Why does the Latin Catholic Church practice clerical celibacy?
In the Latin (Roman) Rite, priests freely choose perpetual celibacy 'for the sake of the kingdom of heaven' (Matthew 19:12). Following the example of Jesus Christ Himself, the celibate priest consecrates his whole heart and body to God with an undivided love. Celibacy frees the priest from familial obligations so he can be fully available to all parishioners day and night as a spiritual father, and serves as an eschatological witness pointing to the heavenly life where people neither marry nor are given in marriage.
Sources
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, paragraphs 1579-1580
- Matthew 19:12
- 1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Awaiting review by the chaplaincy. Written in our own words; the Church's own texts are the authority.