Everything that has been said is based not only
upon Christian teaching, but also on modern knowledge about man and on the
facts of psychopathology. Christianity has not only established the principle
of monogamy, resolutely condemning polygamy. It has not just made the man-woman
relationship more human and ennobled it. It has also highly elevated the idea
of voluntary celibacy. Jesus Christ said the following about it: "For
there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven’s
sake"; and added: "He who is able to accept it, let him accept
it!" that is, whoever can raise himself to the idea of celibacy for
the sake of virtue, let him follow this path (Matt. 19:12). In the same time, from its very beginning Christianity
condemned any disrespect towards marriage and sanctified matrimony (the miracle
in Cana of Galilee, John 2:1-11) in the sacrament of marriage. Therefore the
principle of celibacy in Christianity is not opposed to marriage, but is a
parallel way of ascending towards God. Through married life as well as through
celibacy man can come to God. Physical purity — whether in a healthy Christian
marriage or in celibacy — is a necessary condition for moral growth as well as
a source of spiritual strength.
Return to the first page
