Why does the Western Catholic Church ordain only unmarried men to the priesthood?
The Church's teaching on who can be ordained involves two distinct aspects: the male priesthood and clerical celibacy.
First, regarding the ordination of men, the Church recognises that she is bound by the example and choice of Jesus Christ himself, who chose Twelve men as his Apostles, even though he accorded deep dignity to holy women like Mary Magdalene. The priest acts 'in persona Christi Capitis' (in the person of Christ the Head and Bridegroom) when celebrating the Eucharist.
Second, priestly celibacy in the Latin rite is a holy discipline and gift. Christ lived as a celibate, and Saint Paul recommended celibacy for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, allowing the priest to offer his undivided heart and life to God and to his spiritual family in total availability.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1577
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraph 1579
- Matthew 19:12
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.