by hootsbox

Being raised around Catholics, we were always taught the Peter was the first Pope. However, the more I research the topic, he was not the first "Pope". He was certainly a prominent Apostle, but the other Apostles were prominent as well. If we was the first "Pope", then he was married with children. So, where did the doctrine of forced celibacy originate. The Apostle Paul was celibate, but did not force it upon anyone as a predetermining factor to "ministry" within the Church. Is it right to ask someone, as a pre-condition to be a "minister", to have to choose celibacy? It think that this is erroneous, and it forces goodhearted and well-intentioned people into an un-natural (and in a sense un-Godly") state. It has resulted in some very offensive crimes against many innocent people (mostly young boys).