Any comment on Celibacy?

Hello, aileen! This has been a big issue with the Catholic priests. As you may be aware there are some men who leave priesthood or the seminary because of this. I personally know someone who was not able to marry the woman he loves because he took the vow of celibacy while he was in the seminary. My religion teacher used to say that the Catholics have 3 ways of life to choose from: married life, single blessedness or the religious life. She also said that priests/nuns are not allowed to marry because they can only serve one.

As far as the bible says, it is to be entirely voluntary.. Saul, later called Paul, was not married and said it was the best way to be if you really wanted to devote your life to working for the Lord.. Not that one cannot serve him and be married, he said, but there is less distraction, or obligation if not married, etc.. but he ended with, it's up to each one.. :))

Interesting question. No where in the bible does it say that a church leader should be celibate. It is a man made requirement. I wonder when it was introduced too. Don't the Catholics consider Peter to be their first pope? Yet the Bible clearly says that Peter was married.

I am actually catholic and feel that it is a good thing for a priest not to be married as he can give himself completely to the church and it's congregation without having to put his family aside at all. Priests are considered married to the church as are nuns married to the church,. That is their choice and each to their own beliefs.

i once read an anecdote about a deacon in a monastery. his work in the monastery is to transcribe the contents of the bible word for word. one day he was asked by a theology student if he, in his work, did not commit any error and where in the bible does the word celibacy appeared. the deacon emphatically replied that he is very diligent, meticulous in his work and did not commit a single mistake in his transcription work. as to the querry on celibacy he went upstair to look into the original bible on celibacy. hours have passed and the deacon did not come down and the student was anxious and so he went upstair to look for the deacon. the student saw him clutching the old bible and was crying and so he asked him what's the matter and why is he crying. the deacon in between sobs answered, "its celibrate, its celibrate!" and continued with his cry. i hope my friend you get the punchline of the humor...

If the Church would let Priests marry, do you think they still diddle little boys? If the church would let women be priests do you think they would diddle little girls? The priests would like to be allowed to marry, and have a family. I feel sorry for them, even if they do diddle little boys. The Pope claims to be infallible! Thats so laughable its almost funny. I'm wondering if the Pope also diddles little boys?

I guess the catholic priest being celibate is the most beautiful vow they are doing, being married to the church is one of the highest sacrifice a man or a woman gifts to God. I will not question it but rather honor them highly and it shows the uniqueness of this faith, all other faith to me are protestant.

I admire the person who can take and keep a vow of celebacy as a sacrifice to their faith. I don't think it should be required, however, even for priests. I understand the thinking behind the requirement. St Paul said several times it is better that a Christian not be married, due to the distractions marriage provides. (Corin. 7:25-35). I think a priest should be able to make the decision for himself, like Protestant ministers do.