What it is:
In Roman Catholicism, celibacy is the renunciation of marriage, for the more perfect observance of chastity, by all those who receive the Sacrament of Orders in any of the higher grades (sub-deacon or higher). The Sacrament of Orders, or Holy Orders, is one of the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "the candidates for ordination are solemnly warned by the bishop at the beginning of the ordination ceremony regarding the gravity of the obligation which they are incurring. The Bishop tells them 'You ought anxiously to consider again and again what sort of a burden this is which you are taking upon you of your own accord. Up to this you are free. You may still, if you choose, turn to the aims and desires of the world... But if you receive this order (of the subdiaconate) it will no longer be lawful to turn back from your purpose. You will be required to continue in the service of God, and with His assistance to observe chastity and to be bound forever in the ministrations of the Altar, to serve who is to reign.' By stepping forward despite this warning, when invited to do so, and by co-operating in the rest of the ordination service, the candidate is understood to bind himself equivalently by a VOW of chastity. He is henceforth unable to contract a valid marriage, and any serious transgression of this vow is not only a greivous sin in itself but incurs the additional guilt of sacrilege."
How it came about:
The Catholic Church readily admits that there is no warrant in the NT for compulsory celibacy of ordained ministers. In fact, Peter was married, and Paul states that the bishop or deacon should be the husband of one wife (1 Tim. 3:2,12; Titus 1:6). However, in Matt. 19:12 Jesus speaks "there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven." And Paul, in 1 Cor. 7:33-34, clearly confirms the value of the unmarried state in allowing for a more focused ministry. "One who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord; but one who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife, and his interests are divided." Therefore, there is a utilitarian motive for celibacy. For example, celibacy is an aid to missions, since the cost to support the celibate priest is much less than supporting an entire family. Also, celibacy is an aid to the confidentiality of CONFESSION, since there is no danger of sharing secrets with a spouse.
The Catholic Church also sees a purity motive for celibacy. According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, "From the earliest period the Church was personified and conceived of by her disciples as the Virgin Bride, and it was plainly fitting that this virgin Church should be served by a virgin priesthood." Celibacy is seen as a sign of the Sacrament of Holy Orders, consecrating the ordinand to the new life of ministry.
The compulsory aspect of celibacy developed over time as a TRADITION in the Catholic Church. In the early church, ministers were often married. In the fourth century, celibacy was initially imposed in Spain by the Council of Elvira. If the priests continued to live with their wives and beget children, they were to be deposed. Pope Siricius in 386 issued an edict forbidding priests and deacons from having intercourse with their wives. Synods in Orleans (538) and Tours (567) prohibited those already married from continuing to live with their wives. The Council of Trullo (692) imposed celibacy upon bishops. In practice, however, celibacy was not usually enforced. In the eleventh century, beginning with Pope Leo IX and Pope Gregory VII, a determined stand was taken to enforce celibacy. The children of married priests were to be considered slaves, were debarred from Holy Orders, and were made ineligible for their father's benefices (inheritance rights). Gregory VII in 1075 forbid married priests from all ecclesiastical functions. Finally, in 1123, at the First Lateran Council, marriages were pronounced invalid by any who receive Holy Orders.
Why it is wrong:
1) ...because the Church contradicts the clear Word of God, making celibacy mandatory for ministers, whereas God himself allows for married ministers;
2) ...because mandatory celibacy denies that God has gifted married men for ministry, and forbids them from exercising their God-given gifts;
3) ...because by binding the consciences of those who make vows of celibacy, the Church has placed an unmanageable burden upon ministers who ultimately are not so gifted;
4) ...because of the resulting disgraceful behavior of the so-called celibates, who, having their conscience seared, bring judgment upon themselves.
Warnings from Scripture:
"An overseer [bishop], then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach...one who manages his household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity" 1 Tim. 3:2,4
Paul writes: "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly..." Rom. 12:6, and "Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? ... Do we not have a right to take along a believing wife, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas [Peter]?" 1 Cor. 9:1,5
"These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence." Col. 2:23, and "But if they do not have self control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn." 1 Cor. 7:9
"But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth." 1 Tim. 4:1-3
? - Point to Ponder
Forbidden fruit is sweet.
Historically, mandatory celibacy has been a slippery slope leading men and women into all kinds of immorality (prostitution, homosexuality, pedophilia, alcoholism). A study authorized by the Catholic Church found that 10% of U.S. priests ordained in 1970 have been accused of pedophilia.
