Why is a vow of celibacy required of those in the clergy and Religious communities when celibacy is purely a matter of personal choice? Requiring a vow turns celibacy into an obligation for participating in a community. This forbids marriage for those who take the vow.
"No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God’s call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift. 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.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “the affairs of the Lord,” 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."
Apparently, Saint Paul did not require celibacy for Holy Orders even though he viewed celibacy as a higher calling. I don’t see where we have improved on this. He may have viewed a vow of celibacy as too restrictive, or worse.
St. Paul did not directly address the issue of marriage after Holy Orders. Like other teachings, it was decided by the authority of the Church given to her by Christ. St. Paul would not have seen such a vow as too restrictive, since both he and Christ lived it themselves and said that it is superior. St. Paul did teach for clergy to abstain if possible from "civilian affairs," (2 Tim 2:3-4) which would include family life, to be devoted wholly to the Church. Since Holy Orders configured the priest to act in persona Christ and to be a model of Christ, celibacy is required, though those married before ordination can still be ordained in the East or under special circumstances in the West.
You can live celibacy as much as you want without superimposing a vow on it. All of the later rules that developed in the Church can be changed by the Church including the requirement for different types of vows. I see no need for them. They do not replace true holiness or sanctification; and can even be a detriment if they are viewed as such.
Fortunately, that decision is not yours (or mine). Christ gave authority to the Church through His apostles and successors to decide on the changeable parts of Church teaching, not each individual Christian. The Church for 2000 years has maintained the apostolic tradition of celibacy, which after Holy Orders is not a changeable teaching, for priests and religious through voluntary vows. It is our duty to submit in obedience. The purpose of vows such as celibacy and poverty is to foster and inspire holiness, as they have for innumerable saints over the centuries.
As in our other discussions, I think we have gone as far as we can. Thank you and God bless.
Why is a vow of celibacy required of those in the clergy and Religious communities when celibacy is purely a matter of personal choice? Requiring a vow turns celibacy into an obligation for participating in a community. This forbids marriage for those who take the vow.
"No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God’s call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift. 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.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “the affairs of the Lord,” 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."
Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1578-1579
Apparently, Saint Paul did not require celibacy for Holy Orders even though he viewed celibacy as a higher calling. I don’t see where we have improved on this. He may have viewed a vow of celibacy as too restrictive, or worse.
St. Paul did not directly address the issue of marriage after Holy Orders. Like other teachings, it was decided by the authority of the Church given to her by Christ. St. Paul would not have seen such a vow as too restrictive, since both he and Christ lived it themselves and said that it is superior. St. Paul did teach for clergy to abstain if possible from "civilian affairs," (2 Tim 2:3-4) which would include family life, to be devoted wholly to the Church. Since Holy Orders configured the priest to act in persona Christ and to be a model of Christ, celibacy is required, though those married before ordination can still be ordained in the East or under special circumstances in the West.
You can live celibacy as much as you want without superimposing a vow on it. All of the later rules that developed in the Church can be changed by the Church including the requirement for different types of vows. I see no need for them. They do not replace true holiness or sanctification; and can even be a detriment if they are viewed as such.
Fortunately, that decision is not yours (or mine). Christ gave authority to the Church through His apostles and successors to decide on the changeable parts of Church teaching, not each individual Christian. The Church for 2000 years has maintained the apostolic tradition of celibacy, which after Holy Orders is not a changeable teaching, for priests and religious through voluntary vows. It is our duty to submit in obedience. The purpose of vows such as celibacy and poverty is to foster and inspire holiness, as they have for innumerable saints over the centuries.
As in our other discussions, I think we have gone as far as we can. Thank you and God bless.