Question for my Catholic brothers and sisters

Always in His Presence said:

Matt 8:14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.

It is obvious from Holy Scripture that Peter was married.

1. Why doesn’t the leadership allow priests to follow Peter in marriage?

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Its a discipline His Church established. All Holy Priests I've known, and there are many, agree with an unmarried clergy and look at celibacy as a great blessing.

Always in His Presence said:

Matt 8:14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.

It is obvious from Holy Scripture that Peter was married.

1. Why doesn’t the leadership allow priests to follow Peter in marriage?

Click to expand...

I affirm that Peter was married (cf. Matt 8:14), and this is not disputed. However, clerical celibacy is a discipline, not dogma (cf. CCC 1579–1580), instituted “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 19:12). The Church, in her prudential authority, upholds this discipline in the Latin Rite to reflect Christ’s own celibate life and total dedication to His Bride, the Church.

Exceptions exist (e.g. Eastern Catholic priests), but the discipline remains a sign of eschatological witness and pastoral availability—not a denial of Peter’s marital state, but a different vocation within the same apostolic tradition.

Always in His Presence said:

Okay - I wonder sometimes if the 'discipline' is working. Given the multiple thousands of instances of sexual sin - both pedophilia and moral failures with woman, would it be beneficial to make celibacy and option.

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Of course it is working. Moral failures with a woman are very rare.

Always in His Presence said:

Okay - I wonder sometimes if the 'discipline' is working. Given the multiple thousands of instances of sexual sin - both pedophilia and moral failures with woman, would it be beneficial to make celibacy and option.

My father was a seminarian and left because he met my mother and fell in love. With such a great need of priest to the point that churches are closing because of the lack of clergy - it just seen a logical solution for both.

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I understand your concern, and I share your sorrow over the grave failures that have wounded so many. The discipline of celibacy, however, is not merely a practical rule but a profound theological witness—modelled on Christ Himself, who gave His whole life in undivided love for the Church. While the Church does allow married clergy in certain rites and circumstances, Latin Rite celibacy remains a gift, not a burden, expressing total availability to God and His people. Reform must address sin, not sacrifice the sacred.

Always in His Presence said:

and the multiple molestations globally that have been happening for decades that we know about?

Or the lack of men willing to enter a ministry?

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So, a healthy male if deprived of a marriage and a sexual relationship with a woman will end up craving prepubescent boys. Do you realize how stupid that idea is?

Always in His Presence said:

What role does it play in the exponential drop in the number of men entering the priesthood?

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I appreciate the question, and I understand the concern—it’s one I’ve heard often, especially in ecumenical conversations. I hold that the priesthood is not merely a career choice but a sacramental vocation instituted by Christ Himself. The decline in vocations, particularly among men entering the priesthood, is a complex phenomenon, and I wouldn’t attribute it to any single cause, least of all the sacramental theology that underpins it.

From a historical perspective, the drop in priestly vocations—especially in Western countries—has coincided with broader cultural shifts: secularisation, the sexual revolution, the erosion of traditional family structures, and a widespread mistrust of institutions. These factors have affected all Christian communities, not just the Catholic Church. In fact, many Pentecostal denominations have also seen fluctuations in leadership formation, albeit in different ways.

It’s worth noting that the Catholic Church has never promised numerical success as a sign of fidelity. Christ Himself spoke of the narrow path and the few who find it. The priesthood, as understood in Catholic dogma, is a participation in the one priesthood of Christ, requiring celibacy (in the Latin Rite), theological formation, and a lifelong commitment to service. These demands are countercultural and, frankly, daunting in today’s climate.

That said, I don’t see the decline as a failure of Catholic theology. If anything, I see it as a call to deeper witness—to live the faith more visibly, to support vocations more intentionally, and to trust that the Holy Spirit continues to guide the Church, even through seasons of pruning. Vocations are rising in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America, where the faith is lived with vibrancy and communal support. The global picture is more nuanced than the Western narrative suggests.

