Celibacy is Not the History of Catholic Clergy



Celibacy is an idea that just happened along the way and was adopted as church policy at a certain point in history when it made sense to the hierarchy. Before then male clergy had wives. It might not make sense today. Celibacy, like opposition to gay marriage and abortion, is just another historical accident.

There have been many arguments as to why the notion of celibacy in the Catholic Church came about. I have read it had to do with corrupt popes who amassed wealth and passed the position down to their children. If there were no children this problem would go away. Some say it had to do with the cost of running the organization. Single clergy needed less money.

Then there is the argument the concept came from the writing attributed to Paul. In a place or two this writing says, paraphrasing, "Men who want to spread the gospel like I do should be single like I am." This is not a directive from God or Jesus. It is just the musing of a self centered preacher.

One reads regularly that the Pope is considering termination of the celibacy requirement. It seems like that would be good in many ways. Of course this would leave behind the "sin" of violating celibacy--one less sin is always a good thing.

It could be, also, that the economics of being a priest have been reversed. Hundreds of years ago it was assumed the man in a marriage provided the only or main income for a family. This meant the church had to provide enough income for a family or there would be no priests.

Today in most marriages both the man and the woman have jobs. I know of so many people who are or have been clergy that have a spouse with a higher income. It means sometimes clergy can be paid less. Priests with working wives might be a bargain.

There might be good arguments of celibacy. That is has always been the practice in the Catholic Church is not one of them.

[Watch the Fargo Forum introduction of The Skrive. It is coming next week and will feature a series of bloggers including yours truly.]

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