Why can't Catholic priests marry?

Question

I know this is not Biblical because Peter had a wife and nowhere are we told in the Bible that a man cant marry. Matter of a fact the Bible says that it is better to marry than to burn in your lust.

This sure would solve many of the Catholic molesting problems.

Answer 1

Because, in spite of the billions the vatican has in cash, land, gold, stolen art work, etc., it doesn't want to have to give the money out to help anyone. Proof in point: When was the last time you hear the media quoting the vatican that it was going to give anything to people who have lost their homes because of natural disasters? Back in the early '80's when the volcanoe erupted near Naples, Italy, the vatican didn't offer one red cent to help ANYONE! If anyone can show records that prove otherwise, show them.



But for people to claim that Jesus say that preist shouldn't marry is a lie straight from hell. The Bible say:



"A double minded man is unstable in all his ways." James 1:8



Base on the liberal beliefs of the vatican and it followers, Jesus lie.



Besides, base on what they believe, Peter is the only person in history that had a mother in law and no wife.



"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;" 1 Timothy 3:2



"Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." 1 Timothy 3:12



"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15



"...rightly dividing the word of truth." is the part the liberals are missing.



Washington Post (01/31/00) P. A4, From news services--

High AIDS Toll Among Priests Has Been Obscured, Paper Says



KANSAS CITY, MO--AIDS has killed hundreds of Roman Catholic priests in the United States although other causes may be listed on their death certificates, the Kansas City Star reported yesterday.



The newspaper reported that its examination of death certificates and interviews with experts indicated several hundred priests had died of AIDS-related illnesses since the mid-1980s and hundreds have the AIDS virus. The death rate of priests from AIDS is at least four times that of the general population, the newspaper said.



Bishop Raymond J. Boland of the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph said the deaths show that priests are human: "Much as we would regret it, it shows that human nature is human nature."



Six of 10 priests responding on confidential questionnaires from the newspaper said they knew of at least one priest who had died of an AIDS-related illness and one-third knew a priest living with AIDS.



The paper cited the case of Bishop Emerson J. Moore, who left the Archdiocese of New York in 1995 and went to Minnesota, where he died in a hospice of an AIDS-related illness. His death certificate attributed the death to "unknown natural causes" and listed his occupation as "laborer."



After an AIDS activist filed a complaint, officials changed the cause of death to "HIV-related illness," the paper reported, but the occupation was not corrected.



The Word of God refers to the Catholic Church as the “Great Whore.”

Answer 2

I'm guessing it's because of Paul's words in the New Testament, saying that it if someone is unmarried, they should stay unmarried, etc. A Catholic friend told me that they were, at one point, allowed to marry, but I don't have a source to actually back that claim up. However, what I find strange about the whole thing is that GOD ordained marriage long before the first temple or New Testament church came about. God made Adam and Eve for each other, and pronounced their coming together to be good. It doesn't make sense to me that a priest isn't permitted to get married before he becomes a priest. Yet, if he gets married, and then gets the "call" later in life, they let him marry. What is the difference in the timing of when he got married? Some say that being married will distract a man from his work for the kingdom. However, if he chooses a wife who shares his heart for the church, it can be a great blessing. His wife can be a great blessing to the women of the church. His people can see what a loving, Christian marriage is supposed to look like, so when they come to him for marriage counseling, the woman has a woman to talk to, not just the priest! Although not always showcased, the Bible shows how a godly woman can make a vivid impact on history (Rahab, Esther). Allowing priests to marry can also make the church feel like a more safer place for women. My guess, if I had to make a guess, would be because they wanted to keep women out of the church. Either that, or they wanted the priesthood to become a convenient cover for homosexuals, so men who were not straight could enter the priesthood and be celibate for their entire lives, and it would not seem strange. Please take no offense to that statement.

Answer 3

Because most Catholic priest go through the Latin rite of initiation, that's about 98% of all the priests in the world. The remaining 2% go through other rites that allow them to get married. Peter was married you're right, and the Catholic church can allow priests to get married at any time if they wanted to. However, celibacy is applied as a form of discipline, as to gain a personal relationship with God, because a married person might put their wife first in front of God.



Besides only about 1 or 2% of the world's priests have molested children.

Answer 4

Throughout history the Roman Catholic Church has adopted many of the traditions of the pagan religions that they assimilated. Non marriage of the religious hierarchy is just one of them.



Marriage would not solve the problem of child molestation by priests. As a matter of fact this very structure attracted molesters because of the access to children and the protection of the church.

Answer 5

>>I know this is not Biblical because Peter had a wife and nowhere are we told in the Bible that a man cant marry.<<



Peter was already married. Contrary to popular belief, the Catholic Church does ordain men who are ALREADY married. Men do not marry after ordination because, being spiritual fathers, it would be spiritual incest for them to marry their spiritual children.



>>This sure would solve many of the Catholic molesting problems.<<



Most child molesters ARE married.

Answer 6

The Bible doesn't say a person cannot marry, but it does call those to remain single (eunuchs) for God.



There are several Bible verses on celibacy:



Matt 19:12 - "...and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs (gave up children) for the kingdom of heaven.



