Should Priests Get Married?

[epostle1]

Where in scripture does it say that everything must be explicitly found in scripture to be valid? (practices, devotions, doctrines)
NOWHERE! It's a false man made tradition!

 

[GodsGrace]

What has been posted from scripture is biased and inaccurate. Celibacy is only a requirement for the Latin (Roman) rite. If a seminarian wants to marry, he can join a rite that permits it, or become Protestant.

Celibacy is Church Practice, Not Dogma
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.(forbidding to marry is a claim made by ignorant Bible hate cults)

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.

Graduate-level seminarians
8,325
6,602
5,279
4,197
4,063
3,658
3,172
3,474
3,308
3,483
3,405

FAQ

God'sGrace, maybe you have 6 seminarians down the street, but it's not an honest statistic.

Gosh, I hate being called dishonest.
I live in Italy. I'm not giving world-wide statistics.
I can't get statistics on this tablet, but if you'd care to it would be nice.
The trend I posted is true for all of Italy.
This site shows new seminarians for all of italy by region.

Seminarians in Italy by region 2016 | Statistic

 

[Nomad]

The bottom line here folks is simple. While unmarried and celibate is better for ministry, it's not a requirement. And it only applies to those who "are able to receive it" (Matt. 19:12) and those who have been given this "gift" (1 Cor. 7:7). Rome goes off the rails by making it a requirement.

 

[GodsGrace]

Where in scripture does it say that everything must be explicitly found in scripture to be valid? (practices, devotions, doctrines)
NOWHERE! It's a false man made tradition!

It has to, at least, be biblically based, otherwise everyone would just do and believe whatever they want to.
Like I hear on these threads that all one needs to be called a Christian is to follow Jesus!
This is not true, as it's not true that we could invent whatever practice we like.

 

[Nomad]

Where in scripture does it say that everything must be explicitly found in scripture to be valid? (practices, devotions, doctrines)
NOWHERE! It's a false man made tradition!

Wrong question. Does your "practices, devotions, doctrines" contradict the clear teaching of Scripture? If the answer is yes, then they are to be rejected. Plain and simple.

 

[Marymog]

With attendance at seminaries dwindling, I wonder if it would help if priests were allowed to get married.

Is celibacy a biblical principle? Is it to any advantage? Disadvantage?

Hi GG,

Maybe attendance in Italy and elsewhere it’s dwindling but here in America priestly ordinations are UP for the last 17 years and graduate level seminarians has stayed consistent WORLD WIDE over the same period. Can you please reference your data?
FAQ

1 Corinthians 7:1-7 answers all three of your questions.

Mary

 

[Marymog]

I don't believe that it should be a requirement, there were some that were able to bare this form Of worship. to devote their all to God and Christ.
Paul speak's about this, and concludes that if you can bare this consuming desire of the flesh, Good, But it is better to marry than to burn!! I believe that If Priest's were to Marry, we might have less Child Abuse, IMO!

Hi,

Everyone has an opinion and opinions don’t change facts so how about if we stick with facts? What about all the MARRIED Protestant pastors that abuse? How do you explain away their actions and the fact that abuse by married Protestant church leaders is just as high or higher than Catholic priests?

Protestant Churches Grapple With Growing Sexual Abuse Crisis

Protestants can no longer dismiss abuse as a ‘Catholic problem’ | Symon Hill

Keeping it real....Mary

 

[BreadOfLife]

That's not true.
Some Protestant churches even accept practicing homosexuals and divorce.
And since the CC is a big denomination some journalists do pick on it.

Like I said - it is held to a higher standard by Catholics.
Nobody else who rejects the Church has a right to demand anything of it.

As for some Protestant sects who allow divorce and practicing homosexuals - they STILL believe that they have moral integrity because they don't see these things as sinful.

 

[GodsGrace]

Hi GG,

Maybe attendance in Italy and elsewhere it’s dwindling but here in America priestly ordinations are UP for the last 17 years and graduate level seminarians has stayed consistent WORLD WIDE over the same period. Can you please reference your data?
FAQ

1 Corinthians 7:1-7 answers all three of your questions.

Mary

See post no. 62.
Those numbers are for all of italy.
I'm not sure which data you mean. If you mean for the seminary I mentioned, it's closing down because it was built for 300 and only 6 seminarians are there right now. Next year it'll be 5 because one is becoming a Deacon in two weeks so he'll be a priest next year.

It's a shame too,. It's a beautiful bldg in a beautiful spot.
Try .seminary Lucca Italy.

 

[BreadOfLife]

We're not talking pastors, we're talking priests.
They are not one and the same.

That's a pretty idiotic assertion - even for YOU.

My pastor is a priest. The pastor of the Catholic Church on the other side of town is ALSO a priest.
As a matter of fact - EVERY Catholic church has a pastor who is a priest.

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

That's a pretty idiotic assertion - even for YOU.

My pastor is a priest. The pastor of the Catholic Church on the other side of town is ALSO a priest.
As a matter of fact - EVERY Catholic church has a pastor who is a priest.

Not the ones I went to
They usually had a monsenior who ran the show
never called a pastor
that's something new the romanist stole from the protestants

 

[GodsGrace]

Not the ones I went to
They usually had a monsenior who ran the show
never called a pastorthat's something new the romanist stole from the protestants

I have to agree. I always heard them called priests. I do know a priest that's a good pastor, but most aren't,,, this is my experience.

 

[Helen]

Nice Avatar!

