Why should priests be celibate?

[pete_bowes]

Jesus picked Simon known as Peter … and cured his mother-in-law of fever.
St Mark 1 29-39

 

[ahs]

Jesus picked Simon known as Peter … and cured his mother-in-law of fever.
St Mark 1 29-39

That’s really wonderful, too, yet has nothing to do with priestly celibacy.

Priests choose celibacy because Christ did.

The Church chooses from among celibate men for the Priesthood so that they will not have divided interests…as Paul warned about in Scripture.

 

[rf9661]

I’m sure you’re already familiar with the scriptural and/or writings of the Church Doctors or synods and councils that speak of this, and if you haven’t, I’m nearly certain someone else will do so shortly.

I would instead like to let you know how it benefits disregarding scripture or writings.

When we look at it, marriage is a HUGE commitment. It requires lots of time, work, and dedication to have a fruitful marriage. Marriages also lead to children. Even MORE time commitment. Can someone who has also taken on the commitments of the priesthood take all that extra commitments? I’m not certain they can. It could act as a distraction. A priest dedicates their life to serving Christ, and the public. Very often, a priest will need to run out in the wee-hours of the morning to administer a sacrament. Would this be fair to their wife? Having a husband who is constantly away serving others? I think not.

Also: TRADITION!!!

 

[PennyinCanada]

and cured his mother-in-law of fever.

Indeed he did! But no where is it mentioned that Peter had a wife. He could have been a widower.
I smile when I read that because I imagine the guys were hungry and she was a good cook! An answer to prayer! lol

 

[Mhkc]

Yeah, sacred tradition, magisterium, and scripture is a big reason I’m Cathoilc. There just a lot more to the story than " ONLY SCRIPTURE"… regarding the practice of celibacy… I had often wondered difficulty of the sacrifice that is for a person pursuing Roman Catholicism is a priest… I’m not sure the exact scripture but I believe there are words of Jesus speaking to the fact of something to the effect that those who have the gift let him have it… Referring to the ability to be celibate and not have the tendency to act out on the natural sex urge.

There’s that YouTube channel called Ascension press… And father Mike Schmitz tells his hstory of how he got ordinated in consecrated… he said it hasn’t decreases attraction of women at all… And idk… but wouldnt surprise me if he still repents of masturbation…

I also believe the laity are called to be Saints and pursue sainthood in personal Holiness regardless of state, marriage fatherhood etc… I know that is just my personal view because I listen to the catechism from Archbishop Fulton J Sheen and I’m under that influence teaching…

I personally don’t want to give up on the opportunity become married even though I have not yet and I’m 44 and a half years old… But even the pre-cana process is 9 months… and I don’t have any prospects right now and I do know one thing but it’s better to follow God regardless and if I am somehow granted the opportunity to show the sacrament of matrimony within the context of Catholic faith with another person I will accept it but if not… I’m still called to personal Holiness, chastity, and to be a sacrifice servant to the church

 

[Inquiry]

I also believe the laity are called to be Saints and pursue sainthood in personal Holiness regardless of state, marriage fatherhood etc… I know that is just my personal view because I listen to the catechism from Archbishop Fulton J Sheen and I’m under that influence teaching…

Is that really just a personal view?

 

[po18guy]

Ask any Priest. Celibacy is a gift.

Should that be taken away from the Church? Away from the servants of God who sit in Persona Christi?

There is a flawed human trait in which we become more concerned with someone else’s life than they are; we become upset when they are not upset; even initiating action when they desire no action be taken. It is the genesis of activism where none is needed.

Rather, what is wrong with us?

 

[Mhkc]

Is that really just a personal view?

I choose to adopt that POV. I know of some Catholics that might define their call to service differently. I happen to be influenced greatly and regularly by archbishop fulton sheen. YouTube has his 25hr Catechism talks. Been a good resource for me.

