Towards Optional Celibacy

Today Catholics understand celibacy to be the calling of somebut not all.They understand Jesus to have advocated celibacy as one of his councils of perfection; not for everyone but specifically those who seek the higher life of the Kingdom of Heaven: Not all men can receive this sayingbut only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by menand there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of Heaven. He who is able to receive this let him receive it.(Matthew 19.12).Jesus advocated for optional celibacy.The married priests support Jesus in advocating for optional celibacy. Many of the early fathers of the church praised the marriage of clergy.At the turn of the third century Clement of Alexandria promoted marriage as a way of salvation for allincluding priestsdeaconsand laity. Making celibacy mandatory for priests raises some problems. As a church mere disciplinecelibacy may fit a priest''s life.But when it becomes mandatory it loses some lustre.Priesthood is a sacrament celibacy is not.The book is good for religious and clergy during formation and after.