Married priests in the first centuries practiced celibacy

[PontifexMaximus86]

As much as i am Roman catholic, this reportage is leaning on extreme apologetics on the nature of celibacy in early church. priests were allowed to marry, but would have to abstain from sexual intercourse with their spouse at least 48 hours before celebrating the Mass. The Bishophood in this regard had to be lived Chastly (whether some bishops strayed and had sex once in a while is unquestionable). Hence the Eastern andOrthodox tradition of only appointing Monks ( chaste) to the Episcopate.

[rosannesantos1]

Shame on you! There is no scriptural, theological, or historical evidence that priests were celibate in the first thousand years of Christianity. For over a thousand years after Christ, priests, popes, and bishops married and sired children as evidenced by the fact that many priests, bishops, and popes were sons of priests, bishops and popes. See wikipedia article on sexually active popes, for example.

[TheCatholicCommunity]

Everyone who is against Celibacy of Priests simply doesn't understand. God said it Himself that the unmarried man is anxious about worldly things and that the married man is anxious about worldly things.

All the ex-Catholic priests who left the Church to get married are simply weak and unable to devote their lives to God and to His Church (the people).

A married priests has his interests divided, Jesus Christ never thought about Himself, only of others. The priests must imitate this virtue.

[TheCatholicCommunity]

I absolutely "LOVE" having single priests. I have heard about priests who left the Church to get married, these people are simply weak, they did not receive some new revelation telling the that BEING SINGLE IS WRONG!

No.. being single is "wrong" if you cannot control your sexual desires and needs.

Don't be a priest if you're not willing to give up EVERYTHING and make a FULL SACRIFICE to the Lord.

It said it right there, the "married man" is anxious about worldly things. 1 Corinthians 7:32-35

[TheCatholicCommunity]

1 Corinthians 7:32-35

I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit."

Read the actual scripture for a FULL UNDERSTANDING, this message is not only to PRIESTS, but to EVERYONE;

Priest = Higher Standards.

[WorshipInTruth]

@RIMBR Hmmm, let me quote myself "the catholic church KNOWS that most of the early bishops and Apostles (including Peter) had wives so now it has to try and prove that they did not have sexual contact with their wives in order to support their ridiculous dogma of priestly celibacy."

Perhaps you should work on your reading comprehension because I clearly said that the catholic church knows about Peters wife.

[WorshipInTruth]

The catholic church knows that most of the early bishops and Apostles (including Peter) had wives so now it has to try and prove that they did not have sexual contact with their wives in order to support their ridiculous dogma of priestly celibacy. Does logic not dictate that this nullifies one of the primary reasons for the institution of marriage and its power over fornication in this first place?

[WorshipInTruth]

The catholic church knows nothing about avoiding fornication.

[WorshipInTruth]

"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife." -1st Corinthians 7-1:4

[WorshipInTruth]

Hogwash, I will believe the inspired Scripture of the Apostle Paul, not this loony.

[rosannesantos1]

See wikipedia for its article on the many sexually active priests, bishops, and popes with children over the course of the history of the catholic church. Priests, bishops, and popes married and fathered children for over a thousand years after Christ.

[msoptimism]

Typical of the church from the first to disregard the rights of women.

[eljunior98]

Dats ridiculous Christ didnt have children or marry. There is no evidence to support that since the Roman records even state that he wasnt married.

[JamesJB32]

I am Catholic and have on and off thought about becoming a Priest.

No offense to the Almighty but someday i would like to have children of my own so celibacy will not work for me.

I pray that my decision doesn't offend God :(

[YHWHICHTHYS]

@JamesJB32 Why do you think that your decision will ofend God? If you REALLY want to have children, and thats why you lose your vocation to become a priest, thats not a sin! Its everything fine! I was also scare to offend God in another way, but a priest told me that God is too great to be offended. We are the one who separate us from Him, when we make a sin, we offended ourselves with sin, but not God. If you decide to go married or to be a priest, both decisions isn't a sin.

