Saturday, May 18, 2013

Why it is ok for Catholic priests to marry!

Pope Francis suggested in an interview last year that the Catholic Church's rule that priests be celibate "can change" and admitted he was tempted by a woman as a young seminarian. (Read | Pope Francis spoke of being 'dazzled' by girl, possible change of celibacy Rule)

In this post I would like to talk about why I think it is ok for priests, bishops and deacons to marry. 

Paul said: Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. (1 Corinthians 7:2) For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. (1 Corinthians 7:7-9) 

Paul tells us that God gives few people the gift and anointing to be celibate. He instructed the remaining who did not have this gift to be marry rather than burn with passion. 

Paul gave the qualifications of church leaders in his letter to Timothy. He said: This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; (1 Timothy 3:1-7) 

Likewise must the deacons be grave, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. (1 Timothy 3:8-12) 

In his letter to Titus, Paul said: For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee: If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. (Titus 1:5-9) 

Based on these scriptures, I believe priests, bishops and deacons should be given the free-will to marry or not to marry. They should also meet the qualifications listed in 1 Timothy 3:1-12 and Titus 1:5-9

Paul warned Timothy and I believe, it is safe to take this as a warning to us as well: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

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