"Do Christ's words, while not diminishing marriage, imply the superiority of celibacy? … [H]e says that it is … exceptional …, not the norm. … [I]t is of special importance for the kingdom. … Paul … [says] that those who choose marriage do 'well,' while those who choose celibacy do 'even better' (1 Cor. 7:38).
"Celibacy is a higher calling because its direct aim is the kingdom of heaven. But this "superiority" in no way diminishes marriage. We must not twist this teaching in a Manichaean direction by devaluing marriage.
"The Manichaean view, which pits the 'spiritual against the 'physical,' degrades the value of the body. Since sex and procreation are undeniably physical,, the Manichaeans believed that marriage was vastly inferior to virginity.
"In the true Christian view, the 'superiority' of celibacy does not lie in abstinence from sexual intercourse. The marital embrace is not evil …. Sexual abstinence is not an end in itself, but a means of fully devoting oneself to God.
"Properly understood, marriage and celibacy explain and complete each [other]. Because the entire community of faith looks forward to the resurrection, even married Christians find special meaning in the witness of celibate believers. …
"Celibacy for the kingdom is not simply a matter of abstaining from marriage. It is a way of life grounded in poverty, chastity, and obedience. …
"If a person takes vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience, does that make him perfect? No — the only measure of perfection is love. Every person, celibate or married, is capable of achieving perfection through love. Vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience are helpful insofar as they help us grow in love. If we follow them to the letter but forget about the spirit behind them, they are empty.
"Marriage and celibacy are also complementary in the area of parenthood. Parenthood always has a spiritual aspect. … Celibate persons are called to become spiritual fathers and mothers, helping younger believers mature in the faith.
""Marriage and celibacy rest on a single foundation: selfless love. Both vocations are conjugal in nature because both are perfected by mutual faithfulness and self-giving. (The celibate person is 'married' to God.) … And both, therefore, are a 'special gift from God' (1 Cor. 7:7)"
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