[alwyn84]

The news report have to make it clear, is it only in Rome, or also in other places. it is not fair to assume what applied in the west (under Rome) also applied in other places.

[superiorgreen]

St. Augustine and Simon Magus. Most Gnostics practiced celibacy and asceticism, on the grounds that the pleasures of the flesh were evil. Catholic = Gnostic Pagan/Pharisaic LAW

Ephesians 5:22-32 IS VERY CLEAR ON THE SUBJECT! ""For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

1 Tim 3:2 "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach...."

[paxcoder]

"But I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I." --I Corinthians 7:8

"I would put no faith in the Gospels unless the authority of the Catholic Church directed me to do so." --St. Augustine

You might also check out his work "On Holy Virginity"

[superiorgreen]

Oh Holy Virginity? In the 6th century AD, the Parthenon was converted into a Christian church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

The word VIRGIN in Hebrew is Bethula that describes a maiden that has not had sex. The Word Alma describes a young maiden. Two distinct words in scripture and the prophecy in Isaiah 7 regarding Jesus. The Greek absorbing Paganistic Gnostic ritual performing "Church" translated the word to Parthenos, to appease the Parthenon Athena Virgin Worshippers.

[paxcoder]

You just randomly pick subjects, do you?

[superiorgreen]

Every single thing I said was 100% true. If you reject TRUTH, you reject GOD!!!

[superiorgreen]

"Now for the matters you wrote about: It is good for a man not to marry. But since there is so much immorality, each man should have his own wife, and each woman her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband..... Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self-control."

This is why pedophelia and homosexuallity is rampant in the Catholic Preisthood according to Paul. He Warns of Satan here

[paxcoder]

He did no such thing. He said IF you lack self control:

"But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt." (verse after the one I quoted)

And also Jesus on the subject:

"and there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that can take, let him take it."

[ndw444]

Hmmm? I'm curious as to your jump in logic here. Are you saying that we are a bunch animals who can't control our sexual desires? That celibacy is to blame for the sex abuse scandal? Strawman argument.

[superiorgreen]

@ndw444 Really? Your argueing with Paul from Corinthians. Are you even a Christian? Sure your a Catholic, they are not the same obviously. You reject Scripture.

I Cor. 7:2 "2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband."

1Cor 7:5 " Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency."

[superiorgreen]

1 Cor 7:9 "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."

1 Cor 7:25 "Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful."

1Cor 7:28 "But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned....."

[superiorgreen]

1Cor 7:36 "But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry."

Now go confess you reject Pauls Epistle to The Corinthians over your own pride and belief your stronger than Sin or Satan. Pride is a sin, right?

[ndw444]

Bwahahahahahahahahaha...that's your best argument. I'm just amazed how you can blow a scripture reading right out of context.

[superiorgreen]

Really, what is the correct context? ! Corinthians 7 is about marriage, sex, and abstinance. I am now going to come straight out and say your about as Christian as Mohammed.. No need to reply, There is no argueing with a sleeper. Read your bible or burn in a lake.

[ndw444]

Which goes to show you you are unwilling to engage in conversation nor willing to debate.

[superiorgreen]

"Awake O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light" Eph 5:14 You want to debate the Living Word of GOD? It needs no interpretation to those filled with the Understanding and Wisdom of The Holy Spirit. Read Matt 23 and compare to the Catholic Church. Catholic is Talmudic Babylonian Legalism, closer to Jewish or Muslim than Christian. Your saved by religiously legal works, dead men, statues, temple & altar, and rituals with priests as liason between you and Christ.

[ndw444]

Again,

Why are you posting on here? This is a Catholic thread. You haven't answered that question yet. I have to laugh at your interpretation on Matthew 23. I can't keep track of the countless amount of times I've seen the misapplication of the Catholic to the Pharisees and Scribes, if I did I'd be a millionare.

"Catholic is Talmudic Babylonian Legalism"

Really? Back it up. All you did was qoute scripture and that's all you ever do. Do you ever answer questions people give you?

