Sacerdotalis caelibatus
| Sacerdotalis caelibatus Latin : Of the celibate priesthood Encyclical letter of Pope Paul VI |
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| Date | 24 June 1967 |
| Argument | About the celibacy of the priesthood |
| Encyclical number | 6 of 7 of the pontificate |
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Sacerdotalis caelibatus (Latin for "Of priestly celibacy") is an encyclical written by Pope Paul VI. It defends the Catholic Church's tradition of clerical celibacy in the West. The encyclical was dated 24 June 1967.
This encyclical was written in the wake of the Second Vatican Council, when the Catholic Church was questioning and revising many long-held practices. Priestly celibacy is a practice rather than required dogma, and many at the time had expected that it might be relaxed together with other practices.
In response to these questions, the pope reaffirms the teaching as a long-held practice with special importance in the Catholic Church.
Paul VI begins the encyclical by considering arguments against celibacy for the priesthood. Among these, he lists:
In response to these, Paul VI brings as witness the value of celibacy testified by many religious in the Church throughout the world, in many times and locations. Paul goes on to reaffirm the law of celibacy as something that should be continued: "Hence We consider that the present law of celibacy should today continue to be linked to the ecclesiastical ministry."
Paul VI agrees that the priestly life and the celibate life are distinguishable, but he affirms the authority of the Church's magisterium to determine the conditions under which the priesthood may be granted to its members:
Much of the encyclical is spent discussing reasons why Paul VI believes that celibacy in the priesthood is of value for the Church. Among these, he lists:
The Pope then very briefly outlines the history of celibacy in the Church, tracing its support in the West to the 4th century. He also recalls its confirmation in later Church councils.
Paul VI notes that although non-celibates may be ordained as priests in the Orthodox Church, they only ordain as bishops priests who are celibates. He also mentions that in the East, once ordained as priests, men are no longer allowed to marry.
While affirming the importance of celibacy as a general law in the Catholic Church, the Pope nevertheless allows that married persons who enter the Church from other traditions may in some cases be ordained as priests. He emphasizes, however, that this must not be understood as a relaxation of the law, nor as a first step to its abolition.
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