Luther, Calvin and Zwingli thought that the perpetual virginity of the Blessed Virgin Mary was important too.
Google it.
But WHY?
When I was in Catholic school, we were discussing this doctrine, and I asked Sr. Josephine why when the Bibles we were using stated otherwise (again Matthew 1:25). She simply stated it was because it was dogma. That wasn’t enough of an answer then.
If it is simply a matter of dogma, then that is fine. I’m just curious.
Like we talked about the other day, I can go on for HOURS (and have) on the development of the doctrine and how it went through cycles of popularity in the Middle Ages.
I do not see it as an ‘essential doctrine’ and am wondering why Catholics do.