why can't priests marry?

[rinnie]

Hi all,

from the catholic bible,

Matthew
Chapter 8:14,

we see that Peter was married,

Can anyone explain to me why the Catholic Church does not allow their priests to be married even though Peter was married?

Thank you in advance

What is your reason for this scripture? Where does scripture state that all Priests have to or do not have to be married?

 

[achristiantoo]

I would assume you are talking about Roman Catholic Priests.

The answer is simple. They have been called by God to not marry and give up everything for the sake of Christ’s Church.

What part of this do you have a problem with? Them doing what God asked of them, or God asking this of them?

Problem??? no problem…

Like I posted previously …if I wanted to lead a church and keep my options open to be married i will be unable to do so in the Catholic church

I will then follw the footsteps of someone like Dr David Jeremiah who is married and has a very deep passion to follow Christ.

thank you

 

[achristiantoo]

achristiantoo;7798390:

IMO, this is where the problem arises. You are speaking of what you prefer and what you want and giving your desires as a reason not to become Catholic. But what does God want for you? Is not his desire and his preference infinitely more important? Are you at all open to the idea that God might be calling you to be an unmarried pastor, even within your own denomination? It just sounds like you are not Catholic literally because you have put your desires before God’s.

I hope I’m wrong though.

sorry to say this but you are wrong

 

[achristiantoo]

I believe I was replying to your post in which you were saying that you did not think we believed you were a part of the Church.

That you are a Christian who has been misguided and sadly lacks the fullness of Truth.

because i was batized as an infant you believe I am still catholic …just excommunicated,…

I do not believe i am catholic anymore

 

[achristiantoo]

for me, It is dependant historically on the word of God .

 

[achristiantoo]

i will take this to another thread,

“deficiences in other churches”

please elaborate…

 

[LDNCatholic]

because i was batized as an infant you believe I am still catholic …just excommunicated,…

I know that, you were commenting on Catholic beliefs though.

 

[guanophore]

thank you for comfirming what I thaught was true in regards to celibacy in the catholic church.

This is a reason why I am not catholic today.

I doubt that.

the church I belong too is the church body of believers in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which I believe you are also very much part of.

I just do not believe that you believe I am a part of His church body.

That would depend upon whether you were validly baptized.

See, I believe His church body has many parts

This much is Catholic.

which consist of the many churches of this world who gather together in unity and express their belief in Jesus who died for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and one day will come to earth once more.

There are a couple problems with this. One is that there are no "churches’ that are members of the Body of Christ. Jesus only has One Body, and only founded One Church. It is made up of members (people), not of ecclesial communities.

The other problem is that there is no unity among these ecclesial communities.

that is the same Jesus you and the Roman Catholic church believe in correct?

Probably not. While we also profess a Jesus who died for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will one day come again. But the Jesus we believe in expects us to follow all of HIs commandments, and to remain in unity with the authority He appointed over us.

I am sorry you believe I obey the teaching of man, I strive to obey God’s teachings and being obedient to the guidance of the Holy Spirit

Obviously you are very fervent about your faith. I am sure you read the Bible,and to the best you can with what little you have.

Like I posted previously …if I wanted to lead a church and keep my options open to be married i will be unable to do so in the Catholic church

This is true. The Catholic Church is led by her Head, Jesus, and those who have been grafted into HImself as servants to the flock. No one just takes it upon themselves to “lead a church”, because Jesus taught differently.

I will then follw the footsteps of someone like Dr David Jeremiah who is married and has a very deep passion to follow Christ.

thank you

May God richly bless all that you consecrate to HIm.

 

[guanophore]

because i was batized as an infant you believe I am still catholic …just excommunicated,…

I do not believe i am catholic anymore

Does believing something make it true? If I believe the moon is made of Swiss Cheese, will that make it true?

for me, It is dependant historically on the word of God .

What does this mean, exactly?

Did you know that the Word of God is not confined to the Bible?

 

[joe370]

far sight I understand exactly what you are saying that It is his choice to commit to celibacy as a priest. I get that.

My point is…

Isn’t a man obligated to make a vow of celicacy before being ordained as a priest.?

