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Philosophy/religion

Join our Philosophy forum to discuss religion and spirituality.

Why can't catholic priests marry?

41 replies

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:17

My DP just said a really weird thing to me - "it would be good to go back in time to find out why priests can't get married" Hmm I didn't think it would be neccesary to go back intime to find that answer Grin I daresay someone alive today knows or has written it down!

I am a catholic, he isn't - but i can#t remember, all i can think of is that the priest is "married" to the church. But im not sure thats the reason.

Also, a non catholic preist can marry and have sex but do they consider sex out of wedlock a sin>

OP posts:
LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:19

St Paul

LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:21

Who interestingly was Jewish in background (Saul).

The rest, as they, say, is hysteria liturgical interpretation.

seeker · 27/02/2013 23:23

Because the equal marriage act hasn't been passed yet?

I'll get my coat.

LaurieFairyCake · 27/02/2013 23:24

They used to be married and have illicit sex.

some Eejit then decided because of the shagging that they were to be celibate and serve the church.

As we all know the sex scandals went away Hmm

Then they allowed others to join who are married from other churches. And there's minor discussion about allowing them all to get married - but very minor and given the glacier speed of the Catholics I think it will be 50 years and only after a schism where a 'TRUE Catholic Church' of celibates breaks away.

( no fuckee before marriage is separate)

LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:27

Or, as Father Ted would say, that is an ecumenical matter.

LaurieFairyCake · 27/02/2013 23:27

No fuckee before marriage is a separate issue which all churches consider a sin - apart from the liberal churches like mine who probably think its 'no sex without really caring about someone and don't do harm to others sexually - like fuck someone who's more invested in the relationship than you' - but not fucking people over applies to all relationships and not just the actual 'fucking' ones - Grin

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:28

seeker Grin

What has it to do with St Paul?

OP posts:
Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:28

line runner - that make me laugh - i lvoe father Ted

OP posts:
LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:45

St Paul wrote lots of letters to early Christian communities around the eastern Mediterranean interpreting passages from the (then) fairly recently written gospels, and these letters were in turn interpreted by the church (which was in these early times de facto the catholic church) as meaning that the best leadership came from male teachers who should ideally be celibate.

This is stuff that dates back to the first half of the first millennium AD.

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:53

perhaps DP was right then, you really would have to go back in time for a definitive answer.

OP posts:
Owllady · 27/02/2013 23:55

as someone has mentioned father ted I say to feck with it
beer gurls feck

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:57
Biscuit

Doesn't he say that too?

OP posts:
LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:57

But the chuch turned a blind eye to the celibacy rule through the middle ages, especially with the aristocracy, and some popes.

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:57

ah no

arse Biscuits

OP posts:
LineRunner · 27/02/2013 23:58

Father Jack says drink gurls feck

babyicebean · 27/02/2013 23:58

You can have a priest who is married but he has converted from another religeon, our Catholic priest is married as he converted from CofE.

If you look at canon law 247 it says - By appropriate instruction they are to be prepared to observe celibacy and to learn to hold it in honour as a special gift of God.The students are to be given all the requisite knowledge concerning the duties and burdens which are proper to the sacred ministers of the Church, concealing none of the difficulties of the priestly life.

I have vague memories of it to do with being unable to devote themselves fully to their parish if they have a family to look after.

Lucyellensmum95 · 27/02/2013 23:59

and

OP posts:
Owllady · 28/02/2013 00:00

I know it's father jack

I need a feck emoticon

arse

go on go on go on

my lovely horse

Owllady · 28/02/2013 00:00

i was confusing father jack with my dh i think

LineRunner · 28/02/2013 00:01

My Lovely Horse.

The memories...

Lucyellensmum95 · 28/02/2013 00:02

I.love.my.brick

OP posts:
Owllady · 28/02/2013 00:03

down with sort of thing

Lucyellensmum95 · 28/02/2013 00:04

careful now!

OP posts:
LineRunner · 28/02/2013 00:04

Anyway, then there was the Thornbirds and all hell let loose and that was the Catholic Church gone to rack and ruin.

Eurostar · 28/02/2013 00:05

I was taught (in the Communist system, i.e. religion is the opium of the people) that it was down to the Catholic rulers fearing a loss of assets to children and illegitimate children who would lay claim on property etc rather than it all reverting to the church. Have no sources to back that up.