Questions tagged [celibacy]
The state of being unmarried and/or sexually abstinent, for religious reasons
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When did the prohibition of marriage for priests in the Catholic church originate?
The Bible mentions that one of the miracles Jesus performed was the healing of Peter's mother-in-law. This makes it quite clear that Peter himself was married, and Peter is the considered the first ...
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What is the argument against the imposition of clerical celibacy as practiced in the Roman Catholic Church?
The Roman Catholic Church requires its priests to practice celibacy. This has not always been the case, though. In fact, it was not instituted until the 11th century.
Protestant churches have no ...
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In the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, if a man becomes a widower, can he become a priest?
If a husband man loses his wife to death, is it possible for him to become a Catholic priest in the Latin Rite. What about any children of this marriage union?
Can this man now become a priest in the ...
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How do Catholic Proponents of Priestly Celibacy Interpret Peter having a wife?
Catholics would say that Peter (by virtue of being first Pope) is a Bishop. How would such Catholics (though not all Catholics hold to this view) that say Priests must be unmarried and celibate ...
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Do the Eastern Orthodox think the state of virginity is more meritorious than marriage?
Do the Eastern Orthodox think the state of virginity is superior and more meritorious to the state of marriage? If so, what modern Eastern Orthodox theologians support this view?
cf. Is virginity ...
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Last married pope?
Catholics regard Peter as the first pope. In the gospel we learn that Peter's mother-in-law was healed, thus Peter was married. On the other hand, today the popes are never married and married men ...
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What is the scriptural basis for clerical celibacy?
In the Catholic Church, priests are required to stay celibate. (As far as I know, protestant priests that convert to Catholicism are allowed an exception -- they can become Catholic priests even if ...
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Would God allow all of humanity to be celibate?
God created the world with a process that involves sexuality to bring more people to existence to serve him. It doesn’t seem sustainable; if everyone achieved the degree of spirituality that the ...
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Is celibacy essential to the Catholic priesthood?
Question: What are the theological (not practical) reasons for Catholic priests being celibate? In other words, is celibacy (or at least perpetual continence) essential to the Catholic priesthood?
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Are there examples of "successful" celibate homosexuals, according to the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church puts forward to the laity the example of many many saints, in their different dimensions (charity, chastity, prayer, sacrifice, etc), as inspiration to our own lives and challenges....
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Could a cardinal or pope have children if they are a widower?
Could it be possible for a cardinal,or even the pope to have children,if he had been married previously,and then taken up holy orders after being widowed?
This would seem to fulfil the requirements ...
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Married man becoming Latin Rite Catholic priest if giving up sex?
This article (A Brief History of Celibacy in the Catholic Church) states:
"In the Latin Church, one may be a married priest if one is a life-long Catholic but promises never again to have sexual ...
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Did the Church Fathers advocate celibacy?
What is an overview of the Church Fathers' views on celibacy? Did they see celibacy as a higher or more spiritual calling than marriage? Did they see marriage as incompatible with a spiritual life? ...
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How do Roman Catholics interpret 1 Timothy 4:3
In it's context in the NRSVCE (including section title):
False Asceticism
4 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will renounce the faith by paying attention to deceitful spirits and ...
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What is the origin and basis for the Catholic teaching regarding Mary's vow of celibacy prior to her betrothal?
In the answers to this question it is asserted that Mary had taken a vow of celibacy prior to her betrothal to Joseph. Thus, Joseph already knew that he and Mary would never have marital relations ...
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