More fortunate was the widowed Clement IV who ruled from He had the usual political struggles with local nobles but was a patron and protector of the great theologian St. Adrian II, who was elected in , was another married pope. He was an elderly man at the time of his selection but was still married to his wife, Stephania.
The couple had two daughters and the whole family lived together in the Lateran Palace in Rome. Unfortunately, the pope lost the struggle and he was placed in confinement.
His enemies captured and murdered his family. This was not to say that these men did anything illicit. Their marriages either ended before ordination, or they and their wives were simply accepted as exceptions to the general rule of celibacy. There were, however, other popes who were quite sexual in unapproved manners. He fathered several sons by different mistresses. He made one son, Caesare Borgia, a cardinal. His private life was certainly corrupt and his lavish lifestyle offended many, however, he was highly educated, a supremely good administrator and he kept the kings of Naples and France at bay.
Later popes admired his management style, although not his lifestyle. Celibacy by definition means abstaining from marriage and sexual relations. Before thisit was quite common for clergy to be married, encouraged even. As it says nothing explicitly in the bible about remaining celibate, it was once believed that members of the church should set a good example by marrying and bearing children, work set out by god.
At some point in history, this changed and has never been the same since. For many, celibacy is a key part of being a Catholic priest, one who is supposed to devote himself to the Church and not be distracted by what some consider to be worldly concerns like a wife and family. Back in the first century, Popes, such as Peter and the other apostles, were all, for the most part, married men.
However, Jesus Christ was unmarried and exercised a single-minded devotion to his beliefs and mission. In the New Testament, virginity, as well as celibacy, were seen as a gift from God to be embraced. Those who forego worldly possession and underwent poverty, chastity, and obedience, including sexual restraint was seen as the pursuit of holiness. Priests as well were asked to be celibate back in ancient times although this rule was broken many times throughout history.
There are plenty of Popes in history who, despite their vow of celibacy, have broken this rule. These include popes who were married, had long-term partners, lovers, and even a few that had children. Eighteenth Century American Declaration of Independence. Nineteenth Century Napoleon. Peter, Apostle St. Felix III 2 children St. Hormidas 1 son St. History sources: Oxford Dictionary of Popes; H.
Foy Ed. Jewtt The Ordination of Women ; A. DeRosa Vicars of Christ Myth: All priests take a vow of celibacy. Fact: Most priests do not take a vow. It is a promise made before the bishop. Myth: Celibacy is not the reason for the vocation shortage. Fact: A survey of Protestant churches shows a surplus of clergy; the Catholic church alone has a shortage. Myth: Clerical celibacy has been the norm since the Second Lateran Council in Fact: Priests and even popes still continued to marry and have children for several hundred years after that date.
In fact, the Eastern Catholic Church still has married priests. Myth: The vocation shortage is due to materialism and lack of faith.
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