Why Celibacy for Catholic Priests and Nuns?

Hey!

Not sure if this is the right forum, (Moderator Please feel free to delete this if this is offensive or in the wrong place)

First of all don't mean offense to anyone, There is an article published by one of India's leading magazines which talks about the issue and the controversy surrounding it..

To Cast The First Stone | Minu Ittyipe

I am an catholic myself (technically), I just want to know Why Celibacy for Catholic priests and nuns? How the tradition started? Is celibacy commanded in Bible?

Thanks

Ah... shouldn't you ask the Roman Catholics?

No, it is not biblical at all.

For starters, Peter, who they believe was the first Pope, had a wife as it is told in Luke 4:38-39.

Ye hypocrites!

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For monks and nuns the groups were single-sex and couldn't marry each other. It was (is!) a way of life some choose. Comes as part of the deal in being monastic.

For those of us who are unmarried, yes. Paul promotes it as a lifestyle for some.

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Went rogue for a day - didn't last too long! Apologies to anyone I had confused.

Where in the Bible does Paul say this, directly referring to clergymen, please?

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He recommends it in general (I think 1 Corinthinans?) but he doesn't pick out the ordained in particular. Certainly in other letters of his he acknowledges married clergy (the Letters to Timothy for example).

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Went rogue for a day - didn't last too long! Apologies to anyone I had confused.

Originally Posted by Sun2

Hey!

Not sure if this is the right forum, (Moderator Please feel free to delete this if this is offensive or in the wrong place)

First of all don't mean offense to anyone, There is an article published by one of India's leading magazines which talks about the issue and the controversy surrounding it..

To Cast The First Stone | Minu Ittyipe

I am an catholic myself (technically), I just want to know Why Celibacy for Catholic priests and nuns? How the tradition started? Is celibacy commanded in Bible?

Thanks

Hi.

It's not basically a theological or Biblical issue. It owes more to history and the decision of the Catholic Church. In the case of monks and nuns, they come from the hermits who, from the times of the very early church, went off into the desert and other such areas to live alone and devote themselves totally to prayer, meditation, the contemplation of Christ and preparing themselves for the afterlife.

The Church authorities gradually gathered these people together so that they'd have some supervision, and monasteries and convents or nunneries were created. Celibacy is a natural part of a life dedicated totally to spirituality, so it has long been one of the vows taken by such people (along with poverty and obedience to the rules of their order).

In the case of ordinary priests, they were the rule in the Western church for about the first thousand years. In the Eastern Christian churches they still are. But it was thought by the Catholic church that their pastors would be better stewards of the congregations if they didn't also have the responsibilities of family life--and so it was ordered.

Today, there is pressure growing for the Vatican to change that, and it might be done one of these days. There is no theological problem with that because it was only a church regulation in the first place.

Nuns by their very definition cannot marry, as they are married to Jesus Christ. Monks also cannot marry as their calling is to devote their entire live to Jesus Christ.

With regard to priestly celibacy, one Bible passage does come to mind.

"One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided." (1 Corinthians 7:32-34)

I do not agree with compulsory celibacy for priests - I believe that priests should be allowed to marry and experience romantic love.

That's a no-brainer, it's a demonic doctrine...


1 Timothy 4:3

1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.3 They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,5 because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

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Earnestly seek God's desires, not your own.

Wake up each morning with the thought "who can I bless today", "how can I give glory to God today", and pray "Lord fill me with your Holy Spirit, bless people through me, and keep me from sin, temptation and disastrous schemes of the devil".

And don't listen to heavy metal music 'cause it's bad for you.

Yes, the Catholic board would make a better effort at defending a poor man-made rule of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church.

I would note that the Orthodox Church has married priests. The Eastern Rites of the Catholic Church have married priests, as does the Anglican Ordinairiate of the RCC (Anglicans who moved to the RCC). For years, on an individual basis, priests converting to the RCC have been allowed to become RCC priests and remained married.

The issue is NOT about Scripture. Scripture does not demand celibacy for priests, although it helps in a monastic life (but not in a pastoral one). The RCC knows this or they wouldn't allow marriage for so many of their priests. IMHO, those called to celibacy should be encouraged. Those called to marriage should be encouraged. Those called to priesthood, whether married or not, should be encouraged.

The only controversy is when the RCC will accept married priests into the Latin Rite, without first becoming priests elsewhere,