Example…

If I wanted to be a priest in the catholic church anywhere in the world today, but did not want to make a vow of celibacy because I wanted to keep the option of marriage open in my future,
would I still be able to be ordained as a priest and possibly be a bishop or cardinal without taking the celibacy vow?

Thank you

If one is already married eg, protestant Pastor, and wants to convert and be a priest, exceptions have been made in the Catholic Church, so yes, a married protestant minister can become a priest, but once a single man becomes a priest that option is taken off the table.

 

[rinnie]

Problem??? no problem…

Like I posted previously …if I wanted to lead a church and keep my options open to be married i will be unable to do so in the Catholic church

I will then follw the footsteps of someone like Dr David Jeremiah who is married and has a very deep passion to follow Christ.

thank you

But what if you were called to not keep your options open and lead the RCC someday. What if God wanted you give up your options for the sake of his kingdom and join the Roman Rite what would you do then?

Do you think that your options would not be as important to you if this call came from God to join the RC order? Or do you feel that you would still need to keep open them options?

See the way I see it. If you are called to give up your life totally to God in the RCC you options as you call it are pretty limited.

BUt again what would you do if this call came to your from God?

Well the Roman Catholic Priest decided to do just that. Take the only option that he was given. Put all of his trust compeltely in Christ and answer the call.

So leaving yourself options do you see that as completely trusting God, or do you think it could just be possible you are putting a little of your own desires in the mix? Just asking

 

[joe370]

what exactly do you mean by lacking fullness of faith?

For me, as a former protestant, I simply wanted to find the fullness of truth, (everything that Jesus taught) - and scripture reminds us that the holy spirit is guiding Jesus’ church, and has been since Pentecost, into all truth until the end of time (John 14:16; John 16:13) - so the 64000 dollar question is: where in the world today, regarding the myriad churches that we see all preaching and teaching truth, can the fullness of truth be found? Jesus said: “I will build my church…” - Where is the church Jesus built, is still building, as opposed to a church built, still being built, by a mere man such as Joseph Smith or Calvin or Luther, and the list goes on and on? Perhaps the fullness of truth can be found in this church?

 

[ConstantineTG]

Lets be clear here. St. Paul in his epistle said that we should remain in the state we are when we are called. So nowhere in the Catholic Church would a priest be allowed to marry. Once you have received ordination (thus receive your calling) then you are to remain in the state you are (married or celibate). If a married deacon or priest’s wife dies, only in very special circumstances will they be allowed to re-marry.

The discipline is that the Roman Catholic Church only ordains celibate men. Many of the Eastern Churches will ordain married men. But if you receive ordination as a celibate, you will remain a celibate.

 

[thomasf]

To further clarify for the OP, nuns are NOT ordained. They have voluntarily joined a religious order and voluntarily taken vows of celibacy. They do so of their own will and dedicate themselves to those orders. But to be clear, becoming a nun is not the only option for women wishing to serve in the ministry in the Catholic Church.

Something else to consider. I heard on the radio today, less than 2% of men in the catholic church become priests. The priesthood is a reserved call to orders. Not everyone is called, not everyone who believes they are called make it, and there are strict guidelines and requirements (especially today). Priests are necessary for the church to stay alive, and have apostolic succession from Peter and the Apostles. They are not, by and large, the majority of the church.

The church teaches that the sacraments of marriage and holy orders are ‘vocations’. For the vast majority of people in the church, they will be called to marriage. (Or stay single/celibate. I’ve already posted about what Jesus has to say about those who are NOT called to marriage.) And for a large part of the church, lay people are called to the special ministries and positions in the church. There are plenty of opportunities for ministry and teaching and evangelization and spirituality and spreading God’s Word in the church, for lay people. I think the OP might be under the assumption that if you want to be a part of the church ministries and you’re married you have no options. This is not true. There are plenty of opportunities for lay married/single people in the church, as I’ve said. In fact, the lay people are needed now more than ever to take positions of leadership in the church for special ministries. Just because a married person cannot be a priest does not mean that there is no hope for ministry for them in the church.

And that doesn’t even include opportunities for men to become married permanent Deacons.

Priests make up a scant 2% of the male population of the church. There are vast opportunities for everyone else to serve God in His Catholic Church.

