Skip to content
The Catholic Leader
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute
No Result
View All Result
The Catholic Leader
No Result
View All Result
Home Opinion Letters

History of celibacy

byStaff writers
25 June 2006
Reading Time: 1 min read
AA
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

IN any debate that involves history, it is of prime importance to have correct historical facts. Otherwise, one can easily go off “half-cocked” on a “half truth”.

Regarding priestly celibacy, it has often been stated that it was imposed on Catholic clergy around the 11th century and especially at the Second Lateran Council (1139 AD).

According to Fr R. Ryland (Priestly Celibacy, edited by Fr P. Stravinskas) this is not historically correct.

There were indeed some married clergy in previous times, but they had to have been married before ordination, and could not marry again if widowed.

Another requirement, which is usually overlooked, was that both husband and wife had to agree to remain continent.

The Council of Alvira (305 AD), for example, reminded married clergy of their obligation of perpetual continence (Canon 32).

In other words, both unmarried and married clergy had to remain celibate.

This requirement was upheld at the councils of Nicea (325), Carthage (390), Tours (461), Gerona (517) and Auvergne II (535).

It can also be found in the writings of Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose, Pope Leo the Great (440-461) and Pope Gregory the Great (590-604).

The Gregorian reforms of the 11th and 12th centuries included dealing with violations of clerical celibacy and the decrees of the Second Lateran Council (1139) helped carry out the reforms.

Related Stories

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

As for scriptural, spiritual and theological foundations for celibacy and further historical information, for example, about Eastern Rite clergy, recommended reading is The Case for Clerical Celibacy by Cardinal Stickler as well as the book mentioned above, Priestly Celibacy, edited by Fr P. Stravinskas.

FR MARTIN DURHAM

Rockhampton, Qld

ShareTweet
Previous Post

BALLETS RUSSES

Next Post

Mater walk for miracles

Staff writers

Related Posts

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

20 May 2022
Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition
QLD

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning
QLD

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Next Post

Mater walk for miracles

Hope for Aborigines

Pregnancy aid plan criticised

Popular News

  • Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    Here are the stories of 10 new saints being canonised this Sunday

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Fr Liam receives bravery medal after shark attack rescue

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Queensland election: The pro-life political parties committed to abortion law reforms

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What is lust?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Search our job finder
No Result
View All Result

Latest News

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies
QLD

Gwen has given 15,000 hours of cuddles to sick and premature babies

by Joe Higgins
20 May 2022
0

BRISBANE grandmother Gwendoline Grant has clocked up 15,000 hours cuddling and caring for sick and premature babies...

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

Helping stroke survivors earns Ozcare volunteer national recognition

20 May 2022
Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

Br Alan Moss remembered for a life of faith and learning

19 May 2022
Catholic relationship advisers offer five tips to look after your mental health

Nationwide rosary event happening for Australia’s patroness this Saturday

19 May 2022
Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

Francis offers advice on politics: Seek unity, don’t get lost in conflict

19 May 2022

Never miss a story. Sign up to the Weekly Round-Up
eNewsletter now to receive headlines directly in your email.

Sign up to eNews
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Jobs
  • Subscribe

The Catholic Leader is an Australian award-winning Catholic newspaper that has been published by the Archdiocese of Brisbane since 1929. Our journalism seeks to provide a full, accurate and balanced Catholic perspective of local, national and international news while upholding the dignity of the human person.

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader
Accessibility Information | Privacy Policy | Archdiocese of Brisbane

The Catholic Leader acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples of this country and especially acknowledge the traditional owners on whose lands we live and work throughout the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
    • QLD
    • Australia
    • Regional
    • Education
    • World
    • Vatican
  • Features
  • Opinion
  • Life
    • Family
    • Relationships
    • Faith
  • Culture
  • People
  • Subscribe
  • Jobs
  • Contribute

Copyright © All Rights Reserved The Catholic Leader

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyChoose another Subscription
    Continue Shopping