Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

To: count-your-change; frogjerk

What about the saints (many) who remained celibate or left their spouses to join a convent or monastery. Most of this happened after the other spouse’s death — but not always. Of course, the person entering the religious life had the consent of their spouse (and in some cases — children)


11 posted on 03/15/2010 3:26:11 PM PDT by Salvation ("With God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies ]


To: Salvation
The source for your information?
The contrary seems to be the point in Ambrose's comment in his treatis on duties of the clergy:

“But ye know that the ministerial office must be kept pure and unspotted, and must not be defiled by conjugal intercourse; ye know this, I say, who have received the gifts of the sacred ministry, with pure bodies, and unspoilt modesty, and without ever having enjoyed conjugal intercourse. I am mentioning this, because in some out-of-the-way places, when they enter on the ministry, or even when they become priests, they have begotten children.”
Bk 1, 258.

Conjugal intercourse a defilement? How sick is that?

12 posted on 03/15/2010 4:57:23 PM PDT by count-your-change (You don't have be brilliant, not being stupid is enough.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | 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