In Latin Church Catholicism and in some Eastern Catholic Churches, most priests are celibate men. ... In most Orthodox traditions and in some Eastern Catholic Churches men who are already married may be ordained priests, but priests may not marry after ordination.

When did priests stop being able to marry?

The Church was a thousand years old before it definitively took a stand in favor of celibacy in the twelfth century at the Second Lateran Council held in 1139, when a rule was approved forbidding priests to marry.

Why did Catholic priests not marry?

The roots of celibacy requirements go back to Jesus Christ: According to the Bible, he was an unmarried virgin. In the Bible, Jesus is often likened to a bridegroom whose bride is the Church. ... Because of this practice, the Church formally banned the practice of priests marrying about 1,000 years ago, Shea said.