I was trying to get a truer hair colour...I am dark grey...my husband is white..I wish mine was...mine is an ugly "Battleship grey" in real life.

 

[Truth]

Hi,

Everyone has an opinion and opinions don’t change facts so how about if we stick with facts? What about all the MARRIED Protestant pastors that abuse? How do you explain away their actions and the fact that abuse by married Protestant church leaders is just as high or higher than Catholic priests?

Protestant Churches Grapple With Growing Sexual Abuse Crisis

Protestants can no longer dismiss abuse as a ‘Catholic problem’ | Symon Hill

Keeping it real....Mary

There is more than one denomination that refers to their leaders as Priest's! gee-wiz Mary don't get a rash. I do Agree!!

 

[epostle1]

Wrong question. Does your "practices, devotions, doctrines" contradict the clear teaching of Scripture? If the answer is yes, then they are to be rejected. Plain and simple.

But your premise rests on contradictions, I am not talking about contradictions. Attempting to turn the table over my statement is an evasion. There is not a single Catholic practice, devotion or doctrine that contradicts scripture. Not one. Only private interpretations.

 

[BreadOfLife]

Not the ones I went to
They usually had a monsenior who ran the show
never called a pastor
that's something new the romanist stole from the protestants

Either you're extremely dense - or you're just a bad joker because this is about THE most idiotic thing you've ever said on this forum - and that is saying a LOT.
Catholic pastors were around for some 1500 years before there was ever such a thing as a Protestant.

 

[epostle1]

The bottom line here folks is simple. While unmarried and celibate is better for ministry, it's not a requirement. And it only applies to those who "are able to receive it" (Matt. 19:12) and those who have been given this "gift" (1 Cor. 7:7). Rome goes off the rails by making it a requirement.

Wrong. It is a choice seminarians freely make. No one forces seminarians to complete their formation. They can join a rite that permits married seminarians and still be Catholic. Furthermore, converted ministers who want to become priests in the Latin (Roman) rite can do so.

Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine.

 

[Frank Lee]

The principle of priests not being allowed to marry is a religious one, not a God wrought one. Jesus has ordained me to be a priest, not some denomination. The Scriptures are in place.

1 Timothy 4:1-3 KJVS
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
[2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
[3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

Every man or woman has his proper gift;

1 Corinthians 7:7-8 KJVS
For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that.
[8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.

It is religion and witchcraft to control the actions of men with religious edicts and laws. God must rule in our hearts, not religion. God has a perfect plan for each person if they will seek Him for it.

Religion cuts off God's perfect will in the life of a person and they do not even seek His face. To find true peace, joy and happiness in this life we must find God's perfect will for our life.

Jeremiah 29:12-13 KJVS
Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.?
[13] And ye shall seek me, and find me , when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Psychology is a form of witchcraft and I hate it! Witchcraft is the attempt to get others to do what you want done. I once worked for a company and the owner's wife had a degree in psychology (witchcraft!) she'd come by and place her hand on my shoulder and say "Frank you're doing such a wonderful job for us, etc etc" !

I hated it! It was sheer Witchcraft. It was insincere and a two year old could have seen through it.

Religion, psychology and witchcraft are synonomous, controlling others or trying to, getting them to do what you want done or what the denominational doctrine says.

Until a man or woman is set free to seek the perfect will of God for their own life there will be no peace and joy. When a person gets tired enough of dead religion they will cry out to God for Him to guide them, deliver them. He will show you what He has put in your heart if you are sincere and repentant.


2 Corinthians 3:17 NASB
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

The spirit of God is rejected and stifled by religious doctrines and denominations that presume to deny the things in scripture the He has plainly eternal for us.

Now if God has placed celibacy into a person's heart and they truly want to serve God in this way then fine. But religion has no right to do this. It is a great evil of religion to demand certain actions of men saying that God has commanded it when He has not.

Some things God does command us enmasse, to wit, the ten commandments. Specific guidance on life matters for an individual is none of religion's business.

Denominational religion is that evil witchcraft that tells men not to seek God for His spiritual gifts, to reject the very words of God and hold to the religious doctrines that men, not God, have written.

Religion cuts God off and attempts to wrestle, no does wrestle His authority from Him. Men that take the words of their religion over the words of God are just plain stupid. It's easier to follow a set of rules than to seek God for yourself. Do not be lazy but seek Him.

Seek God for His perfect will for your life and reject all the thou shall and thou shall nots of dead religion, dead denominations .

 

[Frank Lee]

The everlasting word of God, perverted by denominations, sects, groups, is the true foundation, not the traditions, doctrinal statements, edicts from self appointed men more faithful to their religion than to God. When doctrines of men supplant the words of God everything is in error.

Defending any denomination rather than adhering to and defending the true gospel of Jesus Christ is an action against God.

I don't care if you are so called catholic or so called protestant, a person is in error when the defense of unscriptural, ungodly doctrines is more important to them than cleaving to God and His unchangeable word.

Who and what are we defending? Our sect, our religion, our denomination or Him that called us to come out and be separate?

Who and what are we defending and why? If it is other than Jesus, His gospel and the word of God then we must repent. The word of God is sharper than any sword and if we are honest then that sword will separate between what is man's religion - the denominations and their traditions and what is God's word.

 

[GodsGrace]

I was trying to get a truer hair colour...I am dark grey...my husband is white..I wish mine was...mine is an ugly "Battleship grey" in real life.
View attachment 2042

LOL
Try Loreal no. 5A
I used that till I became a "blonde".
(highlights) I needed a change.