Which New
Testament writer recommends celibacy for full-time clergy?
a.
Paul
b.
Luke
c.
Mark
d.
John
THE
ANSWER IS….. A…..St. Paul, who was celibate himself (1 Cor 7:8), recommended
celibacy for full-time clergy (1 Cor 7:32-35)
Celibacy was
nothing new. Old Testament prophets such as Elijah and Jeremiah chose to live
this way for God. So did John the Baptist.
For info on celibacy of the clergy, see:
http://www.catholiceducation.org/articles/apologetics/ap0121.html
http://www.ewtn.com/expert/answers/celibacy_of_priests.htm
http://www.canapologetics.net/html/celibacy.html
http://www.catholicculture.org/docs/most/getwork.cfm?worknum=36
http://www.catholicherald.com/saunders/04ws/ws040527.htm
(Celibacy in the Priesthood)
http://www.catholic.com/library/Celibacy_and_the_Priesthood.asp
(Celibacy & Priesthood Defended)
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm
(History of Clerical Celibacy)
The Spanish Council
of Elvira, held between 295 A.D. and 302 A.D., dictates
celibacy for the three higher orders of the clergy: bishops, priests, and
deacons. (See Catholic Encyclopedia)
St.
Augustine supported celibacy
for priests in his writings. So did Church Fathers such as St. Cyril and St.
Jerome.
Because St.
Paul does not say celibacy is an absolute necessity (although
clearly he does not envision a Church without it), the Catholic Church has
allowed some married men (specifically some Protestant ministers that converted
to Catholicism) in special cases to be ordained priests. Of course, they must
promise not to marry again, even if their wife dies.
Deacons in the Catholic Church may also be married.
Deacons’ vows also involve a promise not to remarry.
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