"Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles,, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?" 1 Cor. 9:5Paul did not say they were widowers, he said they were married with wives that accompanied them on their journeys. I love it when those defending catholic teachings try to do so when they themselves obviously do not read the Bible. Any high school bible student would know this, but we are to believe that the Catholic church is above reproach in its teachings. Even when they are proven to be wrong tine and time again.
20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 "Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. (Col. 2:20-23)That being said, I agree with Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians that it is be best if a man or woman can remain celibate, but he did not require it to be. Paul believed, to which I concur, that it is difficult to have 100% devotion to God when you are torn by your devotion to a spouse. However few, and I mean very very few, can remain celibate without being tempted in this world, especially in today's sex charged atmosphere. Paul wrote this in 1 Cor 7:8-9,
But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passionSadly the Catholic church has taken this passage and made a mockery of what Paul was teaching the Corinthians. My Catholic friends need to spend more time in the word, and less time defending religious traditions that only makes the Word of God of no effect, as Jesus Himself told the Pharisees When he rebuked them in Mark chapter 7.
Just look at the sexual improprieties among the priesthood which are now becoming known. Then we can understand the seriousness of the problem of practicing this unbiblical teaching.
The people mentioned in the first sentence are obviously NOT practicing Catholic teaching.
Quite frankly there are also sexual impropriesties among married pastors etc.
SK (Baptist) pastor arrested on child rape chargesSadly, this is a problem that affects married and unmarried pastors....Pastor had sex with teens to cure their homosexuality
Riverside Pastor Now Faces 91 Sex-Related Charges
San Jose pastor accused of molesting boy
Pastor admits molesting 2 girls
Pastor held for sexually exploiting minor girls
Where is the Outrage? (evangelical pedophiles)
Pastor Admits Guilt in Sexual Abuse Cases on Consecutive Days
Pastor in Puyallup charged with child molesting
Pastors: Homosexuality not a sin (100 ordained Christian ministers have signed the proclamation)
Pastor arrested on child molestation charges
Teen testifies of abuse by pastor
Humboldt pastor pleads guilty to sex abuse
Charlotte Presbytery, too, ends gay ban
Clergy Sex Abuse in the Southern Baptist Convention
Kingston, PA, youth minister accused of molesting teens
Pastor Arrested For Child Molestation (DeLand, FL)
Arizona pastor arrested, accused of molesting boys in 3 states
Fugitive pastor wanted on child sex charges found (raw video link) (Gaston Co NC)
Sacramento pastor Molesting Teen
Pastor settles with victim out of court
Kelso Pastor Charged With Multiple Rapes In Portland, OR
Delray pastor gets no jail time for molestation
pastor pleads guilty to molesting boy, attempt on brother
pastor gets 4 year sentence for molesting teens
Jersey Pastor Forced Teens to Make Sex Tape at Motel,
Coral springs youth pastor arrested for 10 counts of lewd and lascivious molestation
Ada preacher charged with molesting young boys
New Life Christian Center vows to support accused pastor (accused of sex with 13 y/o)
Pastor Convicted Of Sex Assault Dies In Prison (Dogwood City, TX)
Former Gladewater, TX, pastor pleads guilty in sexual assault of a child trial
Pastor arrested on charges of solicitation (High Point, NC)
pastor faces hearing on sex charges
Child molesting case resurfaces, could cost First Baptist Church of Hesperia millions
Former Prestonwood, TX, pastor remains jailed, faces online solicitation charges
First Baptist Church deacon Stephen Edmonds pleaded guilty to molesting three boy
Watertown, SD, Pastor Arrested, Charged With Sex Crimes
pastor pleads to 9 counts of voyeurism
Suits allege clergy misconduct, Two Baptist ministers apologize after women bring forth accusations