Editing Celibacy (section)

===After Augustine===
[[File:Bp-priests.jpg|thumb|Catholic priests from all over the world in Budapest, 2013]]
One explanation for the origin of obligatory celibacy is that it is based on the writings of [[Saint Paul]], who wrote of the advantages of celibacy allowed a man in serving the Lord.<ref name="Schreck255">Schreck, p. 255.</ref> Celibacy was popularised by the early Christian theologians like [[Saint Augustine of Hippo]] and [[Origen]]. Another possible explanation for the origins of obligatory celibacy revolves around more practical reason, "the need to avoid claims on church property by priests' offspring".<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/nyregion/22egan.html | work=The New York Times | title=On Eve of Retirement, Cardinal Breathes Life into Debate on Priestly Celibacy | first=Paul | last=Vitello | date=22 March 2009 | access-date=1 April 2010}}</ref> It remains a matter of [[Canon Law]] (and often a criterion for certain [[religious order]]s, especially [[Franciscans]]) that priests may not own land and therefore cannot pass it on to legitimate or illegitimate children. The land belongs to the Church through the local diocese as administered by the Local Ordinary (usually a bishop), who is often an ''[[ex officio]]'' [[corporation sole]]. Celibacy is viewed differently by the Catholic Church and the various Protestant communities. It includes [[clerical celibacy]], celibacy of the [[consecrated life]]<ref>[https://diolc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Priesthood-Consecrated-Life-and-Celibacy.pdf  Diocese of Lacrosse Priesthood, Consecrated Life and Celibacy]</ref> and voluntary celibacy.

The [[Protestant Reformation]] rejected celibate life and sexual continence for preachers. Protestant celibate communities have emerged, especially from [[Anglican]] and [[Lutheran]] backgrounds.<ref>[https://arlyb.org.uk/directory/section-2/ Anglican Religious Life Yearbook, Section 2: Dispersed celibate Religious]</ref><ref>[https://christusbruderschaft.de/de/communitaet/christusbruderschaft-aus-der-regel.php  Communität Christusbruderschaft Selbitz, Aus der Regel]</ref> A few minor Christian sects advocate celibacy as a better way of life. These groups included the [[Shakers]], the [[Harmony Society]] and the [[Ephrata Cloister]].<ref>[http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565340/Celibacy.html Celibacy]. Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2009. [https://web.archive.org/web/20080314174700/http://uk.encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761565340/Celibacy.html Archived] 31 October 2009.</ref>

Many evangelicals prefer the term "abstinence" to "celibacy". Assuming everyone will marry, they focus their discussion on refraining from premarital sex and focusing on the joys of a future marriage. But some evangelicals, particularly older singles, desire a positive message of celibacy that moves beyond the "wait until marriage" message of abstinence campaigns. They seek a new understanding of celibacy that is focused on God rather than a future marriage or a lifelong vow to the Church.<ref>Colon, Christine, and Bonnie Field. Singled Out: Why Celibacy Must Be Reinvented in Today's Church. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos, 2009.</ref>

There are also many Pentecostal churches which practice celibate ministry. For instance, the full-time ministers of the Pentecostal Mission are celibate and generally single. Married couples who enter full-time ministry may become celibate and could be sent to different locations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://wordwillsave.com/cpm/ |title=TPM (CPM) PENTECOSTAL MISSION {{!}} WORD WILL SAVE |last= |website=wordwillsave.com |date=July 2010 |language=en-US |access-date=2018-01-17}}</ref>