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AnneTeresa
Guest
Peter was clearly married as his mother-in-law is mentioned in the gospels. When/how did the church decide the Pope would not be married? Were there some married Popes in the past?
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mardukm
Guest
It’s not a matter of the Pope per se being married or not, but of bishops in general being married or not. The Tradition that bishops should not marry began in the 4th century. Since the Pope is a bishop, naturally - - - - -.
Some earlier Popes, IIRC.
Blessings,
Marduk
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Holly3278
Guest
I am not sure when/how it happened but it should be noted that celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine. And it is not forced on anyone. If you don’t want to be celibate then don’t become a Roman Catholic priest.
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mark_a
Guest
Maybe his wife had passed. The bible never mentions her.
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Joe_Kelley
Guest
Note
It would seem a poor daughter that would allow her mother to rise from a sick bed to serve the guests. I would assume that the daughter was dead and the mother-in-law had the running of the household.
Mark 1:30-31
It would seem a poor daughter that would allow her mother to rise from a sick bed to serve the guests. I would assume that the daughter was dead and the mother-in-law had the running of the household.
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Robertanthony
Guest
That’s the bottom-line. That always comes to my mind every time I hear someone say that priests should be allowed to marry. BTW your avatar is the best avatar on CAF, hands-down.
Very good observation, you’re astute.
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Hesychios
Guest
There is a tradition that Saint Peter’s daughter was in Rome. I don’t remember if the tradition mentions his wife.
However I do not believe this ‘tradition’ is old enough to be considered reliable.
However I do not believe this ‘tradition’ is old enough to be considered reliable.
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Didn’t a tradition say that his wife was martyred with him in Rome?
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AnneTeresa
Guest
OK, do you know why they decided bishops should not be married then? I assume they were allowed before?
Also, what is IIRC?
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Robertanthony
Guest
1st question: I have no idea.
2nd question: If I recall correctly (I didn’t know myself, Google told me
)
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ConstantineTG
Guest
Bishops then were commonly selected from among the monastics. Monastics are always celibate.
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CalCatholic
Guest
It is possible, that his wife might be indirectly mentioned in this passage;
"Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Are you not my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to our food and drink?** Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife
, as the other apostles and brethren of the Lord and Cephas?**** (1 Cor 9:1-5 RSV-2CE)** Greek: woman, sisterYes (according to the footnote) this might not be his wife, but if his wife was still alive, it would make sense that she would be traveling with the other women that assisted the apostles. No one knows for sure.
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