Posted on 12/14/2009 2:13:45 PM PST by marshmallow
1. Celibacy reaffirms marriage.
In a society that is completely saturated with sex, celibate priests are living proof that sexual urges can be controlled and channeled in a positive way. Far from denigrating the sexual act, celibacy acknowledges the goodness of sex within marriage by offering it up as a sacrifice to God. The sanctity of marriage is dishonored if it is treated merely as an outlet for sexual impulses. Rather, we as Christians are called to understand marriage as the inviolable commitment of a husband and wife to love and honor one another. A priest offers up a similar commitment of love to the Church, a bond that cannot be broken and that is treated with the same gravity and respect as in marriage.
2. Celibacy is scriptural.
Challenge young men to a religious life that is demanding, countercultural, sacrificial, and loyal to the Holy Father and Catholic teaching. This is the surest way to guarantee a greater number of vocations. Fundamentalists will tell you that celibacy has no basis in the Bible whatsoever, saying that Christians are called to "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28). This mandate speaks to humanity in general, however, and overlooks numerous passages in the Bible that support the celibate life. In 1 Corinthians, for example, Paul actually seems to prefer the celibate life: "Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. . . . Those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. . . . The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided" (7:27-34). This is not to say that all men should be celibate, however; Paul explains that celibacy is a calling for some and not for others by saying, "Each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another" (7:7).
Jesus Himself speaks of celibacy in Matthew 19:11-12: "Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted. 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 God. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." Again, the emphasis is on the special nature of celibacy, one for which not all men are suited, but one that nevertheless gives glory to "the kingdom of God."
Perhaps the best evidence for the scriptural support of celibacy is that Jesus Himself practiced it!
3. Celibacy is historical.
Most people assume that the celibate priesthood is a convention introduced by the Church fairly late in history. On the contrary, there is evidence that even the earliest Church fathers, such as St. Augustine, St. Cyril, and St. Jerome, fully supported the celibate priesthood. The Spanish Council of Elvira (between 295 and 302) and the First Council of Aries (314), a kind of general council of the West, both enacted legislation forbidding all bishops, priests, and deacons to have conjugal relations with their wives on penalty of exclusion from the clergy. Even the wording of these documents suggests that the councils were not introducing a new rule but rather maintaining a previously established tradition. In 385, Pope Siricius issued the first papal decree on the subject, saying that "clerical continence" was a tradition reaching as far back as apostolic times. While later councils and popes would pass similar edicts, the definitive promulgation of the celibate, unmarried priesthood came at the Second Lateran Council in 1139 under Pope Gregory VII. Far from being a law forced upon the medieval priesthood, it was the acceptance of celibacy by priests centuries earlier that eventually led to its universal promulgation in the twelfth century.
4. Celibacy emphasizes the unique role of the priest.
The priest is a representative of Christ, an alter Christus. In this respect, the priest understands his identity by following the example of Jesus, a man who lived His life in perfect chastity and dedication to God. As Archbishop Crescenzio Sepe of Grado explains, "[A priest's] being and his acting must be like Christ's: undivided" (The Relevance of Priestly Celibacy Today, 1993). As such, the sacramental priesthood is holy, something set apart from the rest of the world. Just as Christ sacrificed His life for His bride, the Church, so too must a priest offer up his life for the good of Christ's people.
5. Celibacy allows the priest's first priority to be the Church.
The image used to describe the role of the priest is one of marriage to the Church. Just as marriage is the total gift of self to another, the priesthood requires the total gift of self to the Church. A priest's first duty is to his flock, while a husband's first duty is to his wife. Obviously, these two roles will often conflict, as St. Paul noted and as many married priests will tell you. A celibate priest is able to give his undivided attention to his parishioners without the added responsibility of caring for his own family. They are able to pick up and go whenever necessary, whether this involves moving to a new parish or responding to a late-night crisis. Celibate priests are better able to respond to these frequent changes and demands on their time and attention.
Thank you marshmallow. I enjoyed that post very much.
I would add that the Apostles were married because they were Jews....not Catholics (the church didn’t start until Jesus’s death). It’s akin to the Eastern Church accepting married priests....no problem!
However, I especially appreciate the observation that Jesus himself was celibate and that is the best reason for celibacy at all—our priests should strive to be as Christ-like as possible, which is also the reason for the all-male priesthood, correct?
And as a Roman Catholic I appreciate my priest being available to his flock at any minute, not just when it’s convenient to his wife and children. Last rites come to mind, especially.
This is the Year of the Priest, so pray for priests and vocations, that we will have many holy men hear God’s call.
Priestly Celibacy (or almost anything else that the Catholics push)? Follow the money.
With concerns for protecting Church property from inheritance, Pope Pelagius I (sixth century) made new priests agree offspring could not inherit Church property.
In 1022 Pope Benedict VIII banned marriages and mistresses for priests.
Pope Urban II, in 1095, decided to order that the wives of priests be rounded up and sold into slavery, the money used to boost the Papal finances. Didn’t get away with it, but his heart was in the usual place...
The best source of endorsement comes from the man who would be canonized..and in whom we placed all our trust for wisdom and divine guidance..
"Pope John Paul II told the New York Times in July, 1993 that “Celibacy is not essential to the priesthood.”
And it isn't.
sw
This is the one that stands out to me as a good reason. In marriage your first priority is supposed to be your wife, not your job. A priest's calling (and job) is to God and the church.
Of course this opinion is coming from a southern Baptist, so I may have something backwards here.
You have the reasoning. Family does become a big issue for priests regardless of whether or not they are married. I know a number who, for whatever reason, are only children and care for their parents does fall to them. And the US has one bishop who's only sibling was murdered by her husband leaving two sons with only this uncle as a family adult.
So, there's more to it than simply celibacy.
charming model of correction - thats unbiblical as well
Matthew 11 Jesus replied, "Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given. 12 For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."
If their sense of commitment is so shallow as to leave the priesthood to marry, what makes them good marriage material? I have a friend from grade school who's father left the priesthood to marry his mother, and then left his mother after 18 years. Both commitments are meant to be life long. And frankly, a lot of the men I know who left the seminary aren't really priest material and are massive libs and really would have made lousy priests. Some aren't, but that was figured out in the first two years - as it should be the way the system is set up.
Try to find anything mis-stated in my post and then respond to it. I dare you.
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