This verse is referring to those who have taken a firm resolution on leading a single and chaste life in order to serve God in a more perfect state than those who marry as shown in:



1 Cor 7:37-38 - "He that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God." "But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided."



Priests and nuns are not forced not to marry. It is a lifestyle they choose by a vow to better serve God. It's a calling. If a man wants to serve the church but be married with children, he can become a Deacon.

Answer 7

First a child molester is just that. You are either very young or very ignorant...I would like to think you are very young.

The church allows those who are married and of another faith to come to the Catholic church and become priests now and not get divorced but to stay married. So they now have married priests. I think this is a step toward married priests in the near future.

Answer 8

I don't know dude... my father was a catholic priest and nevertheless he had to leave to start a family...



I've asked him and in the catholic religion, they see celibacy as the ultimate sacrifice and is important for priesthood. They way they see it is that they are "marrying" the church, and the commitment they make is to live and work for the church...



I don't know if that would solve anything... the men who did molest children have other issues... a priest who is having trouble with celibacy wouldn't go rape a child - he'd probably get some woman instead...

Answer 9

The RCC does not want the priests to be married, so that they will not have any heirs. They want them to leave their estate to the RCC.

Priests and bishops were not just religious leaders, they also had political power based on the land they controlled. When they died, the land might go to church or the man's heirs — and naturally the church wanted to keep the land in order to retain political power.



Tthe best way to keep the land was to ensure that no rivals could claim it; keeping the clergy celibate and unmarried was the easiest way to accomplish this. Making celibacy a religious obligation was also the best way to ensure that the clergy obeyed.

Answer 10

Both Jesus and St. Paul recommended celibacy for clergy. Some priests swear a vow of celibacy but no one forbids anyone from marrying.



If anything the sexual abuse scandal has proven that Catholic clergy who vow celibacy are not more likely to commit sexual abuse but instead less likely. That really opposes your theory that celibacy has something to do with perverse sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is much more common among Protestant clergy so should we oppose all married clergy. Get the facts before making assumptions based on prejudice. God bless!



In Christ

Fr. Joseph

Answer 11

I doubt that any Catholic that knows the Scriptures would deny that Peter had a wife. However, there are verses that support staying single:



32 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. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is[a] 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. 35 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. -- 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 (NKJV)



11 But He said to them, “All cannot accept this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 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.” Matthew 19:11-12 (NKJV)



and I have to respectfully disagree with your last sentence. There are plenty of married men that are molesters.

Answer 12

Some Catholic priests do marry.



The molesting was a recent phenomena.



Catholic made the mistake of lowering the standards. It was very sad to follow political correctness to such low. If I am not mistaken, most of the molesting was of homosexual nature.

Answer 13

The celibate clergy did not come into full bloom until about 1000 C.E. But there were many married priests, bishops, and popes before this time.



Priests, religious brothers and religious sisters (nuns) as part of their vocation choose not to marry following:

+ The practice recommended in the Bible

+ The example of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist, and the Apostle Paul.



+++ Scripture +++



+ In Matthew 19:12, Jesus says, "Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it."



Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church's practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.



+ In Matthew 19:29, Jesus says, "And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands for the sake of my name will receive a hundred times more, and will inherit eternal life."



Whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.



+ Matthew 22:30 - Jesus explains, "At the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage but are like the angels in heaven."



In heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus' kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.



+ In 1 Corinthians 7:1, Paul writes, "It is a good thing for a man not to touch a woman."



This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.



+ Then in 1 Corinthians 7:7, Paul says, "Indeed, I wish everyone to be as I am."



Paul acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.



+ In 1 Corinthians 7:27, Paul writes, "Are you free of a wife? Then do not look for a wife."



Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full time ministers in the Church.



+ In 1 Corinthians 7:32-33, Paul teaches, "I should like you to be free of anxieties. An unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But a married man is anxious about the things of the world, how he may please his wife." And in verse 38, "So then, the one who marries his virgin does well; the one who does not marry her will do better."



Paul recommends celibacy for full time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”



See also

1 Timothy 5:9-12

2 Timothy 2:3-4

Revevation 14:4

Isaiah 56:3-7

Jeremiah 16:1-4



+++ Scriptural Examples +++



Biblical role models of a celibate clergy came from John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Apostle Paul.



John the Baptist and Jesus are both believed to have been celibate for their entire lives. Some scholars believe that the example of the Essenes influenced either or both Jesus and John the Baptist in their celibacy.



WWJD? What would Jesus do? Jesus did not marry.



The Apostle Paul is explicit about his celibacy (see 1 Cor. 7). There is also evidence in the gospel of Matthew for the practice of celibacy among at least some early Christians, in the famous passage about becoming “eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 19:12).



The concept took many twists and turns over the years and will probably take a few more before Christ returns in glory.



A priest is "married" to the Church. Some people think that a priest who takes his duties seriously cannot take proper care of a wife and family.



With love in Christ.

Answer 14

Because they wanted to differ from the First Church of Christ. Since they disagreed with the Orthodoxy they had make their own rules. Even the Baptism...they poor some drops on the person who is getting baptized...Baptize is a Greek Word that means "to dip or put completely into water or a liquid".

