[A.A. Cunningham]

The Church wanted the money and the land, (especially as many who went for the priest-hood came from the merchant or noble classes and were therefore endowed) so the Church instituted celibacy.

Incorrect. The discipline of celibacy and the priesthood in the Church finds it's genesis with Melchisedech in the Old Testament and was practiced and taught by the Apostles. Suggest you study accurate history, as well as Matthew 19:27-30 and Luke 18:28-30 rather than simply regurgitating ignorant urban legends.

"ut quod apostoli docuerunt, et ipsa servavit antiquitas nos quoque custodiamus"

[tiamat]

We aren't going to agree.

I HAVE studied Church history, of several flavors. I can back what I am saying up.

Now *I* am being friendly about this. Why aren't you?

Tia