I read somewhere, perhaps on this site, that the church banned marriage in order to prevent priests from having kids. No kids means no inheritance, so the priests' property would instead pass to the church after their death.
Specifically, from having kids born in wedlock, who could legally inherit their property. Having bastards was fine by them, and the church actually has a secret fund to pay alimony for kids fathered by priests until this day.
I read somewhere, perhaps on this site, that the church banned marriage in order to prevent priests from having kids. No kids means no inheritance, so the priests' property would instead pass to the church after their death.
Specifically, from having kids born in wedlock, who could legally inherit their property. Having bastards was fine by them, and the church actually has a secret fund to pay alimony for kids fathered by priests until this day.
That absolutely tracks. Thank you!