The Celibate Catholic Priests

[tafadzwa]

I am an ex-catholic. Sometime ago whilst I was reading and doing research at a public library about the history of the Catholic Church, I realized what kind of Devil we fight against. So evil. My heart was just pained especially as an ex-catholic, I just thought about those still trapped inside this Catholic regime. They need freedom. They need Jesus. They need salvation. They need truth. Oh Jesus…

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The thing the devil has imposed on the Catholic priests and nuns; for them to remain celibate is just difficult if it is not your choice to remain so. Most of them continue to struggle with this condition. God originally created man and woman to be together as husband and wife, not for one to separate from the other. The devil won in this endeavor because he knows how difficult it is for a human being to be in this condition yet he requires them to remain so. He [Satan] thought it was a secret that we will never know so we continue to be in bondage and never find out. But it is not so!! This thing (secret) comes from the DARKEST times of history when Catholicism emerged. Asking for difficult thing indeed. I don’t have the right words to explain this. Just try to imagine. According to 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 8, Paul was not married, but to use this scripture to support the celibacy in the Catholic Church is not sufficient since that scripture needs a bit of some explanation as to what Paul exactly meant. These are just some of the ‘evils’ that are found in the Catholic Church and at times people do not realize how destructive they are.


I pray that God may open the hearts of those trapped in this Church so they may one-day become free as I am. I love Jesus.


Tafadzwa

 

[SpiritLedEd]

The thing the devil has imposed on the Catholic priests and nuns; for them to remain celibate is just impossible, especially if it is not your choice to remain so. Most of them continue to struggle with this condition. God originally created man and woman to be together as husband and wife, not for one to separate from the other.

It sounds as if you do not believe God ever intended anyone to remain unmarried for a lifetime. How, then, do you deal with Paul's opening statement in 1 Cor 7:1 - "It is good for a man not to marry."?

Celibacy is not impossible. Difficult? yes, but not impossible. I have two close male friends who are 38 and 40 years old respectively and are leading celibate lives. Are they struggling with it? Yes, but they've accepted the struggle as part of the cross they have to bear.

I, too, am an ex-Catholic, but, I must take issue with you over your apparent belief that priests are trapped into accepting celibacy. That isn't so. I've known a number of men who left the priesthood and got married. As I recall, those studying for the priesthood or the religious life (nuns) are told of the celibacy rule at the onset of their study. They have the option of leaving before final vows are taken - and some leave after final vows.

SpiritLedEd (SLE)

 

[tafadzwa]

hie Spirit.

Happy Valentines!!!

thanks for your response. i understand it and i do see exactly what you mean. i was jsut referring to the Catholic priests and Celibacy coming as a condition of accepting Priesthood in that particular church. That is why i quoted that scripture in 1 Corinthians 7 vs 1. i am aware of it very much. Nevertheless i made some adjustments to the post. Thanks so much SPIrITLed. what i meant is by "trapped" is that; most of the people in the Catholic church need "freedom" (the Word of God purely as it is) not Catholic Doctrine. Thanks Spiritled. Please read my article in Bible-Study - My Parents Are Catholics....

may God Bless you exceedingly abundantly according to the riches of his longsuffering love.

We love JEsus

 

[Maureen]

Genesis 2 v 22 - 24
22And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.
23And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.

24Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

I think these verses explain very plainly the reason men and women are made for each other.
I'm not saying now, that a man or a woman cannot live without a wife or husband, as some choose to do so.
Surely it was to populate the earth, but God is also saying it is 'normal'
therefore Priests are not being 'normal' in this way.

Is this were they take the scripture from the life of Paul to confirm this belief of celibacy?
I often wondered how they prove it's right.

then again, were do they get confimation in the scriptures for a priest being able to forgive sin? and that sin must be confesed to a priest?
Only Jesus can do that.

There are many things that aren't in line with scripture regarding the Roman Catholic faith.
You would all know more than I, being converts from it, Hallelujah.

 

[stephen]

[F Sans Serif]I am an ex-catholic. Sometime ago whilst I was reading and doing research at a public library about the history of the Catholic Church, I realized what kind of Devil we fight against. So evil. My heart was just pained especially as an ex-catholic, I just thought about those still trapped inside this Catholic regime. They need freedom. They need Jesus. They need salvation. They need truth. Oh Jesus… [/FONT]


[F Sans Serif]The thing the devil has imposed on the Catholic priests and nuns; for them to remain celibate is just difficult if it is not your choice to remain so. Most of them continue to struggle with this condition. God originally created man and woman to be together as husband and wife, not for one to separate from the other. The devil won in this endeavor because he knows how difficult it is for a human being to be in this condition yet he requires them to remain so. He [Satan] thought it was a secret that we will never know so we continue to be in bondage and never find out. But it is not so!! This thing (secret) comes from the DARKEST times of history when Catholicism emerged. Asking for difficult thing indeed. I don’t have the right words to explain this. Just try to imagine. According to 1 Corinthians 7 vs. 8, Paul was not married, but to use this scripture to support the celibacy in the Catholic Church is not sufficient since that scripture needs a bit of some explanation as to what Paul exactly meant. These are just some of the ‘evils’ that are found in the Catholic Church and at times people do not realize how destructive they are. [/FONT]


[F Sans Serif]I pray that God may open the hearts of those trapped in this Church so they may one-day become free as I am. I love Jesus.[/FONT]


[F Sans Serif]Tafadzwa[/FONT]

Thanks for posting tafadzwa. I hear what you say and I pray God Bless You as you follow Jesus

I am not a Catholic. In my youth, born again, and baptised in the Holy Spirit I used to lambast the Catholic Church, mother of harlots, as the spiritual Babylon, and predicted fall...Rev ch 17

Here I am 45 years on and I am not quite so anti as I used to be.

Reason being I visit the local Catholic Church once a year, to engage in fraternal fellowship between the churches. This fellowship concludes with an evening rally between the churches. Held in the Catholic building when meeting there, most attendees are Catholic.

I have stood back in awe as folks began to worship Jesus. Arms aloft, praise in the tongue........MmMM

This is a fraternal rally.....not doctrinal in any form...it puzzles me

 

[Fellowservant]

It sounds as if you do not believe God ever intended anyone to remain unmarried for a lifetime. How, then, do you deal with Paul's opening statement in 1 Cor 7:1 - "It is good for a man not to marry."?

Celibacy is not impossible. Difficult? yes, but not impossible. I have two close male friends who are 38 and 40 years old respectively and are leading celibate lives. Are they struggling with it? Yes, but they've accepted the struggle as part of the cross they have to bear.

I, too, am an ex-Catholic, but, I must take issue with you over your apparent belief that priests are trapped into accepting celibacy. That isn't so. I've known a number of men who left the priesthood and got married. As I recall, those studying for the priesthood or the religious life (nuns) are told of the celibacy rule at the onset of their study. They have the option of leaving before final vows are taken - and some leave after final vows.

SpiritLedEd (SLE)

Being celibate for the Roman Catholic Church Priesthood, and being celibate for the kingdom of God are two seperate things. One is a command for service, the other is a recommandation by Paul. They are very different.

Paul excepted married saints into the ministry of the lord, the RCC forbids it. The doctrine of unmarried only ministers of God, or forbiding to marry is highly condemned in scripture as a lie, and hypocrisy. 1Timothy 4:1-3

As i see this post is trying to express.

Ex:Catholic here as well...

Adam

 

[Mr. Armenian]

I as well am an Ex-Catholic............ I see somewhat of a reoccuring theme not from anyone particular, but it distresses me nonetheless.

To the original post by Tafadwza - yes, celibacy for Catholic priests is tough. Why just not become a monk? ha ha ha.

But, regardless, if we are Born Agains, Baptists, Anglicans, Protestant, Catholic or any other religion under Christianity - we're all on the same team. From where I stand, and from what I understand, we all believe in the same basic Principles. God is the creator of all. Jesus Christ is our Lord and saviour, and He is coming back to decide who goes to heaven and who doesn't.

So what if "religions" have traditions that may differ? By that account, Anglicans don't believe in confession. Are they better Christians than Catholics.

In this crazy world, I would like for us to all accept that we do things differently, but we are all brothers and sisters based on one basic principle. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.

 

[Fellowservant]

I as well am an Ex-Catholic............ I see somewhat of a reoccuring theme not from anyone particular, but it distresses me nonetheless.


But, regardless, if we are Born Agains, Baptists, Anglicans, Protestant, Catholic or any other religion under Christianity - we're all on the same team.

I beg to differ so does the scriptures, if you think were all on the same team as professing Christians, you don't know the scriptures or the depths of satan. The word of God and his holy apostles and prophets, warned the saints night and day, that people would come in among them and lead them astray.

This is fact of scripture, do you believe them or not? this is your choice, but im not called to path men on the back. Gal 1:10 Im called to help them come to the full knowledge of the truth, as a teacher of the word.

Read the books of Timothy, Peter, Paul, and you will see how a teacher called of God aught to teach and warn men of deception in the Church of Christ.

If a person can depart from the faith by teaching unbelievable false doctrines, how does that put us on the same team? If the blind can lead the blind, are we a team? Do you want to be blind with the blind? If you do, Christ tells us to leave you to be blind.

Sorry if this is hard on the spirit, but the facts are there in scripture, not my words, but Gods and his holy apostles. And God wants all men to come to a knowledge of the truth, this is our hope brother.

1Ti 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
1Ti 4:2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
1Ti 4:3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.


2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.


Mat 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.


2Ti 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
2Ti 4:4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.


Act 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
Act 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
Act 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

These are just a few scriptures on the importants of scripture to make us wise, and on deception. We follow God and are kept by the word, if not, this is were the blind lose their sight. They are always learning, but can't understand the scriptures, or obey them.

May God give us sight to see the importance of scriptures, and learn from them.

Adam

 

[Maureen]

Defiantly not the same team.
just one example,
Some believe 'good works' gets them to heaven, how can we who know that is totally wrong be the same? It is written,

Ephesians 2 v 8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:Not of works, lest any man should boast

 

[SpiritLedEd]

Maureen:

Good works that we take on under our own power do not get us to heaven. But, to get the whole picture from Ephesians 2, we must add verse 10 to the verses you cited: "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do." Mere fire insurance salvation is not what we should want. We miss so much if we settle for fire insurance only.

"If any man builds on this foundation (Jesus Christ) using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, his work will be shown for what it is because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."
(1 Cor 3: 12-15)

SLE

 

[Hislovendures]

Matthew 18:19
"Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.(Bible-Gateway)NIV.
Lord, You have always seen the traditions of the heart and the decievers way, Father in Christ Jesus, break the ground, bind the weeds and awaken thy hearts in Your Holy Word and Truth, this I pray, amen! Thank You Father in Spirit, Lord Jesus.

 

[Maureen]

Amen brother Hislovendures

i know we don't get saved only to receive Salvation, for everything Jesus did for me an unworthy wretch.

I praise Him the day He reached down and saved me, so unworthy of His love and righteousness.

Good works before forgiveness and acceptance, are useless if one thinks they are going to 'earn' their way to heaven, as some believe.
but Good works afterwards now that's differant, they are works the Lord places upon you to carry out for Him, they are done from the heart for the love of Jesus and a joy of serving Him.

 

[tafadzwa]

I as well am an Ex-Catholic............ I see somewhat of a reoccuring theme not from anyone particular, but it distresses me nonetheless.

To the original post by Tafadzwa - yes, celibacy for Catholic priests is tough. Why just not become a monk? ha ha ha.

But, regardless, if we are Born Agains, Baptists, Anglicans, Protestant, Catholic or any other religion under Christianity - we're all on the same team. From where I stand, and from what I understand, we all believe in the same basic Principles. God is the creator of all. Jesus Christ is our Lord and saviour, and He is coming back to decide who goes to heaven and who doesn't.

So what if "religions" have traditions that may differ? By that account, Anglicans don't believe in confession. Are they better Christians than Catholics.

In this crazy world, I would like for us to all accept that we do things differently, but we are all brothers and sisters based on one basic principle. Jesus Christ is our Lord and Saviour.

Thanks so much Fellow servant for so much scripture that you quoted. Thanx Maureen. That is it! It solves the whole problem. I believe we should always find the answers in the scriptures not really to “think them up” like Mr. Armenian just said in the above post. If you believe, admit and know that Celibacy for the catholic priests is tough, then you don’t have at any time to disregard the fact!! No! You can’t! You just can’t because that is exactly what I am talking about! That is what makes me write. If you ask, “are Anglicans better Christians than Catholics?” then, what exactly do you mean by asking that? We don’t follow religions! But, are we not encouraging people (new believers) to go to good bible based churches to help them grow? Forgive me if I am too hard, such thinking like yours is what makes the world crazy as you just said, that is exactly what makes me mad when it comes to RELIGION. I have had encounters with the Mormons. They did not like it. Forgive me for confronting them. I am so sorry. I know about Islam and JW. That is a twisted doctrine, very misleading if I may say.


The foundation of the whole answer as FELLOWSERVANT has quoted I believe starts from Mathew 15: 8-9. That is the starting point. My dad told me that the reason why he stills goes to the Catholic Church is because, “any church may have its own weaknesses within its own system and such things as the ‘doctrines’ of the Catholic Church are just some of those. Its not about which church you go to”. Then according to such a statement I should go back to my Catholic church! You know what that makes me feel because my parents are Catholics! Mr Armenian, For what reason did you mention that you are ex-catholic?? <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" />

I will quote for you a very important scripture that I do not take lightly in any way, 2 Corinthians 11: 12 -15, “And what I do will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is not strange if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.” [RSV]

So when you say, “we do things differently”, this statement is misplaced. I believe we cannot go about fighting anyone because they are Catholic, Mormons or whatever. We are not here to argue but show each other the truth. We just pray for those people.

As for SpiritLed, what do you mean when you say, “Good Works that we take on under our own power do not get us to Heaven.?” Good works that we do under the power of God also don’t get us to heaven! That is why we are saved by GRACE and nothing else. You know that the bible says in James 2: 14, Faith is accompanied by good works. I do not take lightly in any way such scriptures like Romans 4 especially the first verses 1 – 8;

“ What then shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before GOD. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believe God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, his wages are not reckoned as a gift but as his due. And to one who does not work but trusts him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness. So also David pronounces a blessing upon the man to whom God reckons righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not reckon his sin.”

That is why in Ezekiel 18 God says, “ But when a righteous man turns away from his righteousness and commits iniquity and does the same abominable things that the wicked man does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds which he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, he shall die.” What I am trying to say here is this; if good WORKS ever got a man saved then such works should save the man to “some extent” even though he has done wrong or turned away from the Lord. They should some how make up for the wrong someone has done. We are never Partially Saved. That is why works don’t count. So Maureen’s quote Ephesians 2 vs 8 is sufficient as it is and it is exactly that, worse if you take it to verse 10 like you quoted, oh SpiritLed. IT IS CHRIST FIRST THEN GOOD WORKS; NEVER THE OPPOSITE to any extent.

taffy

 

[Fellowservant]

Very good post brother tafadzwa I said im Ex-Catholic because of my calling from God, he did not lead me into Roman Catholicism. I was lead into the scriptures by the holy spirit, to know and find the truth. Jesus said...

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
Joh 17:20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

God bless

 

[Maureen]

Yes Taffy you said much.

And is very true we cannot be 'partially' saved.
Our works must accompany Christ as you also stated, or even Christ first, then works.

I remember being in hospital, I'd broken my hip a few years ago, and next bed to me was a Catholic woman, she asked me was I a Christian also, to which I said I was.

She told me her Christianity, was her good works, as she went round the houses with the communion every Sunday giving it to the people.

She really could not grasp that this did not 'make' her a Christian.
Perhaps because she had been told it by her priest.

She really did think you HAD to work your way to heaven.

It's such a shame that people are being led astray this way, they are being taught it.
The Priest tells them what he wants them to know, and they do not search the scriptures at all to find out.
I have heard this repeatedly. What a lie is being told to them.

I heard the testimony of a nun in church one time, Jesus brought her out from it, what a glorious testimony that lady had, all to His glory.

 

[tafadzwa]

I said im Ex-Catholic because of my calling from God, he did not lead me into Roman Catholicism. I was lead into the scriptures by the holy spirit, to know and find the truth. Jesus said...

Sorry FELLOWSERVANT. This Question is meant for Mr. Armenian. Why is he Ex-Catholic then??

taffy

 

[Maureen]

surely you do not remain as 'Catholic' after being Born Again?
is that not what he means by ex

Excuse me, I'm only making a stab at it.
most likely I'm wrong.