[superiorgreen]

You have a high priest, Caiphas the Pope. Jesus was warned you of fathers in Matt 23:8 "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 9And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have one Teacher, the Christ.The greatest among you will be your servant. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted." Pope is going to hell

[ndw444]

Do you not call your dad your father? Do you not call your teacher a teacher? Pope is going to hell? nonsense.

[superiorgreen]

In Context Satan Boy. "Father" as in spiritual leader, with a Capital "F", a title. Your argueing with Jesus himself! The scripture is 100% clear. There is no interpretation in the scripture I posted. You really are unable to read it exactly as it says? You are far more decieved that I even thought was possible. Your spinning in circles, vague and full of inconsistent holes, definitely not The Spirit.

[ndw444]

This is the best you can come up with? Seriously, you've lost your credibility with me as far as I'm concerned. I'm done with this conversation. Good bye brother in Christ.

[eljunior98]

that is a lie. Christ condemn a man calling a another Father in the since that that man would be given the place of God(the Father) not that its a sin to call a another man father. Christ calls Abraham "Father Abraham." In St Paul's letter to the Corinthians he calls himself a "father in the faith to the people" just like priest in the RCC are and from here priest got the title father.

[superiorgreen]

Hosea 4:6 Describes this situation, your lack of understanding, and who is at fault, and the consequences.

"my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God,  I also will ignore your children. "

Your Church charged with spreading Knowledge of GOD to ALL man has secrets and preaches and writes in an ancient language foreign to man. Why?

[eljunior98]

What foreign land is that? The gospels were written originally in Aramaic while the other NT sources were written in ancient Greek. Dat RCC translated the gospels first into Greek and then into the Vulgate Latin which was the main language of the Roman Empire.

[pl1778]

For anyone who isn't Catholic the Pope is going to Hell, unless the Father is merciful to him of course, since HE controls everything, not Rome.

[pl1778]

Actually this isn't a Catholic thread, nor is it even a thread. This is a private comment board on YOUTUBE, which is NOT a religious site by any means. I just love how Catholics always seem to manage taking things and turning them into their own instruments.

[pl1778]

@superiorgreen YOU ARE RIGHT! ndw444 doesn't know a thing IT is talking about.

[pl1778]

@pl1778 This is the reason why I'm glad I'm an Orthodox Christian. I can simply ignore Catholics, and live my life in peace!

[4everpraisethelord]

@pl1778 absolutely brother1

[4everpraisethelord]

@pl1778 me too we just got lucky!

[pl1778]

@4everpraisethelord Thank you so much for the positive comments. I'm generally cyberbullied by people so the kind words are most welcome! Again, thank you so very much!

[ndw444]

Once again, this doesn't in any way support the argument that priests should be married. I can see that once again we are cherry picking scripture as usual. Again, why are you even posting on a predominantly Catholic thread here, when you know full well your rediculous assertions are going to get refuted. Reread Matthew 19 sir/mam.

By the way, St. John the Evangelist was celibate as well. Does that make him a pedophile too?

[superiorgreen]

Matt 19:4-6 Your lack of understanding is much deeper than I thought. You really are led astray arent you. "Haven't you read," he (jesus) replied, "that at the beginning the Creator 'made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh? So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate." The Pope ordered priests must be celebate, not the Bible.

[ndw444]

The Pope's got the authority to bind and loose. Look at Matthew 16 if you don't believe me. Also, have you never read Matthew 19:11 "But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this precept, but only those to whom it is given."

[superiorgreen]

Men gave it to him.

[ndw444]

Christ gave it to him,

Matthew 16:19 And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose upon earth, it shall be loosed also in heaven.

[superiorgreen]

That says Christ chose Ratzinger the Nazi Youth Pedophile Coverup Artist?

[ndw444]

If you believe that sensless crap then you are in a major delusion! Seriously, you believe that nonsense that the Pope is a Nazi? Using your logic we shouldn't be sitting on a table with a bunch of sinners on it and you just remember that.

