My source is "Saint Peter and the First Years of Christianity", by the Abbe Constant Fouard, translated by George F. X. Griffith (second edition 1892, Longmans, Green and Co.). On page 248, in a chapter describing St. Peter and the Jews of Rome, Abbe Fouard writes: "But though the wife of Simon the fisherman did not accompany him during the Master's lifetime, yet after the Resurrection, united to him now by purely spiritual ties, she could have no reason for leaving his side." Footnotes acompanying the paragraph reference Cor. ix. 5, the writings of Clement of Alexandria (Stromata, vii.11), and Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, iii. 30. I have not reverted to the original sources to confirm this statement of Abbe Fouard.
If that's true, then "Pope Peter the First" was in a continuing state of sin. The Bible says:
1st Cor.7:3 The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4The wife's body does not belong to her alone but also to her husband. In the same way, the husband's body does not belong to him alone but also to his wife. 5Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of selfcontrol.
Well, that's the Apostle Paul's take on the matter. Temporary marital abstinence is permitted (it's the sexual equivalent of fasting), but permanent abstinence is not. Regular sex (assuming no medical or other impediment prevents it) is a requirement of Christian marriage.
Hallelujah.
Thanks for the quote. I don't mean to start an argument, we are both entrenched in our positions and probably will never agree. My understanding of celibacy has more to do with the role and function of a priest--something I already disagree about. It's about Christ anyway--that I'm sure we agree about.