People will tell you that celibacy has no basis in the Bible whatsoever, quoting the verse that says that Christians are called to “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28).
Meanwhile, they overlook the passages in the Bible that support the celibate life. Because 1Corinthians, reminds us about what Paul said, “spare you that. . . . The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided” (7:27-34).
Perhaps the most effective belief for the scriptural support of celibacy is that Jesus Christ Himself practiced it! The discipline of celibacy among priests is one of the characteristics marks of the Roman Catholic tradition. Therefore, anyone that chooses to become a priest accepts the discipline. Because, It is an act of self-sacrifice which a Catholic priest is called upon to make.
It is actually done based on the Catholic Church’s code of Canon Law. Because Jesus Himself talks of celibacy in Matthew 19:11-12: “Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of God”
In a society that is wholly saturated with sex, celibate priests are living proof that sexual urges can be controlled and channeled in a positive way.
The holiness of marriage is not honored if it is treated simply as an outlet for sexual impulses. Rather, we as Christians are called to understand marriage as inviolable commitment of a husband and wife to cherish and honor each other.
A priest offers up the same commitment of affection to the Church, a bond that can’t be broken which is treated with a similar gravity and respect as in marriage. Once a priest has taken a vow of chastity he can never have sex with anyone. And besides Jesus said in the Bible that everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands because of my name is going to receive 100 times more, and he will inherit eternal life.” Which means, if you want to teach the word of GOD, you must leave what you have besides GOD.
In everything, Catholic priests are married to the church which means that the church is their bride.
Whoever that has the calling to become a priest is aware of the vocation that they’re called to.
Therefore, by becoming a priest you now have an obligation to the church, because that is your vocation.
The actual image used to illustrate priesthood is that of Marriage.
Because, as marriage is the total gift of self to another, so as priesthood requires the total gift of self to the Church.
Do not forget that as Priesthood is a vocation and a holy sacramental. So is marriage a vocation and also a holy sacramental. The priest’s first duty is to his flock, while a husband’s first duty is to his wife.
As such, the Priesthood is a holy sacramental, it is something set apart from the rest of the world. Just as Christ gave up his life for His bride, the Church. So must a priest offer up his life for the good of Christ’s people.
And according to Catholic dogma, a man has many responsibilities to his wife and children which being a priest could get in the way of. Likewise, being a priest has several responsibilities that his wife and children could get in the way of his priesthood.
Men who are called to be priests are not meant to be married. If you decide to be a priest it Should not be just a job, it should be your whole lifestyle to serve God in this special way.
If you actually wish to have a wife and kids, GUESS WHAT? Don’t be a priest. Being a priest doesn’t make you look better in God’s eyes if that’s what you’re worried about.
I think God simply wants you to be good at what you are doing and have Joy in it. Sorry if I’m ignorant, but this is what I believe.
According to the Cannon Law by the Church. It is important to note that under some circumstances, men who are already married or who were formerly married can be ordained. It is difficult and unusual that married men have to become deacons, but in certain Rites it is allowed in very limited circumstances. To my understanding , however, none of those men have ever been elevated to the rank of Bishop (probably because of the reasons noted above).
In the Church there are two main vocations: to answer the call to join the Priesthood, and to marry and start a family as I have stated earlier.
The position of the Church is that if you have the urge to marry, it means that God is taking away from priesthood. So the two vocations are separate.
It is up to the individual to discern his or her vocation.
