Is there a Biblical injunction against the clergy being married? And the answer is no.
The RCC, due to tradition, has taken this and has made it a "rule" that clergy cannot be married.
Just one of many man-made rules by the RCC that contradicts the Bible.
Been good chatting with you.
"Is there a Biblical injunction against the clergy being married? And the answer is no."
True. As you know, we agree on this.
"The RCC, due to tradition, has taken this and has made it a "rule" that clergy cannot be married."
Depends on how you define "rule." As you know, this is not true, if by "rule" you mean "a doctrine to be observed by the whole church," or, even further, "a dogma of the faith." Go ask NYer about her pastor, a married Catholic priest.
It has only applied to parts of the Church, and never as a matter of unchanging dogma. It's what we call a "discipline." It's not one of the Ten Commandments. It's a non-universal, essentially changeable decretal.
It's no more unreasonable than, "Our seminary does not admit seminarians who are over $10,000 in debt, e.g. carrying outstanding student loans."
"Trappists don't welcome compulsive talkers."
"A married man can become a deacon, but only if his wife agrees."
"Our convent doesn't accept novices under the age of 21."
"Bishops offer their resignation to the Pope at the age of 75."
"Cardinals over 80 can't vote in papal conclaves."
These are simply the rules made by a society which has the authority to govern itself.
If you don't even believe in the priesthood --- which I think you don't --- then why do you want to continually hassle about canon law? --- which,by your theory, the Church can never get right, because the very concepts of priesthood, canon law, and Church are --- to you --- all illegitimate anyhow?
" Just one of many man-made rules by the RCC that contradicts the Bible."(Rolls eyes.)
You evidently think the Church has no right to make rules for its own clergy. Even though Christ gave the Church that authority (Matthew 16:19) and the Church has been doing it since Pentecost.
Bye. I expect to enjoy your company on another thread.