I’m also really really glad that the parishes in my area are doing a lot of intensive laity work with men’s ministry. It seemed so lacking un times prior, I left Catholicism for sake of not feeling like it was appropriate to dig deep with peers about faith … or of I had deep questions…it was like “good for u. Good luck w that. Go to seminary”…

Now its like I’m in service now, not later. I’m in God’s school, I’m sharing in God’s school now. I don’t need a special license to learn to love, learn to take correction, learn humility…

 

[pete_bowes]

The will to restrain is a gift … celibacy its reward.

 

[Gorgias]

pete_bowes:

and cured his mother-in-law of fever.

Indeed he did! But no where is it mentioned that Peter had a wife. He could have been a widower.
I smile when I read that because I imagine the guys were hungry and she was a good cook! An answer to prayer! lol

And besides which: what daughter would let her mom get up off her deathbed – from which she was just cured, a minute ago – to make a big meal for her husband and his buddies, without telling her mom to sit down and let her do the work? It boggles the imagination to think that she wasn’t there for her mom, and would let her mom do all the work. Conclusion: Peter was a widower.

 

[po18guy]

For a fact, one need not be a priest to practice a chaste life. Don’t we all know of a maiden aunt? But an even more impressive case is the marriage of Saint Elzéar and Blessed Delphine of Glandèves.

Only after they married did Delphine reveal that she had taken a vow of chastity/virginity. Elzéar, Saint that he was and is, took the same vow and they lived a chaste marriage, both becoming 3rd order Franciscans.

 

[Kindnessmatters]

I understand celibacy is a gift to those priests who honor it and should not be taken from them.

I do question, however, particularly as we now accept the transfer of holy orders of former Anglican priests who are married, and in the wake of the scandals, if it isn’t time to make celibacy an optional vow. We also have a priesthood comprised of nearly 50% men 70 years of age or older, and not nearly enough entering vocations.

Celibacy as a requirement certainly contributed to the disproportionate percentage of homosexual in the priesthood, and sexually disordered priests attracted to teens and children, as the priesthood became a place where they could hide in plain site.

It strikes me, having been impacted by such a priest, that what adjustments we might have to make from a practical standing could be managed, and the benefit to parishioners would be great. I will support whatever Rome determines but personally feel the mandatory aspect of celibacy should be retired.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

Celibacy as a requirement certainly contributed to the disproportionate percentage of homosexual in the priesthood, and sexually disordered priests attracted to teens and children, as the priesthood became a place where they could hide in plain site.

Recent changes in the secular world make the priesthood mich less desirable in all fronts

 

[po18guy]

Married men who are ordained must make no such vow.

The priest shortage is due to lack of prayer on our part.

I know that’s not a very satisfying response, but it is the Holy Spirit who leads young (*and not so young) men toward the priesthood.

Classically, the answer has never been to alter or lower standards and expectations. Such action inevitably leads to failure and disappointment - exactly what the evil one is pushing for.

 

[Kindnessmatters]

I’m not sure I understand what you mean.

 

[VanitasVanitatum]

They don’t need to hide in the priesthood anymore because society more or less accepts them.

 

[Cathoholic]

pete_bowes . . .

Why should priests be celibate?

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In following Christ’s virginity in a celibate life is a gift.

Revelation 14 refers to people who are virgins.

“Virgins” in an ecclesiastical sense are men/women who have “made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven” (c.f. Matt. 19:12).

REVELATION 14:1-5 1 Then I looked, and lo, on Mount Zion stood the Lamb, and with him a hundred and forty-four thousand who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder; the voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps, 3 and they sing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from the earth. 4 It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are chaste ; it is these who follow the Lamb wherever he goes; these have been redeemed from mankind as first fruits for God and the Lamb, 5 and in their mouth no lie was found, for they are spotless.

“Chaste” in Revelation 14:4 = “parthenos” = “virgins”

REVELATION 14:4a It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are chaste ;

Literally “they are virgins”.

REVELATION 14:4a (NIV) It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins

REVELATION 14:4 (New Jerusalem Bible) These are the sons who have kept their virginity and not been defiled with women; they follow the Lamb wherever he goes; they, out of all people, have been redeemed to be the first-fruits for God and for the Lamb.

