by Lily A. Thorns

Created on: June 28, 2007

Married priests in the Roman Catholic church? NO! They should not be permitted to marry. But why? For the answer I will direct you to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)[1], article 1579 which reads:

1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven."[2] Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord,"[3] they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.

What is being said here, is that the priest is married to the church. The priest is to serve God and the community without having to choose between the Church and his wife or children. That is a divided heart. The Sacrament of Holy Orders leaves an indelible mark on the soul, 'once a priest, always a priest'. Before making such an awesome commitment, a man receives extensive theological and spiritual training and guidance. He knows celibacy is a requirement; he is happy to sacrifice marriage vows to a woman in favor of marriage vows made to God and His Holy Catholic Church. The two Sacramental vows, Matrimony and Holy Orders are truly incompatible.

Above, in the excerpt from the CCC, there are two bible passages cited, where we find there is indeed a biblical foundation for celibacy. The first is from Matthew who tells us that some men renounce marriage for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. A priest willingly and joyfully chooses the life of celibacy. It is a beautiful sacrifice. He puts his love of God, the love the Catholic Church, and the love of his fellow man above the comforts and companionship of a wife. In Corinthians, we learn that an unmarried man can focus on the kingdom of God, whereas a married man must focus on more worldly issues like providing for his family, and pleasing his wife. The bible explains quite clearly that marriage divides a man's heart. Priests cannot be divided, they are called to give their hearts entirely to the service of God and men.

That is not to say there are no married priests because there are. Generally, these priests are the men who were married ministers in another Christian church, Episcopalian for example, and converted to Catholicism. The Catholic church would

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