordained to the episcopacy.

I’ve seen lots of pictures of Orthodox bishops with their grandchildren.

I’m pretty sure Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow was a widower when he decided to become a Monk. I can’t remember if he was already a priest at that time.

 

[Xavierlives]

You are mistaken, there are many married clergy. In fact most of the Sui Juris Catholic Churches have married clergy. Those who choose to follow the order of St. Paul (aka Saul of Tarsus) in vowing celebacy do so voluntarily. The mistake most non-Catholics/Protestants make is not realizing that once someone takes an oath to God, they are obliged to keep that oath.

And that is why I ask. I’d rather know the truth than be ignorant.

 

[po18guy]

In addition to the teaching of Saint Paul, the Church also has the words of Christ:

Matthew 19:12 “For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

Thus, jesus pronounced celibacy as a gift. It is a discipline of the Church, and is subject to change. However, no such change has been seen to be advantageous at this date.