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Celibacy does not go against this verse. All it says is that a bishop cannot be the husband of more than wife (adultery, divorce, etc.). Since early times both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have chosen celibacy for the position of Bishop. Never mind that there are several verses that cite celibacy as the ideal life and that celibacy is merely a discipline, and not dogma.

I certainly agree that there is nothing wrong with living a celibate life. It is commended by Paul for those who can. However, I don't think this should exclude married men from being church leaders. As I read the Bible (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1), I think both single and married men are eligible. I also think numerous Protestant denominations that are now allowing women and, in a few cases, practicing homosexuals, are deviating from God's intent for church leadership, and their disobedience is to their own detriment.

I certainly agree that there is nothing wrong with living a celibate life. It is commended by Paul for those who can. However, I don't think this should exclude married men from being church leaders.

The Latin priest, and many of the Eastern Catholic priests, model their lives on Jesus Christ, who was celibate.

"His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with [his] wife, it is not good to marry. But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save [they] to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their] mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is able to receive [it], let him receive [it]." - Matthew 19:10-12

Though it is not "forbidden" for the clergy to marry in the Christian religion, it is strongly recommended that one does not marry, if one is to be a priest or minister. I have read how Protestant minister's families have interfered in their religious duties. A Catholic priest does not have these concerns and can give God's work first priority.

Celibacy does not go against this verse. All it says is that a bishop cannot be the husband of more than wife (adultery, divorce, etc.). Since early times both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches have chosen celibacy for the position of Bishop. Never mind that there are several verses that cite celibacy as the ideal life and that celibacy is merely a discipline, and not dogma. I certainly agree that there is nothing wrong with living a celibate life. It is commended by Paul for those who can. However, I don't think this should exclude married men from being church leaders. As I read the Bible (1 Timothy 3 and Titus 1), I think both single and married men are eligible.

Well, that's a valid opinion, and at this point we'd really just have to agree to disagree. And don't take that is me ducking the argument. It's just that clerical celibacy is a discpline rather than dogma, which means it really is open for debate.

However, it's not going to change in the Western Church anytime soon, only because it so much of a tradition in our Church, that to change things on a dime really would create a lot of questions, problems, and issues. The Eastern Churches and the "high" Protestant churches like the Anglicans and Lutherans are set up to accomodate a married priesthood based on their own long-standing traditions.