-For centuries, the Church of Rome has enforced strict regulations regarding the marriage of clergymen. Bishops and priests have been required to remain in an unmarried state as long as they practice their profession. However, we must ask whether this custom has any grounding in solid biblical or ethical principles? Is it lawful for any church government to establish as a discipline the prohibition of ministers from having marital relationships? This Roman Catholic practice is here weighed against the bar of Scripture and the historical record.
- Consider This Quotation From The Roman Catholic Catechism:
-"In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry." (CCC, 1580).
Pope Paul VI, In His Decree Presbyterorum Ordinis, On The Ministry And Life Of Priests,
Says That The Celibate Life Is:
-"...not demanded by the very nature of the priesthood, as is apparent from the practice of the early Church and from the traditions of the Eastern Churches, where, besides those who with all the bishops, by a gift of grace, choose to observe celibacy, there are also married priests of highest merit. This holy synod, while it commends ecclesiastical celibacy, in no way intends to alter that different discipline which legitimately flourishes in the Eastern Churches. It permanently exhorts all those who have received the priesthood and marriage to persevere in their holy vocation so that they may fully and generously continue to expend themselves for the sake of the flock commended to them."
- Consider These Words From The New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia On The First Lateran Council:
-"Canons 3 and 11 forbid priests, deacons, subdeacons, and monks to marry or to have concubines; it is also forbidden them to keep in their houses any women other than those sanctioned by the ancient canons. Marriages of clerics are null pleno jure, and those who have contracted them are subject to penance."
-In 1079 AD, celibacy was first enforced for priests and bishops by Pope Gregory VII. Previously, they were permitted to marry.
- Apostolic Teaching Permits Ministers To Have Spouses:
-The New Testament teaches that a bishop (also known as an "elder" or "overseer") can be married and have children (1 Timothy 3:1-5; Titus 1:5-9). In fact, how a man raises his family shows whether he can handle a position of authority in the church. Clergymen at least have the right to make that decision for themselves without being required to give up their ministerial position.
- Examples Of Married Church Leaders In The New Testament:
-The Apostle Peter was married (Matthew 8:14). This is significant because the Roman Catholic Church claims that Peter was its first pope. In addition, the Apostle Paul said that the other apostles (including Peter) and all brethren in the Lord have the right to marriage (1 Corinthians 9:5). The Bible routinely speaks positively of that ordinance (Genesis 2:18). Sex within the confines of marriage does not make one unfit to uphold a position of leadership in the church.
-The Holy Spirit warns that "forbidding to marry" and "commanding to abstain from meats" are "doctrines of demons" (1 Timothy 4:1-4). Not only does the Roman Catholic Church forbid leaders from marriage, but it also teaches adherents to abstain from meats for long periods of time such as Lent. In fact, the Church of Rome used to forbid adherents from eating meat every Friday. However, no elder in the church has any authority to impose these kinds of restrictions on the people of God. Rome has therefore clearly been shown to be in error. These kind of things happen when leaders are not held accountable for their actions.
-Biblical texts such as Matthew 19:11–12 commend celibacy as a gift, not a requirement. Jesus affirms that some may choose celibacy “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven,” but He also makes clear that “not everyone can accept this word.” This passage celebrates spiritual discipline, not institutional exclusion.
-Nowhere in Scripture is there a mandate that ministry must be reserved for the celibate. Instead, the Bible consistently upholds marriage as honorable and godly. The Apostle Paul affirms in 1 Corinthians 7 that both marriage and singleness are gifts from God.
-To force a man to choose between being a minister and becoming a husband and father is not only arbitrary, but cruel. It denies the fullness of his calling and the richness of his humanity. A man who can nurture a family has already demonstrated the capacity to shepherd the people of God with love, patience, and responsibility.
-Let us not confuse tradition with truth. Celibacy should be honored, but never imposed. The church thrives when its leaders reflect the diversity of God’s call, some single, some married, all devoted. It is time for the Roman Catholic Church to embrace a more compassionate and biblically faithful vision of ministry.
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