This has probably been talked about before...

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VOW

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To Cammie:

From Scripture, we know that Peter was certainly married!

We also know that Paul was not. Paul even speaks highly of celibacy.

In the Early Church, many priests and even some Popes were married. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, priests are still allowed to marry. And not too many people know that there are very rare instances where you will find a married Catholic priest. IIRC, a man who is an ordained minister in a Protestant faith and is married, and who converts to Catholicism I believe has the opportunity to become a priest and remain married.

Throughout the history of the Church, there have been times of trouble. The Church and the ruling Royalty of countries were often mired together in controversy. The Church, by its very function as guardian of the souls of the believers, held a great deal of power, and this power was often misused and abused. A lot of power can be tied up in land ownership. It's my understanding that priests were using the power of acquiring land through marriage and disposing of it through their offspring that a great deal of corruption was encountered. In an effort to eliminate this temptation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it was determined that priests were better off dedicating their lives to God, completely.

Catholics have had religious who have lived cloistered, isolated lives, so as to better distance themselves from earthly distractions.

But one of the biggest examples of the celibate lifestyle is that Jesus was unmarried.


Peace be with you,
~VOW
 
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isshinwhat

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1 Corinthians 7:32-36

But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord--how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares about the things of the world--how he may please his wife. There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world--how she may please her husband. And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

Matthew 19:11-12

[Jesus] said to them, "All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept it, let him accept it."

Like VOW said, a large part of the reason the Catholic Church requires most of her priests to be celibate is it allows them complete freedom in serving the Lord. As Paul said, a married man must be concerned about his family. He must find a way to support those who are dependant upon him, and take care of the matters of the household. An unmarried man is free to "serve the Lord without distraction." We believe that is what Christ was speaking about when He said that some would make themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven. The Catholic Church wants her priests to be as free as possible in their devotion to the Lord.

Again, to echo VOW's statement, there are some married Catholic priests. Many non-Catholics do not realize that there are many different Rites within the Catholic Church. They each have different styles of worshipping, different music and prayers, even different theolgies, but they all agree on doctrine. For instance, and Eastern Catholic will never... well, rarely, speak of Purgatory, but if you ask him or her to describe the Final Theosis, they will tell you using their terminology and words about the final conviction that will hit some when they see Christ and are judged by Him. Same concept, different terminology. In much the same way, they have different rules for their priests. An Eastern Catholic priest can be married when he is ordained. They cannot marry after ordination, but a married man can become a priest. In both the Latin Rite (which is what most Catholics belong to) and the various Eastern Rites, a Bishop is chosen only from among the celibate. Neither one is more Catholic, they just have different rules and terms.

Hope we helped.

God Bless,

Neal
 
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fragmentsofdreams

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Originally posted by Cammie
But why can't Catholic priests marry? I really don't understand the logic...can someone explain (with Scripture please)?

Celibacy has the advantage of being able to move to where one is needed without attachments and the ability to take a stand without worry of the fate of one's spouse and children. Also, it solved the problem of priests and bishops giving land to their children. It does carry disadvantages, but the Catholic Church has decided that it is more beneficial than detrimental.
 
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blessed2

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better the question is why is it being considered that the church may start allowing priests to marry? and why the subject beinng brought up in answer to priest who molest children? and what does one have to do with the other?
These aren't priests who are slipping out having consentual relations with women. They are pedophile
and abstinence
does not a pedophile
make any more than a few pedophiles
in priests clothing make all priests bad.
 
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nyj

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blessed2 said:
better the question is why is it being considered that the church may start allowing priests to marry?
It's not being considered.

PS: Why did we dig out a year old thread when there is a current discussion on priests and marriage already taking place?
 
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