Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: marshmallow
Father Heid said that like the apostles, married men who became priests in the early church lived completely chaste lives after ordination.

I'd be interested in seeing the factual evidence to support this claim, particularly with regard to St. Peter and his wife. Considered the first pope, did he become celibate when assuming that role? Can't imagine many women putting up with that one. "Honey, I'm the first Bishop of Rome...no more sex for you."

2 posted on 03/08/2010 5:47:09 AM PST by peyton randolph (Obama Luti)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: peyton randolph
I'd be interested in seeing the factual evidence to support this claim,

You'd probably be interested in much of what Scripture actually says because apparently you haven't read much of it.

"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 (emphasis added for your edification)

"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 (emphasis added for your edification)

"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 (emphasis added for your edification)

particularly with regard to St. Peter and his wife.

Scripture only mentions the mother in law of St. Peter, never his wife, so you can only definitively state that Simon Bar-Jona was married at one time. However, from the above passages it is clear that the Apostles, including Peter, gave up everything to follow Christ.

You also obviously aren't familiar with Moses abstaining from conjugal relations with his wife, either.

If you're sincerely looking for more evidence I suggest you read Clement of Alexandria's The Stromata. In particular, Book VII, Chapter XI:

'They say, accordingly, that the blessed Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced on account of her call and conveyance home, and called very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, "Remember thou the Lord." Such was the marriage of the blessed and their perfect disposition towards those dearest to them.

Thus also the apostle says, "that he who marries should be as though he married not," and deem his marriage free of inordinate affection, and inseparable from love to the Lord; to which the true husband exhorted his wife to cling on her departure out of this life to the Lord.'

along with:

You should get started as soon as possible on your studies.

5 posted on 03/08/2010 6:48:28 AM PST by A.A. Cunningham (Barry Soetoro is a Kenyan communist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ]

To: peyton randolph
I'd be interested in seeing the factual evidence to support this claim, particularly with regard to St. Peter and his wife.

I think the evidence for Peter even being married when he met Jesus is slim. We know he was married at some point, b/c his mother-in-law is mentioned. Clement of Alexandria mentions that Peter's wife was martyred for the faith (before Peter), and that they had a daughter. That's it.

8 posted on 03/08/2010 8:22:28 AM PST by Campion ("President Barack Obama" is an anagram for "An Arab-backed imposter")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ]

To: peyton randolph

Me too.... actually early priests were allowed to have wives..celibacy was born into virtue when the priests in Spain left church property to their children


11 posted on 03/09/2010 12:33:55 PM PST by RnMomof7
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson