Pastoral Resources

The church may hold whatever it holds with regard to clerical celibacy.

The vow of celibacy is a matter of keeping one's word to Christ and the Church. a duty and a proof of the priest's inner maturity; it is the expression of his personal dignity.

Marriage may often be a stormy lake, but celibacy is almost always a muddy horse pond.

Celibacy is not just a matter of not having sex. It is a way of admiring a person for their humanity, maybe even for their beauty.

For the standard of Christian life was to be strained to a higher pitch; more fasting was required, and more careful separation from the manners and enjoyments of the world; celibacy and martyrdom had great value set upon them, and second marriages were prohibited.

Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion. Someone is accepted as a priest only when he does it of his own accord.

As to marriage or celibacy, let a man take which course he will, he will be sure to repent.

Celibacy is the worst form of self-abuse.