Of the Marriage of Priests

1] There has been common complaint concerning the examples of priests who were not

chaste. 2] For that reason also Pope Pius is reported to have said that there were certain

causes why marriage was taken away from priests, but that there were far weightier ones

why it ought to be given back; for so Platina writes. 3] Since, therefore, our priests were

desirous to avoid these open scandals, they married wives, and taught that it was lawful for

them to contract matrimony. First, because 4] Paul says, 1 Cor. 7, 2. 9: To avoid fornication,

let every man have his own wife. Also: It is better to marry than to burn. Secondly 5] Christ

says, Matt. 19, 11: All men cannot receive this saying, where He teaches that not all men are

fit to lead a single life; for God created man for procreation, Gen. 1, 28. 6] Nor is it in man's

power, without a singular gift and work of God, to alter this creation. [For it is manifest, and

many have confessed that no good, honest, chaste life, no Christian, sincere, upright conduct

has resulted (from the attempt), but a horrible, fearful unrest and torment of conscience has

been felt by many until the end.] Therefore, 7] those who are not fit to lead a single life ought

to 8] contract matrimony. For no man's law, no vow, can annul the commandment and

ordinance of God. For these reasons 9] the priests teach that it is lawful for them to marry

wives.

10] It is also evident that in the ancient Church priests were married men. 11] For Paul says, 1

Tim. 3, 2, that a bishop should be chosen who is the husband of one wife. 12] And in

Germany, four hundred years ago for the first time, the priests were violently compelled to

lead a single life, who indeed offered such resistance that the Archbishop of Mayence, when

about to publish the Pope's decree concerning this matter, was almost killed in the tumult

raised by the enraged priests. 13] And so harsh was the dealing in the matter that not only

were marriages forbidden for the future, but also existing marriages were torn asunder,

contrary to all laws, divine and human, contrary even to the Canons themselves, made not

only by the Popes, but by most celebrated Synods. [Moreover, many God‐fearing and

intelligent people in high station are known frequently to have expressed misgivings that

such enforced celibacy and depriving men of marriage (which God Himself has instituted and

left free to men) has never produced any good results, but has brought on many great and

evil vices and much iniquity.)

14] Seeing also that, as the world is aging, man's nature is gradually growing weaker, it is well

to guard that no more vices steal into Germany.

15] Furthermore, God ordained marriage to be a help against human infirmity. 16] The

Canons themselves say that the old rigor ought now and then, in the latter times, to be

relaxed because of the weakness of men; which it is to be wished were done also in this

matter. 17] And it is to be expected that the churches shall at some time lack pastors if

marriage is any longer forbidden.

18] But while the commandment of God is in force, while the custom of the Church is well

known, while impure celibacy causes many scandals, adulteries, and other crimes deserving

the punishments of just magistrates, yet it is a marvelous thing that in nothing is more cruelty

exercised than against 19] the marriage of priests. God has given commandment to honor

marriage. By the laws of all 20] well‐ordered commonwealths, even among the heathen,

marriage is most highly honored. 21] But now men, and that, priests, are cruelly put to death,

contrary to the intent of the Canons, for no other cause than 22] marriage. Paul, in 1 Tim. 4,

3, calls that a doctrine of devils which forbids marriage. 23] This may now be readily

understood when the law against marriage is maintained by such penalties.

24] But as no law of man can annul the commandment of God, so neither can it be done by

any vow. 25]Accordingly, Cyprian also advises that women who do not keep the chastity they

have promised should marry. His words are these (Book I, Epistle XI): But if they be unwilling

or unable to persevere, it is better for them to marry than to fall into the fire by their lusts;

they should certainly give no offense to their brethren and sisters.

26] And even the Canons show some leniency toward those who have taken vows before the

proper age, as heretofore has generally been the case.