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luisheqnturjr
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Question: Why does the Catholic Church teach that monks must take the three vows

(chastity, obedience, and poverty), and why do priests take the promises of
celibacy and obedience?

Answer (Monks, and explains obedience for priests, which is the same for monks):
Monks started taking the three vows around the 4th and 5th centuries. They were
formalized in the Rule of St. Benedict around 529 AD. St. Benedict's Rule is the
foundational document most monasteries follow now; other rules, like St.
Augustine's Rule, follow roughly the same principles, which are primarily used by
friars. The reason behind each vow is simple and based on the Bible. The vow of
chastity allows monks to completely devote themselves entirely to God without
distractions like family or sexual relationships. It’s the life that Christ lived:
a celibate life¹. The vow of celibacy is not based on land ownership, as monks and
priests typically did not own land. The Church did not usually get land from
clerics; rather, it received land through donations, military conquest, land
purchases, and royal grants. While the Church could still receive land from secular
clerics (priests without a holy order), it was not very common. So, the Church
wouldn’t need to make up an entire practice for the sole purpose of having more
land, as that was not the primary objective of celibacy. The vow of obedience is
about submission to the will of God through their superiors. It teaches the monks
to be humble and aligns their lifestyle with the monastic community’s mission.
Jesus showed obedience to the Father, even unto death². Poverty allows the monks to
live a life free from material possessions, detaching themselves from worldly
issues to grow spiritually. This vow is about living a simple life, relying
entirely on God’s Providence. Jesus' instructions to the rich young man, "sell what
you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven,” is a key
scriptural foundation for the vow of poverty³. The three vows mirror Christ's life:
to live a holy life while on earth, just like Christ Himself did.

Answer (Priests): Priests started following celibacy around the 4th century, as
mandated by the Council of Elvira in 306 AD and the Council of Carthage in 390 AD
in the Western Church, but it was rarely enforced⁴. In the early Church, celibacy
was highly valued but not mandated. In the 12th century, the promise of celibacy
became formalized in the First Lateran Council in 1123 AD⁵. The promise of
obedience was always observed but became part of priestly ordination later on;
priests were expected to be obedient to their superior, the bishop. Priests were
celibate for several reasons: the imitation of Christ in His celibate life,
remaining unmarried lets priests devote themselves entirely to their spiritual
duties and their service to God without the distractions of family life. Celibacy
symbolizes the priest's total commitment to God, focusing on their ministry and the
pastoral care of their parishioners. Celibate priests are more available for their
pastoral obligations, like hosting Mass, hearing confessions, and providing moral
support for their faithful. Celibate priests avoid family issues, like conflicts
and problems that tend to happen. Celibacy allows for there to be a clear
distinction between the clergy and the laity. It shows the unique role priests
play. Celibacy also fosters a sense of community and solidarity among priests, as
they are all celibate. Historically, while celibacy was not required, it was highly
praised.

Conclusion:

Celibacy for priests is rooted in their spiritual duties and their practices. It
shows the priest's commitment to God, improves their ability to help their flock,
and illustrates the unique role of the priesthood. While celibacy remains a
requirement for the Church, people have tried to contest it over time, but it still
remains to this day.

Ave Maria.
Citation Links:
1. Jesus and Celibacy
2. Philippians 2:7-8
3. Matthew 19:16-22
4. Council of Elvira
5. First Lateran Council

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