Why Catholic Fathers and Sisters do not marry?

Contributions: Catholic Bishops Commission for Catechetics
Translation: Suzanna Joseph

It is often asked “Why Catholic Fathers and Sisters do not marry? Which Biblical reference supports the idea of Celibacy?”

Jesus answered, “This teaching does not apply to everyone, but only to those to whom God has given it. For there are different reasons why men cannot marry: some because they were born that way; others, because men made them that way; and others do not marry for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let him who can accept this teaching do so” (Matthew 19:11).

In this verse Jesus is speaking figuratively. He is talking about those who have chosen to live celibate lives in order to serve God’s Kingdom in a better way.

No other denomination fulfills this calling except Catholic Fathers and Sisters.
We feel proud that there are more than twelve hundred thousand Catholic Fathers and Sisters who live a vow of chastity for God’s Kingdom.

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Paul writes “I would like you to be free from worry. An unmarried man concerns himself with the Lord’s work, because he is trying to please the Lord. But a married man concerns himself with worldly matters, because he wants to please his wife; and so he is pulled in two directions”.

Here Paul reflects on an unmarried man being able to serve the Lord’s will better than a married man. With an undivided heart he is free from the matters of this world so he can solely focus on pleasing God.

Another citation is Matthew 22:30 “For when the dead rise to life, they will be like the angels in heaven and will not marry.”

Therefore, Catholic Fathers and Sisters live an exemplary celibate life projecting our future afterlife.