Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy

by S. J. Christian Cochini

Publisher:

Ignatius

, 2002

Overview

Fr. Christian Cochini, S.J. examines the question of when the tradition of priestly celibacy began in the Latin Church, and he is able to trace it back to its origins with the apostles. He examines evidence about the marital status of every known bishop, priest or deacon of the period and gives an exhaustive list of married clerics from apostolic times until the end of the seventh century, a list that includes not only the Western Church, but the East and also the Nestorian, Novatian and Pelagian Church. Then Cochini examines the relevant Church documents for the same period, including council and synod documents, papal letters, ecclesial and even secular legislation as it relates to the problem. He also provides a survey of scholarly literature on the topic.

This is the definitive scholarly statement on the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Church East and West. What Cochini shows through patristic sources and conciliar documentation is that from the beginning of the Church, although married men could be priests, they were required to vow to celibacy before ordination, meaning they intended to live a life of continence. He provides extensive documentation, a bibliography and an index.

"This work is of the first importance. It is the result of serious and extensive research. There is nothing even remotely comparable to this work in this whole century."

-Henri Cardinal de Lubac

Key Features

• Examines the question of when the tradition of priestly celibacy began in the Latin Church.
• Explores evidence about the marital status of every known bishop, priest or deacon of the period.
• Gives an exhaustive list of married clerics from apostolic times until the end of the seventh century.

Contents

• Foreword
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Abbreviations
• Part One: Historical and Methodological Approaches
• Chapter One: Defining the Problem: Does Clericl Celibacy Go back to the Apostles?
• Chapter Two: The State of the Issue
• Chapter Three: Methodological Precisions
• Chapter Four: The Issue of the Apostles’ Marriages
• Chapter Five: Instances of Clerics Who Were Married and Family Men during the First Seven Centuries of the Church
• Part Two: Basic Patristic Records on Priestly Celibacy-Continence
• Section A: From the Origins to the Year 390
• Conclusion of Section A
• Section B: From the Year 390 to the End of the 7th Century
• Conclusion of Section B
• General Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Index

Praise for Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy

This work is of the first importance. It is the result of serious and extensive research. There is nothing even remotely comparable to this work in this whole century.

—Henri Cardinal de Lubac

Product Details

• Title: Apostolic Origins of Priestly Celibacy
• Author: S. J. Christian Cochini
• Publisher: Ignatius
• Print Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 492
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• ISBNs: 9780898709513, 0898709512
• Resource ID: LLS:PSTLCRGNSPCLBCY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-04T18:41:27Z

About Christian Cochini, S. J.