Ask a catholic

newmoon · Mar 7, 2008

Why do Catholic Priests have to remain celibrate?
Shouldn't we admire Roman Catholic clergy for being celibate? When they receive a call to become priests for Christ (or monks or nuns) it means they will never have a wife or husband or kids. To me, this is a major undertaking that we should give them credit for.By contrast, Protestant clergy have their cake and eat it too. That is, they are called to be pastors, yet they get to have a wife, and often it seems to me, many children!Against this, you have to ask yourself, what is the bigger sacrifice? i.e - Catholic priest/nun: be celibate: never have a wife/husband/children - Protestant minister: don't be celibate: have a wife/husband/children - and all that these entail.For me, I admire Catholic clergy more - if just for their celibacy.

Christina · Mar 7, 2008

Well I suppose that would be the view of some I frankly see little purpose in it todayIts not said its nessary in scripture only advised it simply means that in those days the disciples would have to be gone for long periods of time to preach the word there was no public transportation, no welfare system Women seldom had an education or could work to make ends meet so it was advised because of the hardships it caused the familyAs for myself I dont think someone who has never experienced marriage or family is the best person to be giving advise on these things to their paritioners. Secondly it is so unnatrual it never really worked any way all it did was push the sins that take place within the clergy under the table. Sometimes causing good men to sin I see no point in it I think it does a dissrevice to the church and to the indivitual Priestsas well as those that go to them for guidance. Celebacy should be a personal choice not a doctrinal one

DrBubbaLove · Mar 7, 2008

(slipstream;39722)
Two questions for you please.1/ Why do Catholic Priests have to remain celibrate.2/ in the praying the rosary and you get to the 4 sets of Mysteries, do you have to recite them, if you do how do you remember them. I have been looking them up on the INTERNET but there seems a lot to remember.Thanks.Roger
1. Because that is the custom of the Church.2. No, you are picking a mystery to meditate on for each decade. Meditation in this case is thinking about, not having more to recite. After a while one remembers these things very well. Here is a site describing the Rosary.http://www.worland.com/magdalen/rosary.htm

slipstream · Mar 8, 2008

I have always thought it was a great sacrifice, especially in the monks and the nuns, and I admire them greatly.But What is the church's reasons to have Parish priests to remain unmarried and celibate.Thanks for your answers.Roger

DrBubbaLove · Mar 8, 2008

(slipstream;39769)
I have always thought it was a great sacrifice, especially in the monks and the nuns, and I admire them greatly.But What is the church's reasons to have Parish priests to remain unmarried and celibate.Thanks for your answers.Roger
It is the current Church custom for it to be so. For us that it is enough. It was not always so, though at most times in history there were always groups of men that took such vows even when many religous did not. BTW it is not only Parish Priests, many religous both men and women take such vows. And even in the Eastern Church where some Priests are married BEFORE ordination, they only pick Bishops among those who have taken such vows and never married.

Letsgofishing · Mar 10, 2008

(slipstream;39722)
Two questions for you please.1/ Why do Catholic Priests have to remain celibrate.2/ in the praying the rosary and you get to the 4 sets of Mysteries, do you have to recite them, if you do how do you remember them. I have been looking them up on the INTERNET but there seems a lot to remember.Thanks.Roger
In thinkl Paul tells us the reason for celibacy best32But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. 34There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. 36But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37Nevertheless he that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well. 38So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better. ( 1 cor 7:32-28)

marksman · Mar 11, 2008

Do you want the fairy story or the truth? The only reason that catholic priests are required to be celibate has nothing to do with morals or spirituality. It was purely a pragmatic decision by Pope Gregory who issued an edict that priests could not marry to prevent their wives from inheriting catholic property if their husband died before them.Prior to Gregory, priests married.