[superiorgreen]

WAS when he was a boy. Ask him he admits it, though downplays his love for the movement. You do not even know who you chose as your Babylonian high priest? Has Ratzinger confessed one unto another regarding his role since the 1970's in the Pedophile coverup and continued scandal? If he confessed openly, 100% repentant, how come you are unaware? Your whore does not follow its own babylonian rituals. Who does Ratzinger confess his sins to? You? Does he have a preeminent place with Jesus?

[ndw444]

Provide the evidence that Ratzinger is a Nazi when he was a boy, then I'll believe you. And the fact that you call the Catholic Church a whore is insulting to our Lord. Ratzinger confesses his sins to whatever confessor he wants. Even he has to confess his sins.

[ndw444]

By the way, what does Ratzinger's involvment in the Nazi Youth have anytihing to do with priestly celibacy? You love to dodge ball a lot and cherry pick subjects don't you.

[superiorgreen]

By their fruits you shall know them. In 1937 Ratzingers father retired and the family moved to Traunstein, a Catholic town in Bavaria. He joined the Hitler Youth aged 14, shortly after membership was made compulsory in 1941.Two years later Ratzinger was enrolled in an anti-aircraft unit that protected a BMW factory making aircraft engines. The workforce included slaves from Dachau concentration camp. Later sent to Hungary, where he set up tank traps and saw Jews being herded to death camps.

[ndw444]

Ratzinger had no choice, he was forced into it. And another thing, just because he was in Hitler's youth program, does not make him a Nazi. You must be reading way to many Jack Chick tracks.

[superiorgreen]

Is that what that says? Your reaching for straws. Your church looks nothing like the churches in acts, it looks just like Caiaphas' priesthood, Nebucadnezzar's court, and Mohammeds Laws to prevent sin. Your priests are like the Muslim that veils his wife to run from sin, believing that will cure the spirit within that came from Adam. Original Sin. If I am 100% saved by Christ dying on the cross, why do I need a large gold altar and a priest? Can the church save my soul? Are you saved right now?

[ndw444]

What a strawman argument!

Heirarchically structured: see Mt 18:18; Mk 3:14; 1 Cor 12:28-30; 1 Thess 5:12-13

catholicity of the church: see Mt 10:5-6; 13:31-32; 21:43 28:16-20; Lk 21:24; Jn 11:49-53; Jn 17:21

[superiorgreen]

Matt 18:18 "Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." That is proof of a heirarchy amongst the believers? Proof the pope is the boss? Your making this up. Revelation 22:18.

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.

[superiorgreen]

"Let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober".

Mark 3:14-(19) Judas Iscariot has preeminence in Heaven? Every piece scripture you gave to back your LIE has hole a truck could drive through. I am Chosen by Christ, that means saved or not saved, you can't be more saved.

1Cor 12:27-31 None of them has any higher status with Jesus than another, they are each chosen for a specific task. They are none more saved.

1 Thes 5:12-13 Love and respect church workers, heirarchy?

[ndw444]

1 Thes 5:12-13

The key words are "respect those who labour among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you". The positions they hold are not honours; they are positions of ministry or service.

[superiorgreen]

Considering yourself preeminent, first in line, is evil in Pauls eyes

3 John 1:9 "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. 10So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church." Catholics do not accept other Christians in their secret inner rituals and masses, as Diotrephes

[ndw444]

1 Cor 12:27-31

Paul is talking about the different parts of the body by applying it to the Church where variety of functions does not detract from unity. It would be a serious mistake not to recognize in the visible structure of the Church, which is so multifacted, the fact that the Church found by Christ is ONE, visible at the same time as it is spirutual. Please read Vatican II's Lumen Gentium section 8.

[superiorgreen]

"Please read Vatican II's Lumen Gentium section 8." right after I read the Koran and The Bagavad Gita. Your holy vatican writings are not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a matter of fact your Vatican rants contradict clear biblical scripture. Why? Why is there a need to write more about Jesus and GOD, the bible is all you need, the rest is added to. Are you to add to or change the gospel? Is there more that you need to know that GOD did not give you? Where is this "Lumen Gentium" in the Bible?

