| "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' ... 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." Pg. 395, #1579 |
Is celibacy a sacrifice God requires of His servants, or is it another tradition of men? The Bible declares:
| "Marriage is honourable in all..." Hebrews 13:4 |
Does this include religious leaders, like priests and nuns? When God's Word lists the qualifications of bishops, who are religious leaders, we are told that:
| "A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife..." 1 Timothy 3:2 |
God has the same requirement for deacons:
| "Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well." 1 Timothy 3:12 |
From the beginning, it has always been God's plan that men should have wives. Shortly after creating Adam, the first man:
| "...the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him." Genesis 2:18 |
Not only does God express His approval of marriage, He delivers this powerful warning:
| "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines o f 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 |
Not only is celibacy not required by God, it is a doctrine of demons. The Bible announces that those who teach this doctrine are "giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy;"
Please understand, these are not my words, they are God's Words.
How tragic that priests and nuns around the world are foregoing the pleasure of sharing their lives with a spouse, believing that their sacrifice pleases God, when in reality they are falling prey to a powerful demonic scheme.
If only priests and nuns could learn that God makes no such requirement... and that they are being deceived by Satan. God has recorded all these truths in His Word. If only they could see and understand them.
A married pope?
Few Catholics realize that Peter, the "first pope," was a married man:
| "But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever..." Mark 1:30 |
This Simon is none other than the Apostle Peter. (See Matthew 4:18 and Matthew 10:2.)
Why this doctrine?
This Catholic doctrine, like all others we have discussed, directly opposes God's Word. One must wonder why Catholicism would teach that celibacy "radiantly proclaims the Reign of God," when the Lord has declared that this doctrine originated in hell.
Is it because the Catholic church does not want to pay the millions of dollars it would cost each year to support the families of priests and nuns?
Conclusion
Now that you know what the Bible teaches on this subject, you must decide whether you will believe the Word of God or the traditions of the Catholic church.
If you happen to be a priest or a nun, please ask yourself who your sacrifice is really pleasing:
| "Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth." Proverbs 5:18 |
Understanding Roman Catholicism © 1995 by Rick Jones
