Page 566 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH

The Catholic Church by the power given to her by The Catholic Church gives several reasons for this
Christ declares that the wearing of these scapulars requirement: First, celibacy leaves the priest free from
[special cloths which have been blessed by a Rome] marital responsibility that he might more fully devote
with good dispositions will aid in the forgiveness of the himself to his (or her, in the case of nuns) ministry.
punishment due to sin and bring down God’s blessing Second, celibacy allows the priest to expose himself to
upon the wearer (Catholic Information Service dangers without thought of a family. Third, as a type of
correspondence course, lesson nine).
If someone persists in the belief that these practices Christ in servanthood, the priest (or nun) should forsake
marriage as a willing sacrifice as Christ did. Fourth,
are no longer a common part of Roman Catholic life, he celibacy is an example of virtue in a wicked world. Fifth,
should visit Rome! Or let him consider the following by celibacy priests and nuns identify with the poor
statement made by a Catholic theologian who travels people of the world by voluntarily giving up a natural
and reads widely in international Catholic circles: pleasure of life (The Theologians Answer Your Questions,
“The rosary, which seemed about to vanish into the Bombay: St. Paul Publications, 1970, pp. 189-190,).
grave, has been reborn. I know enough of leaders and
directors of pilgrimages to Lourdes to know that their Bible Answer:
devotion to the Blessed Virgin is not in question” (The 1. Peter and most of the other apostles were married
Theologians Answer Your Questions, pp. 185-186). men (Mt. 8:14). In 1 Corinthians 9:5 the apostle Paul
As we have seen, the Second Vatican Council says that he was an exception to the rule of not having a
encouraged Catholics to continue to follow what it wife.
called the “Mary cult,” and Pope John Paul II continually 2. God’s standards for church leaders call for
urged Catholics to worship Mary and partake in the cult marriage, not celibacy (1 Ti. 3:1-4; Tit. 1:5-6)! The
of Roman superstitious practices. Roman Catholic Church has an evil habit of following
Bible Answer: traditions that are directly contrary to God’s Word.
1. All of these practices are foreign to the New 3. Marriage is an area of personal freedom before
Testament Scriptures. There is no biblical authority for God. In 1 Corinthians 7 the apostle Paul gave
them. instructions about marriage and he left the final
2. Sanctification (holiness) and blessing do not come decision to the individual rather than dictating absolutes
through religious ritual, images, cloths, water, or in this area. Some are called to remain unmarried all
pilgrimages to “holy shrines.” Churches have no power their lives; others are not so called. It is strictly a matter
to make such things holy or to promise blessing through of personal freedom and calling, not something to be
attendance to them. The practices described above are dictated by church laws.
foreign to and contrary to the teaching of the New 4. Any teaching that forbids marriage is demonically
Testament. inspired (1 Ti. 4:1-3).
If we desire to be made holy before God, to be 5. Marriage is as holy as virginity (He. 13:4). Here
sanctified, to be blessed we must receive it in the we see that it is not more virtuous to remain unmarried.
biblical way. The Bible says we are sanctified through Marriage is holy and honorable.
the sacrifice of Christ (He. 10:10), through the Word of 6. To forbid marriage is to put believers in danger of
God (Jn. 17:17), in the name of Jesus Christ and by the falling into immorality (1 Co. 7:2-5, 9, 36). Catholic
Spirit of God (1 Co. 6:11). history is filled with the chronicles of priests and nuns—
Error # 10—Celibacy yea, even popes—who lived in adultery and fornication.
In the fourth century it became law that the “clergy” One reason for this is the enforced “celibacy.”
of the Roman Catholic Church take a vow of celibacy 7. The Bible commands married couples to live
and remain unmarried. “A married man could become a together and not to forsake the marriage bed (1 Co.
priest if, besides having the required qualities, he 7:3-5). As we have seen, Rome demands that married
obtained his wife’s consent to a separation” (Joseph men and women disobey God’s Word in this matter if
Segers, Any Questions? Bombay: St. Paul Publications, they desire to be church leaders. The Lord Jesus Christ
1965, p. 154; this is a Catholic publication used in says to the Catholic Church what He said to the
missionary work in India). Of course, this also applies to hypocritical Jewish leaders. “He answered and said unto
the pope. “If a married man was elected, he could not them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of
accept the election unless he first secured his wife’s God by your tradition? Ye have made the commandment
consent to a separation. It would indeed be a worthy of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites,
sacrifice on the altar of matrimonial faithfulness” (Ibid., well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people
p. 54). draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth
me with their lips: but their heart is far from me. But in

566 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity