Free Republic 2nd Qtr 2026 Fundraising Target: $81,000 Receipts & Pledges to-date: $11,640
14%  
Woo hoo!! And we're now over 14%!! Thank you all for your continued support!!

Keyword: christianvschristin

Brevity: Headers | « Text »
  • Were the Popes Really Celibate?

    12/17/2009 11:28:46 PM PST · by Gamecock · 898 replies · 7,220+ views
    Apologetics Press ^ | Moisés Pinedo
    Although the Bible clearly does not support the doctrine of celibacy as a requisite to any office of the church (see Pinedo, 2008), the Catholic Church has established celibacy as a distinctive mark of the papacy and other Catholic offices. In fact, the current pope, Benedict XVI, affirmed that celibacy (imposed by Pope Gregory VII in the Council of Rome in 1074) “is really a special way of conforming oneself to Christ’s own way of life” (“Pope Pens...,” 2007). Therefore, whoever wants to serve as a priest, and finally as the Universal Bishop of the Catholic Church (the pope),...