[Campion]

If it had meant “must be married” it would have said “must be married”. But in fact the same Apostle wrote that it was better not to marry. Did he contradict himself? Of course not.

[metmom]

Must be the husband of one wife = must be a married man.

another good example of how when someone doesn’t like what Scripture says, they *interpret* it to mean something else.

So the Catholic church interprets *must be the husband of one wife* into *doesn’t mean married.*

Single priests have no idea how to deal with the interpersonal relationships that marriage and family provide and are not qualified to counsel others in how to successfully do it.

Besides, many of the apostles and disciples were married men. Where does the church get off demanding it of their priests?

[metmom]

1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer.

[Biggirl]

Well we are used to it now. We have perminant deacons.

[boatbums]

If it had meant “must be married” it would have said “must be married”. But in fact the same Apostle wrote that it was better not to marry. Did he contradict himself? Of course not.

Paul qualified his advice:

Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is. Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this. What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. (I Cor. 7:25-31)