I have often wondered where the idea of priestly celibacy comes from. I know that historically it goes very far back, almost to the time of the apostles. After a little reading it seems that, biblically speaking, it is rooted in Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 7, or in the words of Matthew 19:12. The relative ambiguity of Paul's writing makes it difficult to rest the idea on this passage alone, and although Jesus' words in Matthew are clearer, it is still difficult to base something like celibacy on one passage alone when the Bible speaks of marriage in so many different contexts.

I am not attempting to say anything authoritative here, these are just some of my thoughts on the issue. For whatever reason, over the past little while I've had this discussion with a number of people, so that is the background to even raising this topic.

Wikipedia says this about the Catholic teaching on celibacy, which is helpful in understanding their position a little better:

Catholics understand celibacy to be a reflection of life in Heaven, and a source of detachment from the material world, which aids in one's relationship with God. Catholic priests are called to be espoused to the Church itself, and espoused to God, without overwhelming commitments interfering with the relationship. Catholics understand celibacy as the calling of some, but not of all.

There are some things I like about this (such as the commitment to the Church) and other things I do not (such as that ever-present spiritual/secular dichotomy). But I am not going to pick this apart here. It is interesting to note that Orthodoxy takes an opposing position on celibacy. I do not know whether or not this is a reactionary development, or if this perspective has been the case for most of the history of the Orthodox Church.

In the Orthodox Church ordinary parish priests are expected to be married men with families before ordination, and they need their family's approval to become a priest.

I admit that there is a little part of me that likes the idea of pastors and priests maintaining a celibate lifestyle, but I acknowledge that it is a very small part of me. Before altering my course a little to pursue academics instead of the pastorate, I thought about the question more often. Eventually meeting the woman who is now my wife definitively put that question to rest. In a sense there is a greater freedom to pursue the work of ministry when unmarried, but I think this is more practical than anything else (eg., it is easier to move from place to place, or travel on short notice, etc.).

Celibacy has been a bone of contention and the direct or indirect cause of a lot of problems throughout history. People today know very well of the scandals among priests that have been in the news for the last few years and cost the Catholic Church billions of dollars in reparations, but it was an issue in the late Middle Ages as well. Priests (and even some Popes) had mistresses, children, or even paid for prostitutes. The corruption was so widespread that people had no confidence in their leaders. It is estimated that during this period about a fifth of the clergy in Germany had children or mistresses, and about a fourth of the clergy in the Netherlands did. This is one of the reasons that the Reformers argued so strongly against it, pointing to the moral failings of these spiritual leaders.

Now in Protestantism there is another issue, however. In defending marriage as an ordained institution of God, the Church has caused a great deal of strife for singles, treating them in a manner that is almost oppressive. So many things in the modern Church are tailored towards married people and genuine ministry to singles is almost nonexistent. This is even a greater problem for pastors. Those who are single and wishing to enter the pastorate are faced with a great struggle, because a perception has entered the minds of the people in the Church that an unmarried man is unfit to be a pastor. This idea is unjustified and preposterous and needs to be rectified.

One thing I would never advocate is taking vows of celibacy. I cannot say if there is anything inherently wrong with it, but practically speaking circumstances can change a great deal in a person's life. Also, I do not find any solid biblical support for such a vow. However, if a pastor or priest chooses (as opposed to vowing) celibacy, their choice should be honored and they should not be penalized in any way for that choice, such as being rejected for pastoral positions.

Further, in considering the theological questions behind this issue we need to come to a proper understanding of the idea of the priesthood of all believers, because I think that would have an impact on any notion of celibacy. But perhaps that is for another time. Or maybe it is something you can just think about on your own.