Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Celibacy NOT Essential to Priesthood & St. Paphnutius, Defender of Married Clergy, at Council of Nicea (AD 325): Henry Karlson


As a primary source, this is one of the most illustrative explanations on the case for a restored noncontinent married priesthood in the Latin rite.

It is based on 2 Church historians, Socrates Scholasticus & Sozomen from the 4th Century, who describe a holy celibate monk named St. Paphnatius defending married clergy at most likely the Council of Nicea.  Synesius of Cyrene is also cited.

Source: Clerical Celibacy: Not Essential to Orders | Henry Karlson
(13 May 2020)

Excerpt:
What is important in this historical incident is the recognition that there were bishops, priests, and deacons, all who were married, and among them, there were those still having relations with their wives, having more children while in a position of ecclesial authority. And, although there were various jurisdictions in which disciplines emerged where ecclesiastical authorities were expected to put away their wives and no longer have relations with them, these disciplines were not universal.

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