Posted on 06/11/2008 4:12:18 PM PDT by NYer
Historic ping!
So where IS the Biblical authority for keeping priests unmarried? If I recall correctly, the Apostle Paul talked quite a bit about it, but clearly prefaced his remarks by stating that they were HIS opinion, NOT from God. That being the case, how does the Catholic Church justify it?
Use that kind of language on the Religion forum again, and you’ll be off this site in a flash.
Well, if you're the head of the church you do, at least. And since God is, and it's His Church, I reckon that's that, hunh?
If you don't like priestly celibacy, then perhaps you shouldn't become a priest.
As for scripture, tell me, where does scripture get its authority?
It Takes a Village of Vocations [Part Two of a series on Celibacy] -- Catholic Caucus
Living Single and Celibate in God’s Service [Part Three of a series on Celibacy] -- Catholic Caucus
Brothers and Sisters in Christ [Part Four of a series on Celibacy] -- Catholic Caucus
The Adventure of the Priesthood [Part Five of a series on Celibacy] -- Catholic Caucus
This Is the Body of Christ [Part Six of a series on Celibacy and Vocations] -- Catholic Caucus
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Priesthood (Holy Orders) [Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]
What You {Catholics} Need to Know: Celibacy [Catholic/Orthodox Caucus]
What You [Catholics] Need to Know: Deacons and the Diaconate[Catholic-Orthodox Caucus]
SCRIPTURE gets its authority from God... that’s a given. BUT nowhere that I have seen in scripture does it say that church officials should be UNMARRIED. So that’s my question... from whence is this authority derived and why? It’s an honest question. I really want to know.
You didn’t read any of the links I posted, did you. Answer is there.
Given by whom?
Your links call it a good thing but do not give the source of the authority for the church to MANDATE it. THAT’S what I’m looking for.
GIVEN by God... the early church made the selections after much prayer and consideration.
what authority does "the early church" have to decide what's given by God?
You know, I’m just not sure, am I? But you do seem to want to avoid answering MY question, which was, after all, posted first.
"For there are eunuchs, who were born so from their mother's womb: and there are eunuchs, who were made so by men: and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it." Matthew 19:12
"Then Peter answering, said to him: Behold we have left all things, and have followed thee: what therefore shall we have? And Jesus said to them: Amen, I say to you, that you, who have followed me, in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on the seat of his majesty, you also shall sit on twelve seats judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall possess life everlasting. And many that are first, shall be last: and the last shall be first." Matthew 19:27-30
"Then Peter said: Behold, we have left all things, and have followed thee. Who said to them: Amen, I say to you, there is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive much more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." Luke 18:28-30
"But I would have you to be without solicitude. He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the things of the world, how she may please her husband. And this I speak for your profit: not to cast a snare upon you; but for that which is decent, and which may give you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment." 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
If you consider St. Paul's writings to be only opinion you no doubt consider the rest of Scripture to be only the opinion of the individual author's as well and not the inspired word of God, don't you? And if that is indeed the case then why are you even asking these questions?
I consider the remarks that Paul HIMSELF said were his opinion to be just that, his opinion. The places where he says that this is GOD’S word, I accept as just that as well. And your scripture quotation appears not to be MANDATING celibacy but merely allowing it as an option.
The same Church that teaches us about priestly celibacy and other matters of faith and morals.
I am not a Catholic, so I don’t have that same feeling that the RC church is infallible. If someone states something as the Word of God but cannot cite the appropriate passage that backs him up and if I cannot find it myself, then I tend to look askance at that person AND his claims. Sorry.
Matthew 19:10-12, Matthew 19:29, 1 Corinthians 7:32-35.
A clearer understanding is contained in the Catechism of the Catholic Church
1579. "All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate 'for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.' [Mt 19:12 .] Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to 'the affairs of the Lord,' [1 Cor 7:32 .] they give themselves entirely to God and to men. celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. [Cf. PO 16.]"
Note that
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