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.
Priestly celibacy wasn't always required—many early Christian priests were married, and the rule was partly instituted to prevent church property from being inherited by priests' children! This created a massive social change, as celibate clergy became a distinct class separate from lay society.
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