DrBubbaLove · Mar 11, 2008

Marksman,Am not sure which fairies you hang around or might be listening to, but someone forgot to tell them about St Paul writings in the Bible or St. Epiphanius (4th century –note to your fairy; this is almost 700 years before Pope Gregory);"Holy Church", he says, "respects the dignity of the priesthood to such a point that she does not admit to the diaconate, the priesthood, or the episcopate, no nor even to the subdiaconate, anyone still living in marriage and begetting children. She accepts only him who if married gives up his wife or has lost her by death, especially in those places where the ecclesiastical cannons are strictly attended to"The history of celibacy of Priests is just not that simple. In the West it was pretty much settled in the 4th and 5th centuries. In general prior to that and for some time after, men who were already married could become ordained, but the general emphasis was always on celibacy and ordaining unmarried men. Even talk of not allowing married one to sleep with their wives, having clergy sleep in the bedroom of married Bishops to avoid the appearance of scandal...etc. One cannot say in light of those edicts and prior decisions/discussion that celibacy suddenly only becomes an issue 700 years later.But even before this time, once ordained a Priest could not subsequently remarry. At the same time in the East they allowed many more men to be ordained but held celibacy (as St Paul did) in high regard, reserving higher office for men who had never married. The issue of deacons, clerics and other religious continued to be debated off and on for a longer period after it had been established for Priest. The dark ages and wars in Europe toward the close of the first millennium saw the introduction of many corruptions within the clergy, primarily the higher offices, the Bishops of the Church. At that time many of those appointments to the office of Bishop came from the local ruling monarchs and went to loyal friends, even soldiers. With all the corruption we see many things, married Bishops and attempts to pass the office (and property) to sons being just one issue. However one should not confuse the Church’s eventual reaction to all this corruption with the idea that this was the beginning of the emphasis on Priestly celibacy.

marksman · Mar 12, 2008

Am not sure which fairies you hang around or might be listening to, but someone forgot to tell them about St Paul writings in the Bible
Roman Catholic priests didn't exist in the New Testament so what writings are you talking about?

n2thelight · Mar 12, 2008

I think I have yet to ask a question,so here's goesDo Catholics Worship the Mother Mary?Was Peter the first Pope or even a Pope at all?Do Catholics believe in the visions of Mary,crying statues and all?What are Catechism,and do you all hold to all of them?And I will leave you with this."Hail, O Daughter of God the Father,Hail, O Mother of the Son of God, Hail, O Bride of the Holy Spirit, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity.Amen."- Pope John Paul II; Address at Blessing of Marian Shrine

oland, Monday, 7 June 1999There is a problem here, the Pope just gave the wrong Trinity. The Holy Trinity of the Bible is:The Father The Son The Holy Spirit But the trinity the Pope just gave is:The Daughter (of the Father) The Mother (of the Son) The Bride (of the Holy Spirit) There is also a problem with the Pope's Bridegroom and Bride. In the Bible we learn that Jesus Christ is the bridegroom, and the true body of believers (in Jesus) are the Bride. Naturally, the wedding is purely symbolic:Mark 2:1919 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. (KJV)Rev 21:99 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (KJV)But the Pope says that Mary is the Bride and the Holy Spirit is the bridegroom! Now the knee-jerk reaction would be to dismiss 'his holiness' the Pope with a chiding to better read his Bible, but something far more sinister is afoot - the Pope is no dummy, he has spent his entire long life indoctrinated in, raised up, and groomed in the Roman Catholic Institution and he knows exactly what he is doing and saying, and just exactly what it represents.

Letsgofishing · Mar 12, 2008

(n2thelight;40239)
I think I have yet to ask a question,so here's goesDo Catholics Worship the Mother Mary?Was Peter the first Pope or even a Pope at all?Do Catholics believe in the visions of Mary,crying statues and all?What are Catechism,and do you all hold to all of them?And I will leave you with this."Hail, O Daughter of God the Father,Hail, O Mother of the Son of God, Hail, O Bride of the Holy Spirit, Temple of the Most Holy Trinity.Amen."- Pope John Paul II; Address at Blessing of Marian Shrine

oland, Monday, 7 June 1999There is a problem here, the Pope just gave the wrong Trinity. The Holy Trinity of the Bible is:The Father The Son The Holy Spirit But the trinity the Pope just gave is:The Daughter (of the Father) The Mother (of the Son) The Bride (of the Holy Spirit) There is also a problem with the Pope's Bridegroom and Bride. In the Bible we learn that Jesus Christ is the bridegroom, and the true body of believers (in Jesus) are the Bride. Naturally, the wedding is purely symbolic:Mark 2:1919 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. (KJV)Rev 21:99 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. (KJV)But the Pope says that Mary is the Bride and the Holy Spirit is the bridegroom! Now the knee-jerk reaction would be to dismiss 'his holiness' the Pope with a chiding to better read his Bible, but something far more sinister is afoot - the Pope is no dummy, he has spent his entire long life indoctrinated in, raised up, and groomed in the Roman Catholic Institution and he knows exactly what he is doing and saying, and just exactly what it represents.
The catholic church does not worship mary. We ask her to pray for us.What the pope said, while appearng to be worship, actually was exactly what the angel said to Mary.Let me paraphrase itBlessed is the women who is the daughter of God (Just like we are sons and daughters of God)blessed are you Mary the women who gave birth to Jesus ( Don't even try to deny this, just turn to the opening of Luke)blessed are you Mary the women who held the Holy Spirit ( and seeing as God was in her womb and God is three in one)all completley biblical as for the bride reference I just looked it up, It was Pope John Pauls the seconds way of showing how filled Mary was with the Holy spirit. Maximillion Kolbe ( A man who gave his life up in the holocaust defending a Jew) says it a tad better.As a husband and wife become "one flesh" in marriage (Genesis 2:24) yet remain distinct persons, so Mary and the Spirit are two distinct persons who share a deep spiritual union. Now personally I don't like the title even if equaling Mary with God is not its attention, it does suggest just that. I can assure that it is not widley, if ever, used since Pope John Paul the 2nd spoke it on that day.we believe Peter was the first leader of the church which is why Jesus calls him " his Rock". I think Weve had this discussion before. If we haven't I'll go more in detail.Most of us Do, Which is sad. I believe the apparitions of Mary are not Mary at all. Heres a couple of her actual quotes" There are Grave times in the future, Where many will be decieved, If the church trusts in me I will deliver." God is the one who delvers his church not Mary. Why would Mary say this???" My son is coming soon, and I will not permit the people of this earth to harm him"Yeah Mary protecting God....Thats funny. and completley false. Wake up catholics!!! We are being decieved!!!The catechism is what the church believes, and therefore yes the majority of catholics hold to the believes. It is not another bible, the catechism is changed frequently, while the bible is never changed. We read out of the sacred scripture during Mass, we never read out of the catechism. The bible is much more sacredyour brother in christRyan Fitz

