If a celibacy requirement is a "doctrine of demons". (1 Timothy 4:1-3), how can the Roman Catholic doctrine requiring priests to be unmarried be anything but unbiblical and evil?
Personally, I don't care if Catholic priests marry or not. But my question is how the late tradition (A.D. 1200's some say) decided by human authorities can override a clear command of scripture condemning such a rule for believers?
Verified answer
Priestly celibacy is a discipline and not a doctrine. The Church does not forbid anyone to marry and marriage is always encouraged. But, on the other hand, celibacy is not discouraged for clergy because the Bible teaches in the words of St. Paul and Jesus that celibacy is the preferred state of clergy. It is true that in the Latin Rite of the Church in the 12th century that priests were only chosen from among those who had taken a vow of celibacy. The other 22 Rites of the Church do not have this discipline. So, in this case there is no biblical mandate that has been overridden which would only occur if it was forbidden to marry. God bless!
In Christ
Fr. Joseph
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"Forbidding to marry"is condemned in the Bible as a "doctrine of demons"(1T 4:1-3).What of celibacy of priests?
If a celibacy requirement is a "doctrine of demons". (1 Timothy 4:1-3), how can the Roman Catholic doctrine requiring priests to be unmarried be anything but unbiblical and evil?
Personally, I don't care if Catholic priests marry or not. But my question is how the late tradition...
Saint Peter was a married man, and Jesus chose him as the rock on which He built His church. He could have chosen the unmarried Saint Paul, but He didn't. Clearly then, Jesus was not using marital status as a selection criteria for who would lead His church. Saint Paul made the point that it is better to be celibate, but he clearly stated that it is better to be married than to burn in lust. Saint Paul also made the point that unmarried people can dedicate their full attention to the Lord, which is an advantage of celibacy. However, I'm not sure if celibacy helps catholic priests though, because it keeps them from experiencing what many in their flocks will experience, and this surely limits how well they can do their job. So they can put in 100% of their time into it, but they are not as effective as the married.The catholic priest is also at risk of becoming like the pharisees, thinking themselves above the flock because they are in some sort of sexual purity brought on by celibacy.
Excellent question. I must admit that I once, many decades ago, decided I could not accept celibacy, and therefore chose not to become a Priest. I had been an Altar Boy for about 4 or 5 years, but didn't feel I could be celibate for my entire life, so, I chose to not become a Priest. I have regretted that choice of mine for decades as well, but, as someone once told me, that gift was not given to me, so I could not accept it. Maybe, since I was so close to the Priesthood, and almost going in that direction at that time in my life, I feel the pain of not being given that gift. At that time I thought it was a choice that I wasn't strong enough to make. I still wonder, and have that painful regret that I chose not to become a Priest, but, I make my way, remembering how close I once was to the Priesthood. I can see that several, if not quite a few of your answerers can't grasp the idea of the gift of celibacy with respect to the Priesthood vs. being a preacher. It takes a higher faith such as yours and mine to grasp that. God Bless you.
Daniel 7:19-25 ESV "Then I desired to know the truth about the fourth beast, which was different from all the rest, exceedingly terrifying, with its teeth of iron and claws of bronze, and which devoured and broke in pieces and stamped what was left with its feet, (20) and about the ten horns that were on its head, and the other horn that came up and before which three of them fell, the horn that had eyes and a mouth that spoke great things, and that seemed greater than its companions. (21) As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them, (22) until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given for the saints of the Most High, and the time came when the saints possessed the kingdom. (23) "Thus he said: 'As for the fourth beast, there shall be a fourth kingdom on earth, which shall be different from all the kingdoms, and it shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces. (24) As for the ten horns, out of this kingdom ten kings shall arise, and another shall arise after them; he shall be different from the former ones, and shall put down three kings. (25) He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time.
Pay particular attention to v:25 and add to what you question and you get a broader picture of the group you are questioning.
I I timothy 4:1-3 says some will abandon the faith and follow decieving spirits they come from hypicritical liars whose conscience have been seared they forbid to marry and order them to obstain from certian foods which God created to be recieved with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth on the other hand it is ok to dedicate yourself as a marriage unto to the holy God It is a choice they make to be commited to Gods work if one cannot control oneself then marry
as written in another part of the Word
Priests are not forbidden to marry but, rather, voluntarily take a vow of celibacy. I personally have known 2 former Roman Catholic priests that married (within that church). SO even after voluntarily making such a vow, they are *still* not forbidden to marry. They are, however, expected to observe their vow (and other vows) or forego their position as priest.
Jim, http://www.bible-reviews.com/
Matt. 19:11-12 - 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.
Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that 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.
Matt. 22:30 - Jesus explains that 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.
1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.
1 Cor. 7:7 - Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.
1 Cor. 7:27 – 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.
1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 - 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.”
1 Tim. 3:2 - Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church's celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church's Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.
1 Tim. 4:3 - in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church's practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).
1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.
2 Tim. 2:3-4 - Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.
Rev. 14:4 - unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.
Isaiah 56:3-7 - the eunuchs who keep God's covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.
Jer. 16:1-4 - Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.
In the beginning God told man to be fruitful and fill the earth.
So any decree or command to not marry is not from God.
The only thing the priests have to go on is Jesus saying IF you CAN continue being single and dedicating your life to do God's will you are doing good.
Later the scriptures say if they become consumed with passion, let them marry.
God would never demand men stay single and celibate if it would work a hardship on them emotionally.
Celibacy. The apostle Paul warns that one of the identifying features of the apostasy that was to come would be enforced celibacy, “forbidding to marry.” (1Ti 4:1, 3) Some of the apostles were married. (1Co 9:5; Lu 4:38) Paul, in setting forth the qualifications for overseers and ministerial servants in the Christian congregation, says that these men (if married) should have only one wife.—1Ti 3:1, 2, 12; Tit 1:5, 6.
Jesus Christ spoke of three classes of eunuchs at Matthew 19:12, saying: “For there are eunuchs that were born such from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs that were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs that have made themselves eunuchs on account of the kingdom of the heavens. Let him that can make room for it make room for it.” Those who are said to have “made themselves eunuchs” because of the kingdom are those who exercise self-control so as to apply themselves to the service of God. The apostle Paul recommends this as the “better” course for Christians who do not become “inflamed with passion.” These, he said, could serve the Lord more constantly “without distraction.” (1Co 7:9, 29-38) Such “eunuchs” are not persons who have physically castrated themselves or have been emasculated; instead, these persons voluntarily remain in a state of singleness. No vow of celibacy is recommended by the Bible, and “forbidding to marry” is condemned as one of the marks of the apostasy. In fact, some of the apostles were married men.—1Ti 4:1-3; 1Co 9:5; Mt 8:14; Mr 1:30; Lu 4:38
Jesus talked about men who were eunuchs for the sake of the Gospel. Why do people go on and on about this---the men who were responsible for the molestations were not interested in woman and besides the men voluntarily go for this life--no one holds a gun to their head. Now having said that---what about the Protestant pastors who are married that offend and what about the 1,000's of Buddhist Monks--are they child molesters too?