How do Catholic priests remain celibate?

After another sex scandal involving a senior member of the Catholic Church, questions are again being asked about celibacy. Is it realistic for someone to permanently go without sex? Celibacy does not mean abstinence. read more

Celibacy is one of three vows taken by religious (I am a consecrated Religious living my vows for almost ten years now) the other two being poverty and obedience. Diocesan priests do not make vows, but they do make promises of celibacy and obedience to their bishop. read more

"Obligatory celibacy and the church's official teaching on human sexuality are at the root of the worst crisis the Catholic Church has faced since the time of the Reformation," writes Father Richard McBrien, professor of theology at Notre Dame in the Foreword of a new landmark book "Celibacy in Crisis," by A.W. Richard Sipe. read more

Celibacy is one of the most widely recognized characteristics of a Roman Catholic priest. But though it is well known, celibacy itself is often misunderstood. Technically, celibacy is the commitment not to marry. In the Latin (Roman) Catholic Church, it is a prerequisite for ordination to the priesthood. read more