Point 1: Celibacy has little to do with vocations. If seminaries didn't discourage orthodox young men from attending, there would be plenty of aspirants to the priesthood. Too many seminaries are still in the grip of modernism.
Point 2: Celibacy doesn't have anything to do with child molesters. There are too many examples of MARRIED child molesters to debunk this notion. In fact, in studies that have been done in the last couple of years, it has been found that the instances of abuse in the Catholic church in America were no more prevalent than instances in other denominations, or in public schools. It also found that other organizations were no more forthcoming about this abuse than the Church was. It just so happened that the Church got tons of press, while the other organizations did not.
"Point 1: Celibacy has little to do with vocations. If seminaries didn't discourage orthodox young men from attending, there would be plenty of aspirants to the priesthood. Too many seminaries are still in the grip of modernism."
I don't know anything about that, but "modernism" is a plague in most Christian churches today. However, I DO know that the Church's rules on priestly celebacy aren't written in stone - the Church made them and the Church can change them. In the distant past priests could marry and in certain eastern rites of the Catholic Church priests were always permitted to marry. Further, the Catholic Church allows married Episcopalian priests who want to join the Catholic Church and become Catholic priests to do so without divorcing.
For a normal, average male, falling in love with a woman, getting married and raising a family is a normal drive. Surpressing that drive, especially in modern society not only creates additional stress on an individual in an already stressful occupation, it discourages men who would otherwise seek a vocation from doing so. Finally, a married clergyman is far better able to provide advice on marital problems and issues than a celebate one - he's already been there.
The Catholic Church will not rise or fall on the issue of celebacy alone, but it will contribute to unneeded stresses at time when it is facing enough problems - as are most mainstream Christian faiths.
"Point 2: Celibacy doesn't have anything to do with child molesters. There are too many examples of MARRIED child molesters to debunk this notion. In fact, in studies that have been done in the last couple of years, it has been found that the instances of abuse in the Catholic church in America were no more prevalent than instances in other denominations, or in public schools. It also found that other organizations were no more forthcoming about this abuse than the Church was. It just so happened that the Church got tons of press, while the other organizations did not."
Ever hear that story of Caesar's wife??
I'm an old guy and I remember when you hardly heard anything at all about this happening. I don't believe this was a on-going problem with the Catholic Church at all times - although as you point out, it was always there as it was present in society in general. However, I feel that the kind of environment provided today in which homosexuality is out of the closet, and the Catholic Church provides a celebate environment, the attraction there for homosexuals is greater than in the general society at large.
If priests were allowed to marry, this would change. More heterosexuals would be drawn to the Church, which would be good for vocations, and there presence there would, by merely their BEING there, discourage homosexual activity. And the overwhelming number of paedohilic cases involve male victims.
Although not all homosexuals are paedophiles, I believe homosexuality is an abnormal perversion, as is paedohilia and they feed upon one another.
By the way, if you check my prior postings, although I am Protestant, you will find I am hardly a Catholic basher. From a theological and dogmatic perspective, there is much I find appealing about Catholicism.