Chastity Vs. Celibacy

[saintwannab7]

I thought I had a good understanding of chastity and celibacy. I was pretty sure that chastity was like purity whereas celibacy was from that point foward, abstaining from sex forever. Now I am not so sure and would like some clarification from who (or is it whom? grammar is not my forte') would like to give some to me. Thanks.

[Adeodatus]

I'll try and be as brief and as clear as I can.

Celibacy: remaining single. Anyone who is not married (i.e. has never been married) is celibate. Whether one is a virgin or actively promiscuous, being unmarried means you are 'celibate'. (So celibacy by itself doesn't mean much)

Continence: sexual continence means 'not having sex' (& actually 'not engaging in ANY sexual activity). A married couple might be 'continent' for whatever reason (e.g. illness) Unmarried people should be sexually continent (but, as we shall see, that's not enough)

Chastity: a virtue given by God. Everyone is called to chastity, married or unmarried. Chastity involves embracing God's gift of sexuality for us. For married people it means having good, loving sex open to new life. For unmarried people, it involves not having sex yet (while not being obsessed by sex or having an unnatural fear of sex), and loving other people in chaste and untroubled friendships.

All are called to be chaste. Priests, nuns, religious are called to 'celibate chastity' (and not just 'celibacy').