[ndw444]

There's a reason why we have the Catechism. It interprets the Bible for us. Documents like Lumen Gentium lead us to a deeper understanding of Jesus himself. You should try sometime. You think the Bible just fell out of the sky? Seriously, use some logic.

[eljunior98]

Its funny u said the Bible is all we need b/c that was not taught by Christ b/c Christ never wrote anything. If that is the case what was needed prior to the RCC councils that determined which books were to go into the NT and which would not. Oral Tradition is needed also b/c that is what the RCC bishops used to determine what was going to go into the NT. Read a history book.

[ndw444]

Mark 3:14

No! Judas Iscariot chose his own destruction and destiny which was the path of evil and that which led to hell.

And another thing, Jesus choses them for a mission he will give them later (6:6-13)) and to enable them to perform this mission he gives them part of his power.

Verse 14 is the establishment of the College of Apostles. Read Lumen Gentium sections 19-20.

[ndw444]

And another thing, Matthias was later chosen to succeed Judas. The very designation of them as the Twelve shows that they form a well-defined and complete group; therefore, after Judas' death Matthias is elected to take his place. (Acts 1:15-26).

[ndw444]

Nope, I'm afraid I'm not making any of this up. Matthew 18:18 literally means that the heirarchy of the Church has the authority to bind and loose.

[superiorgreen]

Your either decieved or a LIAR. It does not say that in Matt 18:18, SATAN!!! Your making up your own gospel that differs from Jesus message. Sickening! It makes no mention of one saved Christian having preeminence over another in Matt 18:18. Your heading straight for the lake of fire fool.

[pl1778]

This is a little severe, calling someone Satan is a bit unfair, even if they are totally delusional.

[superiorgreen]

The bible is clear on the subject, you don't know that? Oh, your following man not scripture.

[pl1778]

@superiorgreen Your statement is the wisest ever made about the Roman Catholic Church. Thank you for saying this!

[ndw444]

If you don't like what we are saying on this thread why even bother posting? You do realize that this is a Catholic thread.

[baelsharon]

Catholics believe their Church is the bride and Jesus is the Bridegroom, its in their Bible. SO their priests essentially marry their church and not a human wife. I think the Catholics have it hard because their religion is so misunderstood and people outside their church act as if they are the authority on Catholicsm, they don't ask them directly. In my case (Jew) they look to Judaism on advice on Judaism.

[ndw444]

Thank you!

[superiorgreen]

Your welcome, Seek Jesus Christ alone. let no man decieve you.

[ndw444]

I wasn't saying thank you to you dummy, I was saying that to my Jewish friend on here.

[superiorgreen]

I rest my case. Just like your Muslim friends, Talmudic Babylonian Judaic Priesthood and Ritualistic Legalism as a means to Salvation. Have you forgotten who crucified your Lord and who will bring the destruction in Revelation 11? Christ died in vain for your Jewish buddy, did he accept the gift GOD gave him? Your Jewish friend rejects the Messiah, and still awaits a militant Maccabean type savior. Until the Jews accept Jesus as their Messiah, they are divorced from GOD. Jer 3. Babylon captivity

[ndw444]

"Have you forgotten who crucified your Lord and who will bring the destruction in Revelation 11?"

NO. Fact is we all crucified our Lord and are all responsible for Christ's death. Pure and simple.

[superiorgreen]

Please give scriptural reference to confirm. It is pure and simple right?

Mark 3:6 "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him."

John 11:47 "Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: ........(53)Then from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death."

[superiorgreen]

The "ROMAN" Catholic Church. MATT 16:11-12 Leaven of the Pharisee Warning from Jesus. Jesus knew. The High Priest Caiaphas was a Sadducee appointed by the Roman Governor Valerius Gratus, who was later replaced by Pontius Pilate. After the occupation of Judea in 63 BC, the Roman Empire controlled all officials of the province. Members of the Sanhedrin Priesthood were subject to the approval of and removal by Rome, and were selected for their expected loyalty to the Roman occupiers.

[ndw444]

I don't see how Matthew 16:11-12 is a referrence to the Catholic Church.

[superiorgreen]

Awaken o sleeper!