--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion…" description: "\"Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion. Someone is accepted as a priest only when he does it of his own accord.\" — Pope Benedict XVI" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/pope-benedict-xvi-414_accepted_celibacy-is-not-a-matter-of-compulsion-s_941381.jpg" --- # Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion. Someone is… ![“Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion. Someone is accepted as a priest only when he does it of his own accord.” quote by Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/pope-benedict-xvi-414_accepted_celibacy-is-not-a-matter-of-compulsion-s_941381.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/pope-benedict-xvi-414_accepted_celibacy-is-not-a-matter-of-compulsion-s_941381.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec2/pope-benedict-xvi-414_accepted_celibacy-is-not-a-matter-of-compulsion-s_941381.jpg) > “Celibacy is not a matter of compulsion. Someone is accepted as a priest only when he does it of his own accord.” [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Celibacy is a voluntary, conscious commitment, not forced coercion. **In simple terms:** Celibacy is chosen, not forced. Key Takeaway Respect personal choice in religious vows. Themes celibacy voluntary faith Mood reflective serene Type theological philosophical When to use this quote - priestly vocation - spiritual discernment - ethical counseling Key Concepts theology personal autonomy religious commitment Questions to Reflect On - Why is voluntary celibacy valued? - How does freedom affect spiritual practice? A Different Perspective Societal pressure may blur perception of choice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepted/) [Accepted Priest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepted-priest-1610958/) [Accord](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accord/) [Celibacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celibacy/) [Celibacy Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celibacy-matter-1610957/) [Compulsion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion/) [Compulsion Accepted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compulsion-accepted-1610959/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Matter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matter/) [Priest Does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priest-does-1610960/) [Priests](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/priests/) ## Related quotes > [The vow of celibacy is a matter of keeping one's word to Christ and the Church. a duty and a proof of the priest's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-john-paul-ii/the-vow-of-celibacy-is-a-matter-of-keeping-one-s-word-to-christ-and/) [Pope John Paul II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-john-paul-ii/) > [“We priests are in some ways a sad group of men. Born into the world to render service to mankind, there is no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shusaku-endo/we-priests-are-in-some-ways-a-sad-group-of-men-born-into-the-world-to/) [Shūsaku Endō](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shusaku-endo/) > [“The priest accepted me, I accepted the priest, so everything went off smoothly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/the-priest-accepted-me-i-accepted-the-priest-so-everything-went-off/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [That's why real awareness always leads you beyond sex, and celibacy happens on its own accord. Because to be in sex you have either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/that-s-why-real-awareness-always-leads-you-beyond-sex-and-celibacy/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [A world filled with temptations needs priests who are totally dedicated to their mission. 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