So, while I acknowledge the concern, I don’t believe Catholic teaching on the priesthood is the cause of the decline. Rather, I see it as a beacon—challenging, yes, but profoundly beautiful and enduring. And I remain hopeful, because the Church has weathered many storms before, and Christ has promised to be with her always.

Always in His Presence said:

When you can converse without condensation or attempted insults - I will respond - until then - have a great day.

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I addressed the idea, not you. I suggest you read what is posted, and nothing more.

The idea you put forth has been shot down many times before. You are not the first one to parrot this crazy notion, and I'm sure you will not be the last.

Well I am a Catholic who believes that this particular discipline no longer serves the People of God. Celibacy can be a wonderful spiritual discipline.
But making it a requirement for ordained ministry ( in most cases) seems problematic. This is especially so when it is not applied universally, when there are exceptions.

Let's see

Priest Worldwide:

1970: 419,728
2017: 414,582
2018: 414,969
2019: 414,336
2020: 410,219
2021: 407,872
2022: 407,730
2023: 406,996

Deacons Worldwide

2017: 46,312
2018: 47,000
2019: 48,000
2020 48,500
2021: 49,176
2022: 50,150
2023: 51,433


Total ordained Men in the Catholic Church

2017: 460,894
2018: 461,969
2019: 462,336
2020: 458,719
2021: 457,048
2022: 457,880
2023: 458,429


Hardly hemorrhaging

You really have an axe to grind don't you. But guess what, you have fact checkers here and people more knowledgeable than you about the Christian faith.

concretecamper said:

Priest Worldwide:

1970: 419,728
2017: 414,582
2018: 414,969
2019: 414,336
2020: 410,219
2021: 407,872
2022: 407,730
2023: 406,996

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Thanks for the stats.
So from 1970 to 2023 there was a 3% drop. I focus on priests because only they can preside at Mass, hear confessions and anoint the sick. No doubt there is much regional variation.

Globally there is one priest for every 3,373 Catholics in the world.
But the ratio is one priest for every 5,534 Catholics in the Americas and
one priest for every 5,101 Catholics in Africa.
There are 1,784 Catholics per priest in Europe,
2,137 Catholics per priest in Asia and
2,437 Catholics per priest in Oceania.

Always in His Presence said:

Why doesn’t the leadership allow priests to follow Peter in marriage?

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The Church cites several reasons for requiring celibacy, including the priest's complete availability for service to the Church, the symbolic representation of the "Bride of Christ" (the Church), and the sacrifice of marriage and family life for a higher spiritual calling.

Christ never married. His life is valid justification for the vocation to celibacy.

Celibacy is one of those signs that reminds us of Christ’s absolute demands, of his liberating return, of the economy of the kingdom of heaven, of the need to be vigilant, to break with the world, with the flesh, with lust, and, with joy in our hearts, to accept renunciation of the passions for pure love of Jesus. Celibacy reminds us that marriage in Christ also entails sacrificial demands: complete and lifelong faithfulness (monogamy and indissolubility), and purity of heart (adultery is not merely physical). Celibacy is one way of obeying Christ’s invitation: «If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it» (Mt 16:24-25).

Akita Suggagaki said:

Thanks for the stats.
So from 1970 to 2023 there was a 3% drop. I focus on priests because only they can preside at Mass, hear confessions and anoint the sick. No doubt there is much regional variation.

Globally there is one priest for every 3,373 Catholics in the world.
But the ratio is one priest for every 5,534 Catholics in the Americas and
one priest for every 5,101 Catholics in Africa.
There are 1,784 Catholics per priest in Europe,
2,137 Catholics per priest in Asia and
2,437 Catholics per priest in Oceania.

Vatican statistics show decline in clergy, religious women, worldwide - Catholic Review

The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2021, while the number of seminarians, priests, and men and women in religious orders declined, according to Vatican statistics.

catholicreview.org

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Deacons can take a lot of responsibilities off the shoulders of priests. This gives them time for more confessions, anointings, Mass, etc.

So to focus on only priests means not looking at the entire picture.