Catholicism is a Heresy



God Bless

Answer 15

The Church of Rome was hijacked by a false gospel and false teachings. It's why they have beliefs that go against scripture and contrary to God and his word. You're correct that Peter had a wife as did many of the apostles.



The Bible shows that all Christians are priests under Christ the High Priest and there is no other middleman between us and God the Father except for Jesus.



The Catholic church was deceived into believing false doctrine and rituals.

Answer 16

The religion of Christianity has been divided into many different sects. It has diviated from the truth in other words. NOw, Catholic priests believe that they need to be purified and in order to be in a state of purity, they must not have sexual intercourse. If they do that, then they get unpurified. Anyways, I'm just here to answer question.

Answer 17

priests still have sexual feelings they just choose not to act upon them so they don't "burn their lust" they just choose not to act upon it. i think the main reason why priests don't marry is because the 12 apostles didn't marry. that and the pope can't be married, who is the head of the church. at least that's what my catholic grandma told me.

Answer 18

I agree. If they married, that would help resolve the sex problems many of them have, but if they are going to molest, perhaps they need a psychiatrist. I always feel that divine deliverance and healing is the best way however.

Answer 19

there is more to understanding marriage then that. Those that are married care for things of the world and not things of God. Priests think this means to be celibate, but in reality God is telling everyone that their marriage is just worldly bull crap that dies when you get to heaven, and we should be searching heaven for another way to desire the body and not with lust, but with the fathers love.



they do not want to partake of the flesh. I admire them for that and I hate the worldly pastors of the Protestants, as they raise there hands and dare to tell me to desire things of heaven and not the world as they put their dying hands around their bride. They look like fools Unlike the Catholics.



BUT on a side note why does God threaten you with hell to marry? Why does no one see God did not give the wisdom we know of with the body and the desire of the body. It is not of heaven and we should be seeking heaven and earth for that answer, and maybe you Protestants and Catholics would be walking like me when I preach and say Do not desire things of this world but things of heaven as I put my holy hands and love around my wife.

Answer 20

1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." (see note 70) Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord," (see note 71) they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. (see note 72)Read More

1580 In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. (see note 73) Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.Read More



1 Corinthians Chapter 7

32: I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33: but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, 34: and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. 35: I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

Answer 21

I doubt it would solve many of the Catholic molesting problems. The Catholics seemed to have created some of their own rules and their own attitude of "I am holier than God himself." This makes it easier for demons and Satan to enter, and once they enter, easier for them to hurt members of their own congregation. Or maybe the people who did that were always like that.

Answer 22

As you stated, they were able to marry at one point.

The biggest problem with married priests would be the inevitable divorces and claims for spousal support and child support, as well as potential claims on Church assets!



In short...surprise..its about the money!

Answer 23

AND OF THE SAME NEW TESTAMENTS IT SAID.

YOU HOLD ONTO YOUR TRADTIONS.AND NULLIFY THE POWER OF GOD (HOLY SPIRIT OF TONGUES, INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES, WISDOM, MIRACLE, HEALING, WORD OF UNKNOWLEDGE OF YOUR PAIN, PAST, ECT...1COR 12. AND 14.



YES, ELIMATING THE ENUCH OR MEN UNMARRIED WOULD SOLVE THE SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS (PERVERSION=DEMONIC PERMISSION)

AS WELL, REVERSE THE GROWING TRENDS OF EMPTY PEWS AS WELL.

1COR 4:20 SAID...THE KINGDOM OF GOD (SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES=WWW.RHEMA.ORG, ORM.CC)

THE KINGDOM OF GOD..IS NOT A PHILOSOPHY (WORDS) BUT POWER.

ACTS 10:1, MARK 9:1, ACTION OF APOSTLES 1:8 ALL GASICALLY SAID THIS.

LUKE 10"17-19..BEHOLD I GIVE YOU POWER/AUTHORITY OVER SNAKE/SCORPIONS=PHYSICAL DANGER..AND POWER/AUTHORUTY OVER ALL OF THE POWER OF THE ENEMIES/SATAN/DEMONS/CANCER/DISEASES/POVERTY/ECT.

Answer 24

The simplified version is that they would need to devote themselves to God and their congregation. Having a family would detract from that, and not be fair to the family.

Answer 25

Why on earth do you think it solves Catholic molesting problems?

Answer 26

This was a policy developed by the medieval church to weaken families. If priests couldn't marry, they would leave all their earthly possessions to the church when they passed.

Answer 27

I don't know who came up with this law - but it needs to change - especially in the light of the recent scandal at the Roman Catholic Church of Ireland - you want Priests to stop molesting young boys????????????

LET THEM MARRY ALREADY

Answer 28

Because like Jesus, priest are already married to the church or to the community they minister.

Answer 29

Because it'd be hard to meditate on god while you got someone nagging all the time.

Answer 30

I heard someone compare an obsession with sex with an obsession with food. People who are obsessed with food are either obese or anorexic. Priests are anorexic when it comes to sex.

Answer 31

Its just not supposed to be I guess.

Answer 32

They have assimilated a lot of pagan doctrines over the years.