[llama hunter]

sure would make it interesting

the first thing to go is the celibacy only rule for priests, those priests who wish to marry, may, and the rift between the Roman and Orthodox traditions could be finally healed

I did hear this was one of the Pope's greatest disappointments that he was unable to heal the rift

once you allow married priests, the recruitment problem should be solved, the pedophilia problem may be reduced or at least the coverup forgiven and the word of the Church may flourish, a husband and wife team can be more effective in any event

[Fred]

Should the Catholic Church then allow DIVORCED PRIESTS??? SAME SEX MARRIAGE PRIESTS???

[GraceCoolidge]

once you allow married priests, the recruitment problem should be solved, the pedophilia problem may be reduced...

I do not think marriage is a remedy for pedophilia.

[The Iguana]

Clibacy is of course a dicipline, not a doctrine, albeit a discipline with some scriptural justification. There are actually thousands of married Catholic priests right now - mostly Eastern Rite Catholics, who share the Orthodox practice of allowing celibacy as an option. Others are Protestant minister converts given special dispensations to be ordained.

Getting rid of it would solve some problems. It would also create other ones.

I am not necessarily irrevocably opposed to it, but I always urge people to consider the drawbacks before getting too excited.

[7thson]

Pedophilia does not exist in the Catholic church because Priests are celibate. It exists because one of the jobs of Priests is to minister to children. That is why some Priests are pedophiles. Pedophiles gravitate to positions where they will be close to chldren - the clergy, teachers, scout leaders.

[ninenot]

once you allow married priests, the recruitment problem should be solved, the pedophilia problem may be reduced or at least the coverup forgiven and the word of the Church may flourish, a husband and wife team can be more effective in any event

And Nirvana will descend to Earth, making all the residents pleased. There will be no rain except during the night; snow will be beautiful, never bothersome. Cold and heat will not cause suffering of people.

There's no magic bullet, and married priests is NOT a magic bullet.