Married Priest: 'Single Clergy Better Placed to Serve God'

BBC ^ | 8/17/11 | Joe Wilson

[marshmallow]

A married Roman Catholic priest from Burnley has said he believes the church is correct to prefer single celibate clergy in their parishes.

Father Paul Blackburn is the most recently ordained priest into the Salford Diocese.

He is married with three children.

A former Anglican minister, Father Paul embraced Catholicism after growing dissatisfied with the direction the Church of England was taking on some moral issues.

He said single priests are better placed to serve God by giving their entire life to his ministry.

"Whatever the church decides about the future shape of ministry there will always be a need for celibate priests," Father Paul told BBC Radio Lancashire.

God's will

For centuries, the Roman Catholic Church has insisted that its priests be both single and celibate claiming it is God's will. They say it has apostolic authority and back up the argument with biblical references.

Critics, amongst them some practising clergy in the church, say laws of celibacy are a more earthly ruling and did not apply in the early days of the church. Saint Peter, the first pope, was married and so were some subsequent popes and bishops.

The rule of clerical celibacy is a church law and not a doctrine, thus the Pope can alter the ruling at any time. The current pontiff, Pope Benedict XVI, is staunchly in favour of the status quo. However, he can and does allow former married Anglican minsters to become Catholic priests with each case being viewed on an individual basis.

In recent times this was seen as a gift from the Pope and is also now part of the ordinariate as some Anglicans struggle to remain in the Church of England.

Many Catholics believe that a married priest is a more rounded priest whose experiences can help deal with family issues...........

[A.A. Cunningham]

However, he can and does allow former married Anglican minsters to become Catholic priests with each case being viewed on an individual basis.

Correction: However, he can and does allow; under Blessed John Paul IIs 1980 Pastoral Provision, some former married Anglican minsters to become Catholic priests with each case being viewed on an individual basis. Said men must agree, prior to ordination, that, if their spouse precedes them in death, to adopt the discipline of celibacy for the remainder of their life.

[SkyDancer]

I is my understanding from reading the NT that disciples of Yashua were married. Then , In 1022 Pope Benedict VIII banned marriages and mistresses for priests and in 1139 Pope Innocent II voided all marriages of priests and all new priests had to divorce their wives.

[JPII Be Not Afraid]

We have a married priest in our area. He and his wife are wonderful and we just love them. When he was first ordained, his wife thought all priests should be able to marry. But after a few years, she now realizes that the priesthood is meant for single men, not married ones. The priesthood is very different from being just a minister, it encompasses your entire life. She wouldn’t change it now, but she would be the first to tell you priests should be and remain single.

[Campion]

Actually, celibacy was required for presbyters and bishops in the West at least as far back as the 3rd century. (Council of Elvira in Spain)

It had to be periodically reiterated, which is why you find celibacy legislation in the 12th century, but was hardly a new thing then.

You might want to give a careful re-read to 1 Cor 7, where Paul is crystal clear that a single person is better suited to serve the Lord. Celibacy additionally exists as a sign of heaven, where we neither marry nor are given in marriage, according to the Bible.

[A.A. Cunningham]

You misunderstand both Scripture and history.

[johngrace]

Celibacy is Church Practice, Not Dogma

Matt. 19:11-12 - Jesus says celibacy is a gift from God and whoever can bear it should bear it. Jesus praises and recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church. Because celibacy is a gift from God, those who criticize the Church’s practice of celibacy are criticizing God and this wonderful gift He bestows on His chosen ones.

Matt. 19:29 - Jesus says that whoever gives up children for the sake of His name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. Jesus praises celibacy when it is done for the sake of His kingdom.

Matt. 22:30 - Jesus explains that in heaven there are no marriages. To bring about Jesus’ kingdom on earth, priests live the heavenly consecration to God by not taking a wife in marriage. This way, priests are able to focus exclusively on the spiritual family, and not have any additional pressures of the biological family (which is for the vocation of marriage). This also makes it easier for priests to be transferred to different parishes where they are most needed without having to worry about the impact of their transfer on wife and children.

1 Cor 7:1 – Paul teaches that it is well for a man not to touch a woman. This is the choice that the Catholic priests of the Roman rite freely make.

1 Cor. 7:7 - Paul also acknowledges that celibacy is a gift from God and wishes that all were celibate like he is.

1 Cor. 7:27 – Paul teaches men that they should not seek marriage. In Paul’s opinion, marriage introduces worldly temptations that can interfere with one’s relationship with God, specifically regarding those who will become full-time ministers in the Church.

1 Cor. 7:32-33, 38 - Paul recommends celibacy for full-time ministers in the Church so that they are able to focus entirely upon God and building up His kingdom. He “who refrains from marriage will do better.”

