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The idea of clerical celibacy traces back to the beginnings of Christianity: "Celibacy is represented in the Roman Catholic Church as having apostolic authority. Theologically, the Church desires to imitate the life of Jesus with regard to chastity and the sacrifice of married life for the "sake of the Kingdom" (Luke 18:28-30, Mattew 19:27-30; Mark 10:20-21), and to follow the example of Jesus Christ in being "married" to the Church, viewed by Catholicism and many Christian traditions as the "Bride of Christ". Also of importance are the teachings of St. Paul, that chastity is the superior state of life, and his desire expressed in I Corintians 7:7-8, 'I would that all men were even as myself [celibate] - but every one has his proper gift from God; one after this manner, and another after that. But I say to the unmarried and the widows. It is good for them if they so continue, even as I.'" (Wikipedia, links removed, emphasis added) Background: Clerical Celibacy in the Catholic Church "Clerical celibacy is the discipline by which, in some of the particular churches that constitute the Catholic Church, only unmarried men are, as a rule, to be ordained to the priesthood. The same discipline holds in some other Churches for ordination to the episcopate. Chief of the Catholic particular Churches that follow this discipline is the Latin Rite, but, among the Eastern Catholic Churches, at least the Ethiopic Catholic Church applies it also. In this context, "celibacy" retains its original meaning of "unmarried", and does not refer to the continence or abstinence from sexual intercourse that even the married may practise. Throughout the Catholic Church, East as well as West, a priest may not marry. To become a married priest, one must therefore marry before being ordained. The Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, without exception, rule out ordination of married men to the episcopate. The law of clerical celibacy is considered to be not a doctrine, but a discipline. Exceptions are sometimes made, especially in the case of Protestant clergymen who convert to the Catholic Church, and the discipline could in theory be changed for all ordinations to the priesthood. However, it is considered a valuable witness of Christian faith and as a way of following the example of Christ and his celibate way of life." (Wikipedia, links removed)
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Why did the Catholic Church want to ensure that property remained with the Church and not be inherited by a priest's children?
In Catholicism priests take a vow of celebacy, and therefore would have no children. Also all Catholic property belongs to the Church because it is funded with money from the Church.
Priests take a vow of celebacy?
Roman Catholic AnswerThe church requires celibacy from your priests, but they do not take this vow at ordaination. The first of the major ordinantions is deacon, and all priests have been ordained to the deaconate at the end of their third year of theology. That is when they make a vow of celibacy.
Are village priests sons of higher-level priests?
In the Catholic Church, priests are celibate, therefore this question does not apply to the Catholic Church.
Which was a disagreement between catholic church and orthdox church?
Orthodox priests could marry, Catholic priests could not.
When did the Catholic Church start having female priests and bishops?
The Catholic Church has never had female priests nor bishops, and will never have them.
Is there an Edwardian order of priests in Catholic Church?
No.
Who were the first priests and bishops?
The apostles were the first priests and bishops of the Catholic Church.
Who is responsible for ordaining priests?
In the Catholic Church, bishops are responsible for ordaining priests.
Do priests have to be virgins in order to serve in the church?
No, priests in the Catholic Church are not required to be virgins in order to serve. However, celibacy is a requirement for priests in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, meaning they are not allowed to marry or engage in sexual relationships.
Are dominican priests recognized by the roman catholic church?
Yes. The Dominican order is an order in the Catholic Church.
Women Priests in the Catholic Church?
No there are no female priests in the Roman Catholic Church. A priest represents Jesus on the Alter and a woman cannot do that. Religious women can become nuns but not priests.
Who were the people in power in the medieval church?
The church was Catholic so it was the Pope and the priests.
