Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction: For the sake of the kingdom of heaven : shaping the celibacy debate -- If there is one faith, there must be one tradition : clerical celibacy and marriage in the early church -- Preserving the ancient rule and apostolic perfection : celibacy and marriage in East and West -- A concubine or an unlawful woman : celibacy, marriage, and the Gregorian reform -- In marriage they will live more piously and honestly : debating clerical celibacy in the pre-Reformation church -- The whole world and the devil will laugh : clerical celibacy and married priests in the Age of Reformation -- Contrary to the state of their order and the laudable customs of the church : clerical celibacy in the Catholic Church after the Reformation -- Conclusion: One of the chief ornaments of the Catholic clergy : celibacy in the modern church.

Electronic reproduction. Palo Alto, Calif. : ebrary, 2011. Available via World Wide Web. Access may be limited to ebrary affiliated libraries.