Catholic Priests
It is time for the Catholic Church to allow their priests to marry. The Catholic Church forbids their priests to marry in contradiction to the clear teaching of scripture. Nowhere in the Bible can it be found that a minister is forbidden to marry. The requirement for Catholic priests to remain single is clearly a tradition that was started by man.
There are many churches that follow traditions that the Bible does not teach. Jesus warned about traditions usurping the word of God.
- Mat 15:2 – "Why do your disciples disobey our age-old traditions?" they demanded. "They ignore our tradition of ceremonial hand washing before they eat."
- Mat 15:3 – Jesus replied, "And why do you, by your traditions, violate the direct commandments of God?"
Jesus, while teaching His disciples, told them some are given the gift of marriage and others the gift of celibacy. Jesus addressed every issue head on. If He wanted His disciples to remain unmarried, He would have said so right at that moment.
- Mat 19:11 – "Not everyone can accept this statement," Jesus said. "Only those whom God helps."
- Mat 19:12 – "Some are born as eunuchs, some have been made that way by others, and some choose not to marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let anyone who can, accept this statement."
Apostle Paul desired men and women to be single so that they may serve Christ freely, unencumbered by family duties. Yet Paul recognized this was not always possible. He also spoke in the light of a present persecution that was severe. He did not want men and women to have to face death with their families. Paul further qualified his comments by stating that this was his opinion. The church, however, decided to make it both tradition and law for priests to remain single.
- 1Co 7:6 – This is only my suggestion. It's not meant to be an absolute rule.
- 1Co 7:7 – I wish everyone could get along without marrying, just as I do. But we are not all the same. God gives some the gift of marriage, and to others he gives the gift of singleness.
- 1Co 7:26 – Because of the present crisis, I think it is best to remain just as you are.
Paul warned about teachings that forbid marriage.
- 1Ti 4:3 – forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
In case there are some out their who believe these teachings relate only to those who are not in ministry, let me help qualify that it is for all people whether in ministry or not.
- 1Co 9:5 – Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas (Peter)?
In this instance, we have a startling fact that Apostle Peter had a believing wife. If Catholics are against marriage for the clergy, don't they realize that the head of their church had a wife? Why did other apostles and co-laborers in the gospel also have wives?
It is another interesting fact that apostle Paul tells the workers, pastors, bishops and elders to be the husband of one wife. He must be someone who can manage His own household, meaning His children. If marriage is forbidden, then why make such a statement?
- 1Ti 3:1 – This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.
- 1Ti 3:2 – A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
- 1Ti 3:3 – not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous;
- 1Ti 3:4 – one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence
- 1Ti 3:5 – (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
This scripture has been used by Catholics to keep women out of the priesthood. It has also been used to keep women out of priests' lives. Some of these priests, however, may have the gift of marriage. Yet, they are forbidden to marry by the vows of the priesthood.
The church is losing ground to a powerful and perverse immorality, the sexual abuse of children. This abuse is because the legitimate sexual expression of men is denied them. Paul says, "The marriage bed is undefiled." God created sex for love, for the enjoyment of our love, for intimacy and for procreation. We are causing men to be loved-starved, banishing them to a life of loneliness or perversion. It is an unscriptural position.
Much is touted about the church's unity of doctrine as strength. The problem is unity that is forced is not unity, but a form of human rights abuse.
While child abuse takes the spotlight and rightly so, there is probably just as much homosexuality and sex outside of marriage in the church. In this sexually charged society, it is wise for us to have a Godly outlet for our sexuality.
The church must never conform to culture, for its purpose is a moral conscience in culture. It is the voice of God's word bringing legitimacy to human needs as prescribed by God. The church's primary purpose is to bring people to God in Spirit and in truth. Perhaps the final truth to bring closure to this matter might be this powerful scripture:
- 1Co 7:8 – But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is good for them if they remain even as I am;
- 1Co 7:9 – but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.
Let us hear from you. We welcome your feedback on these vital issues.
