Singleness

Question 1

What does celibacy

Answer 1

Celibacy refers to someone who is abstaining from marriage and sexual relationships.

Question 2

What is Chasity

Answer 2

Chasity refers to being “morally pure” and means to keep your body free from sexual relationships

Question 3

A few examples of why people might be single

Answer 3

• a person may be looking for a relationship but haven’t found a person they want to spend their lives with yet
  -may have been married before and when their partner dies they are not looking for a relationship
  -some peoples marriages fail and they may not want to be in a relationship afterwards
  -religious reasons include nuns, monks and priests who dedicate their lives to the church

Question 4

Who are not allowed to get married

Answer 4

Roman Catholic priests

Question 5

What is the advantage of clergy from Protestant churches being able to marry

Answer 5

they might have greater understanding for members of the congregation who are facing marriage or parenting difficulties.

Question 6

Why do Roman Catholic priests HAVE to be celibate

Answer 6

because it allows them to devote themselves completely to God, free of any ‘distractions

Question 7

Reasons for clergy marriage

Answer 7

-Protestant clergy are allowed to marry and seem able to fulfil their role
-There is a shortage of men entering the priesthood. This might change if they were allowed to marry.
-If priests were allowed to marry and have children, more men would want to follow in their father’s footsteps – this might also raise the number of applicants.
-They may find it easier to relate to the married members of the congregations and be able to offer marital advice.
-God created Eve because he saw that it wasn’t good for man to be alone

Question 8

Reasons against clergy marriage

Answer 8

-Paul recommended single life because it allows people to focus more on their relationship with God.
-Having a family is very time consuming and it may distract the priest from his duties.
-Sacrificing marriage demonstrates true commitment to God – important in ministry
-Catholic services tend to run much more frequently than those in Protestant denominations so it may not be fair on the family of the priest if he is always so busy.
-It safeguards the priest against divorce.