Page "Clerical celibacy" Paragraph 78

I Corinthians 9: 5 is sometimes cited by those opposed to celibacy, as the verse is often rendered as referring to the Apostles carrying " wives " with them.

Even apart from disputes about the significance of the word translated as " wives ", this passage is of doubtful relevance to the rule of celibacy for priests of the Latin Church, which was introduced much later and is seen only as a discipline within that particular Church alone, not a doctrine binding all: in other words, a church regulation, but not an integral part of Church teaching.

St. Peter, often seen as the first pope, as well as many subsequent popes, bishops, and priests during the church's first 270 years were in fact married men, and often fathers of children.

The practice of clerical continence, along with a prohibition of marriage after ordination as a deacon, priest or bishop, is traceable from the time of the Council of Elvira.

This law was reinforced in the Directa Decretal ( 385 ) and at the Council of Carthage in 390.

The tradition of clerical continence developed into a practice of clerical celibacy ( ordaining only unmarried men ) from the 11th century onward among Latin Rite Catholics and became a formal part of canon law in 1917.

This law of clerical celibacy does not apply to Eastern Catholics.

Until recently, the Eastern Catholic bishops of North America would generally ordain only unmarried men, for fear that married priests would create scandal.

Since Vatican II's call for the restoration of Eastern Catholic traditions, a number of bishops have returned to the traditional practice of ordaining married men to the presbyterate.

Bishops are still celibate and normally chosen from the ranks of monks.