 

[Farsight001]

Farsight001;7799881:

sorry to say this but you are wrong

What else would you call not taking a vow of celibacy literally because YOU don’t want to? You literally said that YOU didn’t want to become a priest because YOU wanted to get married some day. What God wants for you wasn’t even mentioned.

 

[achristiantoo]

I know that, you were commenting on Catholic beliefs though.

those beliefs i stated I believe are common among Jesus’ entire body of Christian believers which includes Catholics

 

[achristiantoo]

Really?

If that is the case then there is no hope for me.

You see I could be a hermit
living in wilderness feeding on the veggies in my garden. I never been to church … I only been reading the bible all my life. I am week and believe I am breathing my last.

Are you telling me there is more for me to know than the promises of God stated in scripture in order for me to get to heaven?

please tell me or else I am doomed. I do not want to go to hell

 

[LDNCatholic]

those beliefs i stated I believe are common among Jesus’ entire body of Christian believers which includes Catholics

I refer you to the original posts:

by the way vse driver… the church I belong too is the church body of believers in Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ which I believe you are also very much part of.

I just do not believe that you believe I am a part of His church body.

Here you state that you do not think that Catholics believe you are a part of the Church

Incorrect. You have indicated that you were baptised a Catholic.

You are a Catholic who has excommunicated yourself from the Church by apostasy.

Nevertheless you are a Catholic.

Here I tell you that as you were baptised a Catholic, you are a member of the Church, albeit one who has willfully excommunicated themself

that is your belief not mine… what would say if I was never baptized in the catholic church but only baptized as an adult non catholic?

Here you dismiss my point as it is Catholic belief (the very belief system you were originally referring to).

 

[achristiantoo]

I doubt that.

I said one reason not the only reason

That would depend upon whether you were validly baptized.

**well now, if I was only baptized by immersion as an adult in a non catholic church, is that valid?

and if not, do you then believe there is no way for me to be part of His body unless I get baptized correctly?**

This much is Catholic.

it is also christian, yes?

There are a couple problems with this. One is that there are no "churches’ that are members of the Body of Christ. Jesus only has One Body, and only founded One Church. It is made up of members (people), not of ecclesial communities.

agree to disageee

Probably not. While we also profess a Jesus who died for our sins, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven and will one day come again. But the Jesus we believe in expects us to follow all of HIs commandments, and to remain in unity with the authority He appointed over us.

**my friend, I am so glad you said this.

you just stated one of the main reasons I am not catholic

I do not know about you but I realiized there is no way for me to live up to, even though I try as hard as I do, the 10 commandments of the bible every day of my life.

not only those but look at Gal 5 19-21

Is there anyone you know who does not struggle with at least one of these sins … sins which will prevent one from entering heaven.

I guess from a catholic viewpoint there is no hope for me

I am im a difficient church, not having fullness of truth and you believe I do not follow same Jesus.

My friend I very much believe I found truth and hope by the preacious blood Jesus shed on the cross**

Obviously you are very fervent about your faith. I am sure you read the Bible,and to the best you can with what little you have.

oh my … little? I will not be able to live long enough to realize ALL the bible has to offer.
what then DOES the bible mean to you?

This is true. The Catholic Church is led by her Head, Jesus, and those who have been grafted into HImself as servants to the flock. No one just takes it upon themselves to “lead a church”, because Jesus taught differently.

i stand corrected, should God call me to pastor a church,… like He has the many married pastors of the world

May God richly bless all that you consecrate to HIm

May God richly bless you

 

[guanophore]

Really?

If that is the case then there is no hope for me.

Are you really that stubborn? The only person who has “no hope” is the final impenitent - the one who willfully and completely refuses the grace of God up to the last minute.

You see I could be a hermit

living in wilderness feeding on the veggies in my garden. I never been to church … I only been reading the bible all my life. I am week and believe I am breathing my last.

Perhaps you will be able to reconcile while there is yet time, to the One Church founded by Christ.

 Are you telling me there is more for me to know than the promises of God stated in scripture in order for me to get to heaven?

Yes! What made you think that the Bible contained all there was to know? The Bible does not even say this about itself.

 please tell me or else I am doomed.  I do not want to go to hell

God will judge you on the basis of how obedient you have been to the truth revealed to you. But, if you don’t want to take any chances, you could always go to confession.