Clerical Celibacy in the West: c.1100-1700

By Helen Parish

The issue of clerical celibacy has played a long and profound role in the history of the Christian church. From the first Christian centuries to the present day, the question of whether clergy should be allowed to marry has attracted a vast amount of theological attention and debate. Yet despite the acknowledged importance of this issue, there have been few attempts to present an objective and historical study of the origins and development of clerical celibacy. In order to address this lacuna, Dr Parish offers a reassessment of the history of sacerdotal celibacy, examining the emergence and evolution of the celibate priesthood in the Latin church from the beginning of the twelfth to the end of the seventeenth centuries. Around this core area of study, the book also considers the influence of the early apostolic church and the example of the Greek church.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0754639495
• ISBN13: 9780754639497
• Release Date: June 2013
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 294 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.3"