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This is a GIFT.

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Because of the degree of dedication in this sphere, it is a higher calling than even the married state!

SESSION 24 COUNCIL OF TRENT CANON X - If any one saith, that the marriage state is to be placed above the state of virginity, or of celibacy,
and that it is not better and more blessed to
remain in virginity, or in celibacy,
than to be united in matrimony;
let him be anathema.

CCC 1619 Virginity for the sake of the kingdom of heaven is an unfolding of baptismal grace, a powerful sign of the supremacy of the bond with Christ and of the ardent expectation of his return, a sign which also recalls that marriage is a reality of this present age which is passing away.

 

[Cathoholic]

Chastity is on of the three evangelical counsels.

From Wikipedia . . . .

The three evangelical counsels or counsels of perfection in Christianity are chastity, poverty (or perfect charity), and obedience.[1] As Jesus of Nazareth stated in the Canonical gospels,[2] they are counsels for those who desire to become “perfect” (τελειος, cf. Matthew 19:21, see also Strong’s G5046 and Imitatio dei). The Catholic Church interprets this to mean that they are not binding upon all and hence not necessary conditions to attain eternal life (heaven). Rather they are “acts of supererogation” that exceed the minimum stipulated in the Commandments in the Bible.[3] Catholics that have made a public profession to order their life by the evangelical counsels, and confirmed this by a public religious vow before their competent church authority (the act of religious commitment called “profession”), are recognised as members of the consecrated life. . . .

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So when Catholic priests evangelize new people or territories, or whatever, these counsels serve to open doors to Jesus Christ.

OK Cathoholic. HOW would it open doors to Jesus?

Answer: Think about it. You are “evangelizing” natives in a new land (or unchurched in your neighborhood).

The Priest wants to tell you about God taken to Himself flesh. He wants to tell you intimate things about the God-man Jesus Christ.

The natives are thinking (and discussing) . . .

• "He doesn’t want our gold (poverty).
• He doesn’t want political dominion over us (obedience).
• He doesn’t want our women (chastity).

OK. Let’s at least listen to what he has to say about this Jesus person and at least take it from there!"

That’s how these counsels have helped to spread the Gospel.

Hope this helps @pete_bowes.

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[Kindnessmatters]

I get your point. Truly. I am not attacking celibacy nor priests who cherish the vow. I also recognize I see things through a filter damaged by a sick person. Of course, I am upset to know that sick person was a bit like finding a rat…where one is found, hundreds more dwell.

Nevertheless, please do not too quickly dismiss needs I am expressing as a parishioner which are both reasonable and valid.

Many of us were seriously hurt. I believe parishioners need to know the “men’s club” of the priesthood includes women as wives. Women bring a protective influence, particularly for children. The vow of celibacy needn’t be banished, but I do not believe permitting married men to be ordained would damage or diminish the priesthood. I believe it would go a long way toward mitigating and preventing further damage. Most people, including priests, do not need to worry about such things. But the church traditionally takes a position that any appearance of scandal must be avoided. The status quo creates an appearance of ongoing scandal. I am sorry to the good priests that this is so, but unfortunately, we as a community need the culture that permitted abuses to occur to be turned on its head. Permitting the one type of healthy sexual relationship recognized by the church for our priests, marriage, would go a very long way to fixing the appearance of scandal and is likely the only measure that will meet this need.

Women are not inherently damaging to men, faith or church. Nor are we primarily sexual objects.

We do bring value to our relationships and should not be viewed solely nor primarily as demanding burdens. Such evaluations totally disregard how the priest and his faith will grow as a direct result of being a husband and father if he chose to have a family.

 

[AlNg]

He could have been a widower.

Whether he had a wife or was a widower that would most likely mean that he had not been celibate?

But no where is it mentioned that Peter had a wife.

1 Corinthians 9:5, in which Paul says, “Do we not have the right to take along a Christian wife, as do the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?”

Further, it appears that many of the disciples of Jesus were married:
1 Timothy 3: 1-13
Titus 1: 5-9