Catholic Question - Why don't the clergy marry?

[SonofMonica]

Well someone danced around this without explaining it the way you did, so thank you. The only problem I can find with the comparison would be a priest who leaves the priesthood to marry. Now he is committing adultery.

I’m not sure the comparison extends that far. All allegories break down somewhere. He would definitely be breaking his word and promise, though.

 

[geometer]

P.S. you are not welcome to come to this board to spread lies and/or misinformation and slanderous innuendo about anyone, much less a pope.

The same goes for you, so be good now…

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

I think this passage from 1 Corrinthians 7 applies:

32 But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 but he that is married is careful for the things of the world, how he may please his wife, 34 and is divided.'so also the woman that is unmarried and the virgin is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married is careful for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.

Think about it - a priest could be torn in 2 directions. If he had promised his wife to do something on a particular night, and a person falls ill that same night, he must choose which thing he will do. Perhaps the priest thinks the ill person is not seriously ill so he pleases his wife and goes with her. If the ill person then dies, he was not tended to in his time of need.

John Marie Philomena

 

[O.S.Luke]

Think about it - a priest could be torn in 2 directions. If he had promised his wife to do something on a particular night, and a person falls ill that same night, he must choose which thing he will do. Perhaps the priest thinks the ill person is not seriously ill so he pleases his wife and goes with her. If the ill person then dies, he was not tended to in his time of need.

I’ve been a pastor and a husband for over 20 years. I’ve never had a problem with this - when I get a call to go to the hospital or to someone’s home, I go. That’s part of being a pastor or priest. Doctors do the same. And any other hosts of professions that are subject to one being “on call.”

O+

 

[ralphinal]

I’ve been a pastor and a husband for over 20 years. I’ve never had a problem with this - when I get a call to go to the hospital or to someone’s home, I go. That’s part of being a pastor or priest. Doctors do the same. And any other hosts of professions that are subject to one being “on call.”

O+

I think that the point that many people miss is that being the wife of a minister is, in itself, a calling. Not all women are going to put up with it. Nope. What if the man has the calling to the clerical life but his wife does not? Would it be good to have divorced clergy?

Doctors have the high income to compensate. Clergy do not. Other professions with “on call” include first responders. I would be interested in seeing the divorce rates of these groups.

 

[Xavierlives]

I think that the point that many people miss is that being the wife of a minister is, in itself, a calling. Not all women are going to put up with it. Nope. What if the man has the calling to the clerical life but his wife does not? Would it be good to have divorced clergy?

Doctors have the high income to compensate. Clergy do not. Other professions with “on call” include first responders. I would be interested in seeing the divorce rates of these groups.

Don’t most Christian denominations reject divorced pastors?

 

[Harpazo]

I think this passage from 1 Corrinthians 7 applies:

Think about it - a priest could be torn in 2 directions. If he had promised his wife to do something on a particular night, and a person falls ill that same night, he must choose which thing he will do. Perhaps the priest thinks the ill person is not seriously ill so he pleases his wife and goes with her. If the ill person then dies, he was not tended to in his time of need.

John Marie Philomena

My priest is married and has three kids (1 graduated college, 1 in nursing school and 1 about to get his heating/air license). He also has a job, too (home repairs). His wife also takes care of her 95 year old mother-in-law and the church, which is also their home. He is a wonderful spiritual father, and a dedicated priest, husband and father, much moreso than any Catholic priest I have met. I’m not saying that there are no dedicated Catholic priests, but this has been my experience.

Apparently, some people in the early Church thought that married priests were against the Faith, some even went as far to say that one should not partake of the Eucharist from them. However, a council of the Church condemned this idea:

If any one shall maintain, concerning a married presbyter, that is not lawful to partake of the oblation when he offers it, let him be anathema.- Canon 4, Synod of Gangra, 4th Century

I’m not sure when the West did away with a married presbyterate, but I think there are records of married priests in Britain. Any way, to bring it all home, just because a priest is married, does not necessarily mean he will do a poorer job tending to his flock than an unwed one. This has been the tradition of the Church since the Apostles and the Orthodox see no reason to dispense of it. I am inclined to be that a man should have the option to pursue the priesthood celibate or married.

