Some of the early Church Fathers (e.g. Jerome) maintained that the married Apostles, including Peter, gave up marital relations with their wives after being cal

Some of the early Church Fathers (e.g. Jerome) maintained that the married Apostles, including Peter, gave up marital relations with their wives after being called by Christ, i.e. they practiced perpetual (or "perfect") sexual continence from that time forward. Celibacy developed later, as a safeguard for those called to exercise the same "apostolic continence".