The state of being unmarried; single life, esp. that of a bachelor, or of one bound by vows not to marry.
The state of life one assumes as a religious (or priest) in which he/she promises to refrain from marriage and any sexual relations in order to be consecrated to the service of God and of the Church.
this is a vocation in which one freely chooses to not be married "for the sake of the kingdom of God" (Matthew 19:12). This vocation may be lived as a lay person or in a religious institute publicly recognized by the Church. For priests in the Latin or Roman rite of the Catholic Church, celibacy is required of candidates for the priesthood.
Voluntary abstinence from sexual behavior.
The commitment to remain unmarried and to refrain from sexual relationships. It is part of the vow of chastity traditionally taken by Religious. Chastity is a commitment to sexual integrity, a term applicable to fidelity in marriage as well as to celibacy in Religious Life.
Abstaining from married behaviour and relationships, in particular sexual intercourse.
A contra-evolutionary device adopted by the priesthood to prevent the best genes being passed to the next generation. Compare Polygamy. (But see also Housekeeper)
abstaining from sexual relations (as because of religious vows)
In general, the unmarried state of life; in Christian teaching, celibacy is a vocation in which one freely chooses to be unmarried “for the sake of the Kingdom.†This vocation may be lived out in all forms of life, and is required for those entering religious life or the priesthood.
Church law in the Western Church which forbids married men from becoming priests and once ordained from marrying
choosing to remain single and not have sexual relationships
In the Roman Church, a rule forbidding marriage in the clergy. In the Orthodox Church, those entering the Priesthood cannot marry after being ordained. Orthodox Bishops are chosen from celibates or widowers who have taken monastic vows.
A life style in which there is complete abstinence from sexual thoughts and activity.
A state of abstention from sexual intercourse.
Abstinence from all sexual activity and sexual relations. For some, abstinence from sexual intercourse only.
Abstinence from sexual intercourse. Abstinence from all sexual activity and sexual relations.
Celibacy refers either to being unmarried or to sexual abstinence. A vow of celibacy is a promise not to enter into marriage or engage in sexual intercourse. Celibacy has long been a synonym for abstinence or chastity, with "celibacy" a weightier word implying a commitment or even a vow.
