This old Roman Catholic doctrine/tradition/rite was brought back by Pope Paul VI in 1970. It is another one of those unbiblical ideas where Rome seeks to deny people the right to marry.
The following information is from an old article on MSNBC internet news, which I had printed out and put in my file on Roman Catholicism. I think people should know about such unbiblical Catholic nonsense of declaring oneself as a perpetual virgin for Christ.
Because the article says This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed, I am just going to give some basic information/quotes and you can read the story at the linked site.
To begin with, the ritual is supposedly one of the oldest rituals of the RCC and can be performed only by a bishop. It is supposedly a “mystical marriage” to Christ and includes wearing a wedding dress and a “wedding ring.”
To show just how deceived these women are with RCC teachings, the woman interviewed in the article said, "It is a good and holy thing to want to be in a virginal state.”
Where does she find this in the Bible? Throughout Scripture it is marriage which is considered sacred (Heb. 13:4, e.g.). Chastity is right and moral for those who are unmarried, but to hold one’s virginity as something holy, and to suggest that one can marry Christ (even just “mystically”) is rank nonsense from a wild imagination, let alone downright blasphemous.
This teaching and ritual is just another example of how far the Roman Catholic Church has strayed from the teachings of Christ.
(Google “Consecrated Virgin and look at all the photos of the “brides” — so very sad.)
You sure have some interesting things in your files, Glenn.
ReplyDelete1 Cor 7:7 states that single hood for Christ is a gift, as is marriage. Neither state is more sanctified or holy than the other. Same chapter vs 32-34 talk about the differences between single hood and marriage, with respect to the matter of dedicated devotion to the Lord. Which avenue one chooses is between that person and Christ, but an idol can easily be made out of either state of being (marriage or single hood).
Forbidding marriage is a doctrine of demons (1 Tim 4:3). Furthermore, Scripture also says 1 Cor 7:9 it is best to marry if one does not have self control.
That said, if one is single for Christ, like you said, there's nothing mystical about it, and it certainly does not require any special vows.
Obviously, the RCC 's teaching in these matters is askew. This ceremony is bizarre for sure. No individual human being can "marry" Christ. The true church is His bride, but it is comprised of all born-again believers from the entire church age.
I did find the woman's last comment in the article puzzling.
-Carolyn
Fascinating article Glen. Thank-you for educating me; simply astounding false doctrines.
ReplyDeleteMartha
It's in the Gospel of Matthew Chapter 19 where he talks about living like a eunuch.
ReplyDeleteLane Media
ReplyDeleteAll you've done is practice eisegesis with the text of Matthew 19:12.
The context is firstly about men. Men who renounce marriage for the kingdom of Heaven; i.e. who are actively working some ministry. It has nothing to do with "marrying" Christ.