Why did the Catholic Church begin the practice of celibacy?

Answer 1

Roman Catholic AnswerShortly after Our Blessed Lord ascended into heaven, He made Himself known to a Jew named Saul. Saul was a very famous convert that wrote many of the books of the New Testament and was a Bishop in the early Church. St. Paul was a celibate and recommended it highly to others. It did not become mandatory in the Church until later. At the beginning of the fourth century, the Spanish Synod of Elvira order married clergy to live in continence. By the first Council of the Lateran in 1123 marriage of the higher clergy was declared not only unlawful but invalid. Although a celibate clergy is required in the Western Church, even in the Eastern Rite, a man to be ordained makes a vow of celibacy and can not marry after he is ordained, although he may be married when he is ordained. Bishops are only chosen from the single or widowed clergy.

The reason for celibacy is grounded in the doctrine of the superior excellence of virginity and has been reinforced by the spiritual and temporal experience of many centuries: by it the clergy are left free for the things of God.