Blog Post
Celibate Love is Loving All People
By: Paul Paiva
Published: 4/16/2020
God is love, and you who abide in love abide in God, and God in you, 1 John 4:16
Years ago when I was a priest, I was a committed celibate. I was taught that celibacy goes far beyond not marrying. Rather, it is a call to love everyone. In marriage, your love for your spouse and children is your top priority; after them, you are called to love all others. Celibate love is a call to love all people, with equal priority.
To love deeply is to share intimacy. That is our Christian calling. Celibates, those who are dating, resting singles, and married persons - we are all called to intimacy with our fellow humans. We may (and will) fall short of this mandate, but this is our goal.
Our journey with the Lord is a call to deeper intimacy, whether you are married or celibate. As such, we abide in God, and God in us. And that is loving deeply.