DrBubbaLove · Mar 12, 2008

(marksman;40238)
Roman Catholic priests didn't exist in the New Testament so what writings are you talking about?
Please clarify. Are you unfamiliar with Paul's writings or is it your position that his admonitions to celibate as he is celibate to leaders in his day would not apply later to Priests?

marksman · Mar 12, 2008

Please clarify. Are you unfamiliar with Paul's writings or is it your position that his admonitions to celibate as he is celibate to leaders in his day would not apply later to Priests?
Having done a 12 month study of Paul's words, I am very familiar with what he says.:study:Fist in the passage about celibacy in 1 Cornthians 7 he is not talking to church leaders, he is talking to the church. Note that the letter is to the Corinthian church, not to the leaders in the Corinthian church. Second he says that it is good for EVERY man to have his own wife to avoid fornication (verse 2). You forgot to mention that. Third he says that he speaks this as permission, not as a commandment (verse 6). Therefore it is not binding.He wished that all men were as he were (single) but admitted that not all men were gifted this way (verse 7). In other words, I don't expect you to be single just because I am.Notwhithstanding, he said it was good for those who were not gifted with marriage to remain single (verse 8). He didn't say that everyone should be single.It is better however, to marry than burn if they cannot contain themselves (sexually) (verse 9). Doesn't sound like he wants everyone to be celibate.Paul's words here have no relevance to Catholic priests as Paul did not teach the appointment of or recognise paid ministers. In the New Testament the only teaching about ministry is the priesthood of all believers. Priests were not invented until Constantine legalised christianity in 312AD and that is when the divide between cleric and laity began and that is when the clerics began to receive pay for doing their job. It is disingenious to take only the part of scripture that supports your theory, rather than to see the whole picture in context. Unfortunately you are not the only one who does it. The church in general has made an art form out of it to support their unbiblical practices, especially the Roman Catholic Church. One classic example is asking the saints and Mary to pray for you. You will not find one verse in scripture that tells you to do that. :naughty:

DrBubbaLove · Mar 12, 2008

So your conclusion is that even though Paul said it is good for him to remain celibate and that it would be good for ANYONE THAT COULD do so, to remain celibate, that somehow this CANNOT apply to Priests. Is that your position? BTW not EVERYONE is CALLED TO be a Priest.

Catholic Crusader · Mar 13, 2008

(n2thelight;40239)
Do Catholics Worship the Mother Mary?
No(n2thelight;40239)
Was Peter the first Pope or even a Pope at all?
Yes(n2thelight;40239)
Do Catholics believe in the visions of Mary,crying statues and all?
Not required by the Church(n2thelight;40239)
What are Catechism,and do you all hold to all of them?
"Catechism" simply means "teaching". A Catechumen is one who is being "taught". Basically, this is the Church doing whart Jesus commanded. Jesus did not say "Go forth into the world and write epistles". He said to TEACH and BAPTISE. That is what the Catechism is, the TEACHING which brings CLARITY to God's Word.

Alanforchrist · Mar 13, 2008

(Letsgofishing;35523)
Ive discovered that no matter how many times I explain the catholic religon the majority never listen and go on with thier innacurate beliefs about this church.Maybe if you were interested.So here we go!!! ask any question about the catholic faith you want to ask. . I want to keep debating down to a mininum, you can have follow up questions but don't don't let it get to a point where it takes up the whole forum. If it becomes a debate I'll just stop anwering.so fire awayyour brother in christRyan Fitz
I think catholics believe that the pope comes from the line of Peter, If this is true can you show me where it is in the Bible.

