Should priests have to remain celibate?


	Should priests have to remain celibate?
	Advantages It reflects the fact that Jesus himself was never married. Marriage would interfere with the total consecration to God that is need for administering sacraments, particularly the eucharist It shows the priest's total commitment to Christ and his church Marriage would provide distractions from priestly duties- the duties of a priest and a married man would conflict.	Disadvantages Jesus' disciples had wives and families and marriage was not an issue in the early church. More people would respond to God's call to the priesthood. Priests would be able to offer better advice and support to those who experience marital problems, if they themselves had wives and families. There is no reason why the two areas of life should cause conflict. Married people have jobs that are demanding in terms of time and commitment.
	Evaluation

It reflects the fact that Jesus himself was never married.
Marriage would interfere with the total consecration to God that is need for administering sacraments, particularly the eucharist
It shows the priest's total commitment to Christ and his church
Marriage would provide distractions from priestly duties- the duties of a priest and a married man would conflict.

Jesus' disciples had wives and families and marriage was not an issue in the early church.
More people would respond to God's call to the priesthood.
Priests would be able to offer better advice and support to those who experience marital problems, if they themselves had wives and families.
There is no reason why the two areas of life should cause conflict. Married people have jobs that are demanding in terms of time and commitment.

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