I’m really surprised that more Catholics do not support the ordination of married men, especially considering how pro-family and pro-life the RCC is.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Harpazo]

I think that the point that many people miss is that being the wife of a minister is, in itself, a calling. Not all women are going to put up with it. Nope. What if the man has the calling to the clerical life but his wife does not? Would it be good to have divorced clergy?

Doctors have the high income to compensate. Clergy do not. Other professions with “on call” include first responders. I would be interested in seeing the divorce rates of these groups.

I agree whole-heartedly. Our popadia (Bulgarian for "priest’s wife) puts up with a lot, but still does it with a smile. She is a devoted woman. I cannot see it anyway. It has to be a calling to be a priest’s wife.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[Mosacked]

(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?

Since the Bible never says it is a pre-requisite, it goes unchallenged that it is therefore just a policy dictated by the catholics for her priests. In other words, NOTHING to do with the Bible.

Now, what happens when you STARVE a man and then put him into a restaurant? I think the answer is obvious. Even if you tell the man “you must not eat if you wish to enter this restaurant of fine foods”, it’s a matter of time that the bomb explodes right in your face. What are you attempting then? To shame the man? Or to shame the establishment?

This is often what happens when man tries to act smart and ADDS ONTO what has already been instructed by God. They tweak the instructions to suit their perception. They defile themselves and get accursed.

And God said “thou shalt surely die”…and Satan said “thou shalt not surely die”

So finally who dies? The ones who changed the instruction.

Whether you changed it because you think you know better or you changed it because you think God meant it for a ‘special case’ only, just remember, YOU CHANGE THE INSTRUCTION, YOU PREPARE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

.

 

[Xavierlives]

Since the Bible never says it is a pre-requisite, it goes unchallenged that it is therefore just a policy dictated by the catholics for her priests. In other words, NOTHING to do with the Bible.

Now, what happens when you STARVE a man and then put him into a restaurant? I think the answer is obvious. Even if you tell the man “you must not eat if you wish to enter this restaurant of fine foods”, it’s a matter of time that the bomb explodes right in your face. What are you attempting then? To shame the man? Or to shame the establishment?

This is often what happens when man tries to act smart and ADDS ONTO what has already been instructed by God. They tweak the instructions to suit their perception. They defile themselves and get accursed.

And God said “thou shalt surely die”…and Satan said “thou shalt not surely die”

So finally who dies? The ones who changed the instruction.

Whether you changed it because you think you know better or you changed it because you think God meant it for a ‘special case’ only, just remember, YOU CHANGE THE INSTRUCTION, YOU PREPARE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

.

err…what? If the Bible makes provisions for marriage of Bishops and the Church says no marriage, than it is a valid Biblical question.

I think the other responses speak with somewhat clarity why the Roman Rite (I am new to the catholic labels, so I think this is right) does not advocate marriage of their clergy.

 

[Church_Militant]

err…what? If the Bible makes

provisions for marriage of Bishops and the Church says no marriage, than it is a valid Biblical question.

I think the other responses speak with somewhat clarity why the Roman Rite (I am new to the catholic labels, so I think this is right) does not advocate marriage of their clergy.Provision yes…but what did the Lord Himself say?
Priestly celibacy is unBiblical. NOT!

 

[ralphinal]

Since the Bible never says it is a pre-requisite, it goes unchallenged that it is therefore just a policy dictated by the catholics for her priests. In other words, NOTHING to do with the Bible.

Now, what happens when you STARVE a man and then put him into a restaurant? I think the answer is obvious. Even if you tell the man “you must not eat if you wish to enter this restaurant of fine foods”, it’s a matter of time that the bomb explodes right in your face. What are you attempting then? To shame the man? Or to shame the establishment?

This is often what happens when man tries to act smart and ADDS ONTO what has already been instructed by God. They tweak the instructions to suit their perception. They defile themselves and get accursed.

