[invoman]

Who says an officer must be celibate?

I'm not sure if you are joking around or not, so I'll assume you are not for this reply.

I believe the text of the Bible says an office holder in the Church MUST be married.

I cannot resolve 1st Timothy 3:4,5 AND Titus 1:5-7 without believing the above.

[RobbyS]

I believe the text of the Bible[1:5-7] says an office holder in the Church MUST be married. He is talking about the leaders of house-churches. Normally the church would meet only in the house of a pious man, faithful to his wife and with obedient children etc. Why would a widower be excluded? The question of celibacy would probably not even arise.