1 Tim. 3:2 - Paul instructs that bishops must be married only once. Many Protestants use this verse to prove that the Church’s celibacy law is in error. But they are mistaken because this verse refers to bishops that were widowers. Paul is instructing that these widowers could not remarry. The verse also refers to those bishops who were currently married. They also could not remarry (in the Catholic Church’s Eastern rite, priests are allowed to marry; celibacy is only a disciplinary rule for the clergy of the Roman rite). Therefore, this text has nothing to do with imposing a marriage requirement on becoming a bishop.

1 Tim. 4:3 - in this verse, Paul refers to deceitful doctrines that forbid marriage. Many non-Catholics also use this verse to impugn the Church’s practice of celibacy. This is entirely misguided because the Catholic Church (unlike many Protestant churches) exalts marriage to a sacrament. In fact, marriage is elevated to a sacrament, but consecrated virginity is not. The Church declares marriage sacred, covenantal and lifegiving. Paul is referring to doctrines that forbid marriage and other goods when done outside the teaching of Christ and for a lessor good. Celibacy is an act of giving up one good (marriage and children) for a greater good (complete spiritual union with God).

1 Tim. 5:9-12 - Paul recommends that older widows take a pledge of celibacy. This was the beginning of women religious orders.

2 Tim. 2:3-4 - Paul instructs his bishop Timothy that no soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim his to satisfy the One who enlisted him. Paul is using an analogy to describe the role of the celibate priesthood in the Church.

Rev. 14:4 - unlike our sinful world of the flesh, in heaven, those consecrated to virginity are honored.

Isaiah 56:3-7 - the eunuchs who keep God’s covenant will have a special place in the kingdom of heaven.

Jer. 16:1-4 - Jeremiah is told by God not to take a wife or have children.

[johngrace]

hthttp://www.scripturecatholic.com/the_priesthood.html#priesthood-IV

[Winstons Julia]

Thuper... don’t mean to be disrespectful... but priests and pastors are often asked to discuss marital issues.

Who are you going to ask? The guy who is not married... or the married guy?

[sayuncledave]

Winstons, likewise without any offense meant whatsoever, it implies the same as asking whether or not a man might, as an OB/GYN, be able to give valid advice to a woman. The fact that a celibate man is a priest does not negate a sense of reason, intellect, et cetera, in a man of God.

[Winstons Julia]

That medical doctor is trained in and has experience of medical things.

That priest may be trained in WHAT to say ...but has no experience of it.

I already understand that I have to say ten hail Marys or whatever.

[vladimir998]

So you wouldn’t go to Jesus for marriage help because He was celibate? You wouldn’t go to St. Paul?

The simple fact is men who are deep in faith know all about marriage even if they’re unmarried.

[annalex]

To add to the previous remarks, there is a specific need for a celibate’s perspective in counseling on matters of sex. That is because invariably it is sexual incontinence that leads to marital problems, so advice from a man or a woman who practice continence is of special value.

[Campion]

That priest may be trained in WHAT to say ...but has no experience of it.

Priests grew up in families (they don't hatch them in seminaries), so it's not like they're totally ignorant of family life.

And, many marital issues are really relational or moral issues which aren't specific to marriage. If your wife is mad at you because you're looking at porn and flirting with women online, it doesn't take someone with years of experience in marriage to know what the problem is, or how to fix it.

Marriage counseling is not really the primary item on the job description of a Catholic priest, either. Catholics are perfectly free to go to someone else for that. Many Catholic parishes in the U.S. have permanent deacons on staff who are married, BTW.

[SkyDancer]

I think you misunderstand Scripture and history.

[pbear8]

From the beginning men who were called to serve the Lord left their wives and families behind. The families were cared for by the young Christian communities.

[longtermmemmory]

better not tell the Orthodox Christians, they have been allowing marriage for a millenia or so.

[A.A. Cunningham]

I think you misunderstand Scripture and history.

Quite the contrary and by what you've written here, I know for a fact that you are indeed ignorant of both Scripture and history.

"Who said to them: All men take not this word, but they to whom it is given. 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 19:11-12

"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 (emphasis added)

"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)

"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." 1 Corinthians 7:32-33

The following is extremely dry and requires an ability to comprehend the written word which you obviously lack thus you'll most likely be uninterested but if you want to be taken seriously on the topic at hand you need to read it and get educated. Unless of course you're content in your current state.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Better not omit the fact that while the Orthodox do ordain married men; just as 21 of the 22 Churches sui juris which comprise the Catholic Church do, once ordained a single Priest may not then marry and remain in the clerical state. It should also be noted that Bishops in the Orthodox Church are exclusively celibate; married men are not eligible to serve as Bishops.

[SkyDancer]

Right. You’re saying I will prove my point by using a book that’s written by my church to prove my point. Question: What was the early church like - Book of Acts churches. What are they like today?