This is the one that stands out to me as a good reason. In marriage your first priority is supposed to be your wife, not your job. A priest's calling (and job) is to God and the church.
Of course this opinion is coming from a southern Baptist, so I may have something backwards here.
This is the one that stands out to me as a good reason. In marriage your first priority is supposed to be your wife, not your job. A priest's calling (and job) is to God and the church.
Of course this opinion is coming from a southern Baptist, so I may have something backwards here.
You have the reasoning. Family does become a big issue for priests regardless of whether or not they are married. I know a number who, for whatever reason, are only children and care for their parents does fall to them. And the US has one bishop who's only sibling was murdered by her husband leaving two sons with only this uncle as a family adult.
So, there's more to it than simply celibacy.