# Celibacy ## Catechism of the Catholic Church The state or condition of those who have chosen to remain unmarried for the sake of the kingdom of heaven in order to give themselves entirely to God and to the service of his people. In the Latin Church, celibacy is obligatory for bishops and priests. In some Eastern Churches, celibacy is a prerequisite for the ordination only of bishops; priests may not marry after they have been ordained ([[2.2.3.6.p4x#^ccc-1579|1579]], [[2.2.3.6.p4x#^ccc-1580|1580]]). ## Ignatius Catholic Study Bible **Celibacy** Jesus' teaching regarding celibacy for the kingdom of God: [[matthew-19#^matthew-19-11|Mt 19:11-12, 29-30]]; [[mark-10#^mark-10-29|Mk 10:29-31]]; [[luke-18#^luke-18-29|Lk 18:29-30]] Paul's teaching regarding his preference for celibacy and its advantages: [[1-corinthians-07#^1-corinthians-07-7|1 Cor 7:7, 38]] Resurrected life involves celibate life: [[matthew-22#^matthew-22-30|Mt 22:30]]; [[mark-12#^mark-12-25|Mk 12:25]]; [[luke-20#^luke-20-34|Lk 20:34-36]] Specially-consecrated followers of Jesus: [[revelation-14#^revelation-14-4|Rev 14:4]] ### Sources [[index-of-doctrines|Index of Doctrines]]