I was a history and a religion major, Mrs. Don-o. I’m aware of these other groups and am also aware of word games when I see them.
To the majority of people around the world, when you say Catholic church, they don’t immediately think of the Maronites or the Orthodox or any other group, rather they think of the institution thats doctrines emanate from Rome - which indeed forbids marriage of its priests. For a priest to marry, it is a scandal (because he broke a vow- something else spoken against in Scripture)and he can no longer be a priest. If a married man wants to be a priest, it is not allowed. Married priests are not allowed in the institution most commonly identified with as the Catholic church.
But lets concede your point for the sake of argument. Why the differences between the 1 and the 21 particularly if the 1 is supposedly has had historical primacy over the others? Oh, the Orthodox have allowed marriage but the Romans have not. Why not, if it was the Holy Spirit directing the decision for priests to remain celibate? Did one hear the Holy Spirit wrong or was He just not consulted? Again, sticking with Scripture would solve this issue.
As to Paul’s recommendation - the church was undergoing great persecution at the time. Paul refers to it in I Corinthians 7 as “this present distress” - the same chapter he speaks of remaining single like he was. He knew times would be tough for the young Christian church and did not want the young converts (note - nothing about priests in that chapter) to be overly burdened but that they should be focusing on staying strong in the Lord.
As to what the Albigenses taught, it’s a little hard to say seeing that most that remains of their teachings comes from the accusations of their persecutors. Needless to say, interjecting the Albigenses into the conversation is about as relevant as interjecting what Pentecostals believe in a discussion on what the Catholic church teaches. Not very relevant at all.
"..when you say Catholic church, [people] don’t immediately think of the Maronites or the Orthodox or any other group..."
Two different groups. Maronites ARE Catholic. They recognize the primacy of the Pope. The Orthodox are not Catholic. They are not under the Pope.
".. rather they think of the institution thats doctrines emanate from Rome"
Celibacy is not a doctrine. That was the point of my post. It is a discipline, i.e. a custom, in the West. It is not a theological requirement for priesthood per se.
" - which indeed forbids marriage of its priests."
No, it doesn't. That was the OTHER point of my post. If you mean "it forbids married men to become priests," Obviously it doesn't do that. The whole thread here is about ("more") married men -- ex-Anglican priests --- becoming Catholic priests, right? There are already about a hundred married Catholic priests in the Latin Rite in the U.S. alone. (Not counting Maronites and Ukrainians and all the rest.) They are not forbidden to become priests. What am I missing here?
"For a priest to marry, it is a scandal (because he broke a vow- something else spoken against in Scripture)and he can no longer be a priest. If a married man wants to be a priest, it is not allowed."
But it is! (What are YOU missing here?)
"Oh, the Orthodox have allowed marriage but the Romans have not."
Not relevant to the present discussion. The Orthodox are not Catholics.
" Needless to say, interjecting the Albigenses into the conversation is ...not very relevant at all."
Fair enough. But I just brought them up to illustrate that the Albigensian doctrine forbidding marriage has never been a Catholic doctrine. Catholics consider such a doctrine heretical.
OK, Brother Blogger, as I said I'm tired and maybe a little thud-headed. Please excuse any inapt stuff on my part: I do not mean to offend you in any way. I'm turning in early tonight. Thanks for the discussion and peace to you and yours.