History of married priests

[djalk]

I was tasked with the question of married priests. The claim was that before 11th century the Church allowed priests to marry. Where can I find info to disprove this claim.

 

[Elizium23]

Why do you think you would be able to refute the claim? It is likely true. Celibacy was mandated then, but perhaps even earlier, circa 440. But it is certainly true that in the Apostolic Age and beyond, priests and even bishops were married. Just have a read of the Bible.

[bibledrb]1 Timothy 3:2[/bibledrb]

 

[revert_jen]

I was tasked with the question of married priests. The claim was that before 11th century the Church allowed priests to marry. Where can I find info to disprove this claim.

It depends on what the claim is. I don’t think it was ever allowed for priests to marry, but it was certainly allowed for married men to become priests. I think it was already strongly discouraged by the 8th century, however.

Priestly celibacy is not a matter of dogma the way that a male-only priesthood is. In fact, in most if not all of the Eastern Catholic churches, married men can become priests, and even in the Latin rite it is allowed if a special (and rare) dispensation is received. But I don’t think that people who have been ordained to the priesthood are allowed to marry in any Church in communion with Rome. They have to be married first, and then be ordained. But I’m not an expert.

–Jen

 

[Nita]

I was tasked with the question of married priests. The claim was that before 11th century the Church allowed priests to marry. Where can I find info to disprove this claim.

I think you will find the Catholic Encyclopedia article on celibacy very informative. If you scroll about 1/3 of the way down, you’ll come to the section titled “History of Clerical Celibacy”.
newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm