"How much stronger are our virgins, who
overcome even those powers which they do not see; whose victory is not only over flesh and
blood, but also over the prince of this world, and ruler of this age!" - St.
Ambrose ("Concerning Virgins" 4th century A.D.)
"But I would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the
things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: But he that is married careth
for the things that are of the world, how he may please [his] wife. There is difference
[also] between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord,
that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the
things of the world, how she may please [her] husband. And this I speak for your own
profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye
may attend upon the Lord without distraction." - 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
"Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: [It is] good for a man not
to touch a woman." - 1 Corinithians 7:1
"And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or
mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold,
and shall inherit everlasting life." - Matthew 19:29
"His disciples say unto him, If the case of the man be so with [his] wife, it is
not good to marry. But he said unto them, All [men] cannot receive this saying, save
[they] to whom it is given. For there are some eunuchs, which were so born from [their]
mother's womb: and there are some eunuchs, which were made eunuchs of men: and there be
eunuchs, which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He that is
able to receive [it], let him receive [it]." - Matthew 19:10-12
What the Catechism of the Catholic Church says on
"Celibacy of the Clergy:"
1579. "All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of
permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life
and who intend to remain celibate 'for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.' [Mt 19:12 .]
Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to 'the affairs of
the Lord,' [1 Cor 7:32 .] they give themselves entirely to God and to men. celibacy is a
sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated;
accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God. [Cf. PO
16.]"
1580. "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. [Cf. PO 16.] 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."
1599. "In the Latin Church the sacrament of Holy Orders for the presbyterate is
normally conferred only on candidates who are ready to embrace celibacy freely and who
publicly manifest their intention of staying celibate for the love of God's kingdom and
the service of men."
"Virgins, by the laying aside of all carnal affection, are
imitators of God. For, if a man be only in name called holy, he is not holy; but he must
be holy in everything: in his body and in his spirit. And those who are virgins rejoice at
all times in becoming like God and His Christ, and are imitators of them." - Pope
St. Clement of Rome ("Epistle Concerning Virginity" 1st century A.D.)
"The holy look of virginity is precious indeed in the
judgment of all who make purity the test of beauty; but it belongs to those alone whose
struggles to gain this object of a noble love are favoured and helped by the grace of
God." - St. Gregory of Nyssa ("On Virginity" 4th century A.D.)
Celibacy Of The Clergy