Catholic Crusader · Mar 13, 2008

Much has been said about the Pope. We all know the scripture by heart by now: "...Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven." May I suggest in discussing this that it be made clear WHAT the Pope is first. Many people have mistaken ideas about what the Pope actually is, which is why they don't see the office in scripture.Simply, it is the fulfillment of the office of Prime Minister that existed in the Kindoms of David and his successors (as many things in the NT are fulfillments of their OT "types".)"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will call My servant Eliakim the son of Helcias, and I will clothe him with thy Robe, and I will strengthen him with thy Sash, and will give thy Power (authority) into his hand; and he shall be as a FATHER (the word 'Pope' means 'Father') to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to the house of Judah. And I will lay the Key of the House of David (the symbol of primacy) upon his shoulder; and he shall open and none shall shut; and he shall shut and none shall open. And I will fasten him as a peg in a Sure Place(the Papal Office), and he shall be for a Throne of glory to the house of his Father. And they shall hang upon him all the glory of his Fathers house, diverse kinds of vessels, every little vessel, from the vessels of cups even to every instrument of music." (Isaiah 22:20-24)In the Davidic Kingdoms, there was the office of Prime Minister (who actually wore a key on his robe as a symbol of office). This position is what is referred to in the abouve text and in other historical documents.So now, JESUS is the King, the "son of David", in the line of David. These Jewish men, steeped in there Jewish culture, knew EXACTLY what it meant when Jesus gave Peter the keys. Peter was to be the Prime Minister of Christs Kingdom, the "Keeper of the Keys".So this is what the Pope is. Also, the Pope has a pastoral role, which is established in John 21: 15-17, when Christ told Peter: "feed my lambs.. ..feed my sheep.. ..tend my sheep."This is the Pope: Prime Minister of Christs Kingdom, and Pastor of the flock. With that in mind, the Papacy is ALL THROUGH the scriptures. Now, throw into THAT mix the fact there is ample evidence in the New Testament that Peter was first in authority among the apostles. Whenever they were named, Peter headed the list (Matt. 10:1-4, Mark 3:16-19, Luke 6:14-16, Acts 1:13); sometimes the apostles were referred to as "Peter and those who were with him" (Luke 9:32). Peter was the one who generally spoke for the apostles (Matt. 18:21, Mark 8:29, Luke 12:41, John 6:68-69), and he figured in many of the most dramatic scenes (Matt. 14:28-32, Matt. 17:24-27, Mark 10:23-28). On Pentecost it was Peter who first preached to the crowds (Acts 2:14-40), and he worked the first healing in the Church age (Acts 3:6-7). It is Peter’s faith that will strengthen his brethren (Luke 22:32) and, as I said, Peter is given Christ’s flock to shepherd (John 21:17). An angel was sent to announce the resurrection to Peter (Mark 16:7), and the risen Christ first appeared to Peter (Luke 24:34). He headed the meeting that elected Matthias to replace Judas (Acts 1:13-26), and he received the first converts (Acts 2:41). He inflicted the first punishment (Acts 5:1-11), and excommunicated the first heretic (Acts 8:18-23). He led the first council in Jerusalem (Acts 15), and announced the first dogmatic decision (Acts 15:7-11). It was to Peter that the revelation came that Gentiles were to be baptized and accepted as Christians (Acts 10:46-48). So, as Cyprian of Carthage said in 251 A.D. (almost a hundred years before Constatine):"The Lord says to Peter: ‘I say to you,’ he says, ‘that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of hell will not overcome it. And to you I will give the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever things you bind on earth shall be bound also in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth, they shall be loosed also in heaven’ [Matt. 16:18–19]). ... On him [Peter] he builds the Church, and to him he gives the command to feed the sheep [John 21:17], and although he assigns a like power to all the apostles, yet he founded a single chair [cathedra], and he established by his own authority a source and an intrinsic reason for that unity. Indeed, the others were also what Peter was [i.e., apostles], but a primacy is given to Peter, whereby it is made clear that there is but one Church and one chair. So too, all [the apostles] are shepherds, and the flock is shown to be one, fed by all the apostles in single-minded accord. If someone does not hold fast to this unity of Peter, can he imagine that he still holds the faith? If he [should] desert the chair of Peter upon whom the Church was built, can he still be confident that he is in the Church?" (The Unity of the Catholic Church 4; 1st edition [A.D. 251]).

HammerStone · Mar 13, 2008

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