Clerical Celibacy

Hello again TrueScotsman, I will be arguing that priestly celibacy as a disciplinary action is both beneficial for one's spritual progress, and it's implementation as a *disciplinary* measure is consistent with the bible. Since you are christian,I will also put forward some arguments about the special role that priests have in today's society, and how marriage would prevent them from fully playing that role. 1.Priests must inspire the laity to look beyond base urges and into the spiritual In a society that is completely saturated with unrestricted sex today, celibate priests are living proof that sexual urges can be controlled and channeled in a positive way.Priests have a responsibility to show others that humans are much more that animals following base impulses to procreate, and should inspire people to live morally upright lives.The priest is a representative of Christ, and must seek to imitate him in every way.Jesus was a man who lived His life in perfect chastity and dedication to God.A disciplinary decision to enforce this cannot be wrong. The priest is also someone who is technically married to the church, and a celibate priest would be the perfect example for marital fidelity.Christians are called to understand marriage as the inviolable commitment of a husband and wife to love and honor one another. A priest offers up a similar commitment of love to the Church, a bond that cannot be broken and that is treated with the same gravity and respect as in marriage. Just as marriage is the total gift of self to another, the priesthood requires the total gift of self to the Church. A priest's first duty is to his flock, while a husband's first duty is to his wife. Obviously, these two roles will often conflict, as St. Paul noted and as many married priests will tell you. A celibate priest is able to give his undivided attention to his parishioners without the added responsibility of caring for his own family. They are able to pick up and go whenever necessary, whether this involves moving to a new parish or responding to a late-night crisis. Celibate priests are better able to respond to these frequent changes and demands on their time and attention. This is especially true in the case of Catholic church which has churches in many countries. 2.Clerical celibacy is both historically and biblically supported. The Catholic church would be wrong if it upheld celibacy as an *absolute* necessity for priesthood and if it said that clerical celibacy was a rule laid down by Christ. But it does *none* of these things.It merely has made celibacy a requirement due to the overwhelming preference shown for celibacy in the bible, as well as a long and rich apostolic tradition of celibacy right from the very beginning . Jesus Himself speaks 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. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." Again, the emphasis is on the special nature of celibacy, one for which not all men are suited, but one that nevertheless gives glory to "the kingdom of God." St.Paul, whom many will quote to support marriage of priests, himself was celibate, and was clearly for clerical celibacy. "Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. . . . Those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would 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" 1Cor7:27-34. Even when marriage was seemingly supported in the Bible, it was made clear that it was only as an *indulgence* and *tolerated* when there was no other choice.Historically, most of the early apostles were celibate, as were the desert fathers and the first saints of the church including St. Augustine, St. Cyril, and St. Jerome. Also, most decisions taken by the church are taken after rigorous discussion in ecumenical councils, unless there was overwhelming support for clerical celibacy it could never have become dogma.The earliest legislation passed in the Spanish Council of Elvira (between 295 and 302) and the First Council of Aries (314), a kind of general council of the West, both talk of clerical celibacy not as introducing a new rule but rather maintaining a previously established tradition. Perhaps the best support for celibacy comes from the fact that Jesus himself followed it! There is a near universal support for the spiritual benefits of celibacy.It is recommended and required by scriptures in diverse traditions such as Hinduism,Buddhism,Jainism etc.Even pagan philosophers such as Socrates and Diogenes were celibate.Celibacy forces one to be constantly aware of one's thoughts and hence requires constant mindfulness and equanimity,both are which are vital for spiritual growth. 3.The actions of a few sinners calls for more discipline,not indulgence Based on most of the data that is published(including the report that you gave in the earlier debate) it is evident that only a very small minority of priests actually engage in pedophilia.One can safely assume that the vast majority of the priesthood is still celibate.Stricter enforcement of discipline is needed in this case, not bowing to public pressure. Even if there is scientific proof that men will face strong sexual urges,priesthood is a special call from God, not just an ordinary job.Not everyone can represent Christ himself to the world , it is a special responsibility and needs one to go against one's natural urges to sin.How can one claim to be prepared to endure hardships for Christ if one can't even control one's base sexual urges? Eagerly waiting for your rebuttals, CynicalDiogenes