What are the basis why priests are not allowed to marry?

Answer 1

Priests are entitled to uphold their beliefs and not to convert their attentions to things Catholicism deems less than God. Thus, the reason for not marrying.

-Amsterdam612

AnswerThere is absolutely no basis in scripture why priests should not marry. in fact, even St Peter was married as were many popes and priests before the rule came in in recent times.

The rule came in to the Catholic Church to ensure that priests fulfilled their roles without distraction. However, some have blamed enforced celibacy on the Catholic priesthood as part of the reason for problems over sexual abuse within the Church that has been covered up in recent years.

The claim that celibacy ensures that priests fulfill their duties better does not hold water. For one thing many other denominations allow their priests to marry (eg Anglicanism) and they fulfill their priestly role with exactly the same integrity as celibate Catholics.

There are now, however, Catholic priests who are married. In the Church of England there are a small number of priests who objected to women clergy and they went over to Rome and became Catholic priests after a suitable time of instruction. Many of these are married with families. This development in the UK has alienated many Catholic clergy - priests who have been loyal for years and who gave up a family life for the priesthood, and married deacons who have been prevented from becoming priests because they had a wife. And yet these newbies had the best of both worlds. So naturally there is much ill feeling towards this man-made rule of celibacy. In fact, in a recent poll in the UK, there was a large majority of Catholics who were now in favour of a married priesthood - and even a smaller majority in favour of exploring women's ministry as more and more Catholics experience female Anglican priests and realise what a wonderful ministry they provide.