Perhaps in the East but not in the West. The idea that the celibate priesthood was an invention of the Middle Ages is a myth. As a discipline of the Church in the West it goes back to the earliest times.
According to English historians, English priests continued to have wives and even concubines in the 900’s and 1000’s.
“As a discipline of the Church in the West it goes back to the earliest times.”
Apparently not too early as “your first pope” didn’t get the memo because he was married.
Actually it didn’t become official until a thousand years after the claimed fact, so kos you are correct in your post.
So the almighty first pope was wrong and the modern rcc is right, sure it is. It’s a matter of a believers own heart and ONLY that person can make that determination as Paul said 2k years ago.
Matthew 8:14-15 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
14 And when Jesus was come into Peter’s house, he saw his wife’s mother lying, and sick of a fever:
15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she arose and ministered to them.
Mark 1:29-31 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
29 And immediately going out of the synagogue they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 And Simon’s wife’s mother lay in a fit of a fever: and forthwith they tell him of her.
31 And coming to her, he lifted her up, taking her by the hand; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.
Luke 4:38 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
38 And Jesus rising up out of the synagogue, went into Simon’s house. And Simon’s wife’s mother was taken with a great fever, and they besought him for her.
1 Corinthians 7:8-9 Douay-Rheims 1899 American Edition (DRA)
8 But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.
9 But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.