Celibacy

What is celibacy?

Celibacy, in the religious context, is the means by which a man consecrates himself totally to God for the service of humanity. By celibacy a Christian sets aside the responsibilities and intimate relationships of family life in order to take on the responsibilities of serving the wider family of man. By a personal relationship with God in prayer, by the friendships and associations with married and single men and women, he grows in his love of humanity and becomes capable of serving God's people more effectively. To be authentic, it must be inspired by a love for Jesus who is the man for others.

Why can't priests get married? That must be very difficult.

Catholic priests in the Roman Rite do not get married so as to dedicate themselves completely to Jesus and to His people. Priests generate "spiritual children" by bringing many souls to Christ and helping them to grow in holiness so that they can one day live forever in Heaven. The sacrifice of celibacy (not getting married) is a sign to the world that only Jesus can give us the happiness that we all so crave. Giving up something as important as marriage and family is a powerful sign to the world that Jesus Christ is real! He is worth living for and sacrificing for. No, it is not easy, but neither is marriage. The fact is, every vocation requires great personal sacrifice. And there is great joy in sacrifice when it is done for Jesus and for others! As one priest said: "It is true that no one will ever call me ‘daddy’. But thousands call me ‘Father’."

Will priests ever be allowed to get married?

It is possible that this law of the Church will one day be changed. If the Holy Spirit wants this change, He will effect it through the Pope and bishops of the world. However, it would be a grave mistake to go to the seminary "expecting" this change. That would be setting oneself up for a big disappointment, should it not happen.

Don’t you think more men would become priests if they could get married? Wouldn’t that solve the priest shortage?

Perhaps more men would choose the priesthood, but the question is, "Would this be what is best for the Church?" As said above, celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom is a powerful sign that Jesus is real! And that He is worth living for, sacrificing for, and dying for. Besides, in the world as a whole, vocations to the priesthood and religious life have dramatically increased in the last thirty years. In Africa, they increased by 394%; in S. E. Asia, by 152%; in Central America, by 165%; and in South America, by 253%! It is only in the U. S. and in Western Europe that they dropped by 60% and 13%, respectively. The problem is not the requirement of celibacy … there is something else going on in our nation and in Western Europe.