What does it mean to be celibate, and how do I live it?

[Lorenzo]

What does it mean to be celibate, and how do I live it?

[Lorenzo]

Is celibacy better than marriage?

Celibacy does not make anyone "better" than anyone else.  Neither does marriage make a person better than a single person.  Every person is called to share himself or herself in a commitment to love, whether that is through the vows of marriage or celibacy or as a single person.

[Lorenzo]

Does living as a celibate mean you don't love anyone?

Absolutely not!  We would be terrible celibates and priests if the reason we were priests was because we decided we didn't love anyone, and we were celibate because we couldn't find anyone to marry.  True celibacy as Jesus lived it requires a great capacity and desire to love.

[Lorenzo]

I think I'm falling in love.  Does that mean I shouldn't be a priest?

Falling in love is natural and human.  We wouldn't have very many priests if we only ordained people who have never fallen in love.  If a man feels called to priesthood and finds himself falling in love, this does not necessarily mean he is no longer called to priesthood.  It could very well be an opportunity to look at the deeper aspects of love and commitment and ask the question, "In  what way is God asking me to love others?"

[Lorenzo]

Since many clergy in Protestant churches are married, why can't priests be married?

There are many different Protestant denominations, many of which allow married men (and women) to be clergy.  A complete answer embracing all forms of Protestant belief is not possible here.  The Catholic Church, with its unique emphasis on the sacramental nature of priesthood, upholds a priestly life modeled after Christ himself.  For Catholics, the priest must be "another Christ".  Most Protestants would not view their clergy in the same way.  Since they don't see their clergy as sacramentally "another Christ", celibacy is not seen as an important value in their ministers.

[Lorenzo]

Questions and answers retrieved from:
http://www.madisondiocese.org/Vocations/DiscerningaVocation.aspx