And God said “thou shalt surely die”…and Satan said “thou shalt not surely die”

So finally who dies? The ones who changed the instruction.

Whether you changed it because you think you know better or you changed it because you think God meant it for a ‘special case’ only, just remember, YOU CHANGE THE INSTRUCTION, YOU PREPARE FOR THE CONSEQUENCES.

.

First, it is insulting to me as a man to say that men cannot overcome their sex drive. It says that we are not any better that dogs. THat is junk. The reason men do not overcome their sex drives is because they do not want to and society gives them a walk.

Second, you are aware that married non-Catholic clergy are more likely to have sex with their congregation than Catholic Priests, right?

 

[Zooey]

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.

:sad_yes:

I think that the point that many people miss is that being the wife of a minister is, in itself, a calling. Not all women are going to put up with it. Nope. What if the man has the calling to the clerical life but his wife does not? Would it be good to have divorced clergy?

Doctors have the high income to compensate. Clergy do not. Other professions with “on call” include first responders. I would be interested in seeing the divorce rates of these groups.

:sad_yes:

 

[bridgeforsale]

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.

Maybe Paul just wasn’t a ladies man

If one could get married, then obviously there was no proscription against marriage (I mean isn’t “Peter” a pretty big deal for you guys)? I think it was just a property inheritence issue (the rule wasn’t enacted into well after the founding of the Catholic church), but now I imagine all the really, really old guys who run the show don’t want to think they went without for all these years for no good reason.

 

[Teneas]

Just poking my head in here. Seems to be well thought out discussions and points here. Had a few things I was going to add, but then took the time to read the entire thread. I think it’s all been said well why, for the most part, clergy don’t marry, or never marry once they have gone through Holy Orders, wife died, the list goes on…

 

[Lutheranteach]

Don’t most Christian denominations reject divorced pastors?

Not automatically by any means.

 

[ralphinal]

Maybe Paul just wasn’t a ladies man

If one could get married, then obviously there was no proscription against marriage (I mean isn’t “Peter” a pretty big deal for you guys)? I think it was just a property inheritence issue (the rule wasn’t enacted into well after the founding of the Catholic church), but now I imagine all the really, really old guys who run the show don’t want to think they went without for all these years for no good reason.

Actually, tradition tells us that Peter’s wife was probably not alive by the time he went with Christ. After all, where was she when he went to Rome and Antioch? Even so, he is the only one of the 12 that we know was married. Paul told others to be single and Jesus spoke of those who became unichs for the sake of the kingdom. That indicates that there is reason to think that it is better for clergy to be single.

The property issue is actually a moot point. Again, the land never belonged to a bishop anyway. It always belonged to the Church, most often by allowance of the ruler.

As for the last line, it is insulting and I will not dignify it with a response.

 

[bridgeforsale]

Actually, tradition tells us that Peter’s wife was probably not alive by the time he went with Christ. After all, where was she when he went to Rome and Antioch? Even so, he is the only one of the 12 that we know was married. Paul told others to be single and Jesus spoke of those who became unichs for the sake of the kingdom. That indicates that there is reason to think that it is better for clergy to be single.

The property issue is actually a moot point. Again, the land never belonged to a bishop anyway. It always belonged to the Church, most often by allowance of the ruler.

As for the last line, it is insulting and I will not dignify it with a response.

That would be a deal breaker for me!

Guess that’s why I’m not one of the frozen chosen (oh well, at least I can try to have a bunch of fun before my eternal roasting begins)

 

[ralphinal]

That would be a deal breaker for me!

Guess that’s why I’m not one of the frozen chosen (oh well, at least I can try to have a bunch of fun before my eternal roasting begins)

Personally, if I were not worried about eternity, I would at least want to be considered a kind and considerate human on earth…

 

[Lutheranteach]

That would be a deal breaker for me!

Guess that’s why I’m not one of the frozen chosen (oh well, at least I can try to have a bunch of fun before my eternal roasting begins)

Allowance?!?!?!??