why can't catholic priests marry

Canonically, priests cannot marry for a number of reasons. When we examine the research (and space permits only a cursory overview here), in fact, it shows that sexual abuse has a much higher percentage of occurrence in Protestant churches than within celibate Catholic clergy — and this according to Protestant research! Theologically, it may be pointed out that priests serve in the place of Christ and therefore, their ministry specially configures them to Christ. Married men have been and still are allowed to become priests, provided that they belong to a tradition within the Church that allows for married clergy. In fact, this is part of the spiritual dimension of priestly celibacy. There is spiritual wisdom at work here — and infinite practicality. … Possibly, but not likely. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it.". Roman Catholic priests ( that is priests of the Latin Rite) can’t be married ,however, I believe priests of other Catholic rites ( outside of the US) can be married prior to being ordained. I know this is not Biblical because Peter had a wife and nowhere are we told in the Bible that a man cant marry. Roman), the practice is for priests not to marry or be married. Also, there were a few married priests who had converted from another religion ( IIRC Episcopalian) who received a dispensation. The hope of Stump the Priest was to … The belief that religious figures should be celibate began long before the birth of Christianity. Many contend that it is largely the result of this discipline of celibacy. He has spent the last twenty years  studying Sacred Scripture and Church teaching and teaches Scripture and apologetics classes for the Archdiocese of Vancouver's Office of Catechetics' quarterly Institutes. There is no reason to think He has stopped this in our time. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." Most Latin Rite priests come from those that have vowed celibacy to God. I am often asked, “Why can’t Catholic priests marry?” This is certainly a long-standing debate and one that rages throughout history. Second, while diocesan priests do not take vows, they do make a promise of celibacy. Because of different needs and customs, the Church in her wisdom allows freedom in the small “t” traditions of the East and West—but while the traditions vary, the valued model of celibate, supernatural fatherhood remains universal. Moreover, there is an ancient Eastern discipline of choosing bishops from the ranks of the celibate monks, so their bishops are all unmarried. Catholic men in one of the Eastern rites (Byzantine, Maronite, Coptic, etc.) (CBS News) For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has had a very firm rule - if you're a priest, you can't get married. They have given up something "good" (marriage), for something even better — total devotion to Jesus and His Church. They are given for the pastoral good of the faithful, and are not "optional", but must be faithfully observed. This sure would solve many of the Catholic molesting problems. Apparently there is nothing saying priests (or bishops and other ministers of the church) to be married to the opposite sex (same-sex marriage, unfortunately, is.a whole different story).While the Anglican Church under Henry VIII had to remain unmarried and certainly celibate, Edward VI did away with this restriction when he became King of England in 1547. This, however, is not common. There are many "Rites" or ethnic churches within the Catholic Church — think of them along the lines of cultural divisions within the universal Church — but in truth, they are much more profound than that. "Jesus said to them, 'When they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but they are like the angels in heaven'". Graham makes his home in Wynndel, B.C. The Eastern discipline permits the ordination of married men to the priesthood. And we also saw earlier how St Paul, celibate himself, appeals strongly for the same (1 Corinthians 7:7-38). Paul makes it very clear that remaining single allows one’s attention to be undivided in serving the Lord (1 Cor 7:32–35). Recall, "Some.... have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Barr added that priests can also request to marry a couple in a non-church wedding, as long as one is a confirmed Catholic and resides in the Archdiocese of Baltimore. More likely, the onslaught of secular, worldly influences is muffling God's call, and the faithful, devout family life that can be so helpful in nurturing this vocation seems to be in the minority these days. Finally, in neither the Latin rite nor the Eastern rites do priests (or deacons) marry after they have been ordained, except in extraordinary circumstances. Second, while diocesan priests do not take vows, they do make a promise of celibacy. So there are a number of married Catholic priests, especially in Eastern Catholic rites. There is a long-standing practice, though, to require celibacy of Latin (or Roman) rite priests. Examples include the length of fast before communion (now it is 1 hour, not too long ago, it started at midnight on Saturday), and abstaining from meat on Friday. So is it possible that some day this discipline of priestly celibacy might change? Note that St Paul refers to celibacy here as a "gift"! Graham Osborne is a professional nature photographer and biologist. According to Pew Research, 60 percent of Catholics believe priests should be allowed to be married. First, priests who belong to religious orders take vows of celibacy. Roman Catholic Deacons are also allowed to be married at the time they are ordained. Jesus also spoke of it in Matthew 19:12, where he clearly recommends celibacy to those who can accept it: "Some are incapable of marriage because....  they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. This distinction is possible because there is nothing in the Deposit of the Faith that prohibits priests from being married. "I want you to be free from anxieties. The reasons Latin rite priests can’t marry are both theological and canonical. Clerical celibacy is the requirement in certain religions that some or all members of the clergy be unmarried. Jimmy Akin explains. Presently, there is discussion that the Catholic Church may consider an additional exception to the rule of priestly celibacy. Why Can’t Catholic Priests Marry? It is true that in the early Church, some of the Apostles and priests were married. This discipline was formally instituted in the early 300's, but recent evidence suggests that it … A fair question, especially given the times we live in. I do not know of any orders of female religious who accept married women, although they accept widows. Why can't priests get married? A distinction must be made from the outset: some Catholic priests can be married and some can’t. By remaining celibate and devoting themselves to the service of the Church, priests more closely model, configure themselves to, and consecrate themselves to Christ. Ever wonder why Roman Catholic Priests can't get married? These religions consider that, outside of marriage, deliberately indulging in sexual thoughts and behavior is sinful; clerical celibacy also requires abstention from these. Jesus picks 12 as his first priests, and one is Judas. The Roman Catholic Church bars most married men from becoming priests, but that rule, could, in theory, be changed. may be married before ordination, and then serve as married Catholic priests. The Roman Catholic Church's position today is derived from the C… Numbers have been dropping: between 1970 and 2014 the world’s Catholic population grew from 654m to 1.23bn, while the number of priests declined from 420,000 to 414,000. In Mark 12:24-25, Jesus would also confirm that in heaven, people would not actually be "married" as we know it. Third, the Church has established impediments that block the validity of marriages attempted by those who have been ordained. As Christ himself makes clear, none of us will be married in heaven (Mt 22:23–30). Thus, properly speaking, priests have never been allowed to marry. This impediment remains as long as the priest has not been dispensed from it, even if he were to attempt a civil marriage, even if he left the Church and joined a non-Catholic sect, and even if he apostatized from the Christian faith altogether. Q:  Why can't Roman Catholic priests marry? However, there is much scriptural and historical evidence supporting a celibate priesthood. In the Eastern rites of the Church it is common for married men to be ordained to the priesthood. Further, in the Latin rite there are a few married men, converted ministers from other faiths, who are ordained to the Catholic priesthood. But some Roman Catholic … St Paul writes clearly in favor of it in 1 Corinthians 7:7,38, saying: "I wish that all were as I myself am. Why Catholic Priests Can't Marry (at Least for Now) Sept. 25, 2013, 12:17 PM UTC / Source: LiveScience. Was not married ( except in a mystical sense, they marry Church. 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