The practice of abstaining from marriage and sexual relations, especially as required of Catholic priests and other religious officials. In medieval Christianity, celibacy was seen as a path to spiritual purity and devotion.
From Latin 'caelibatus' meaning 'unmarried state,' derived from 'caelebs' (unmarried, single). The requirement for priestly celibacy developed gradually in the early church and was formally mandated for Latin clergy by Pope Gregory VII in the 11th century.
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