Spanaway Lori,
You wrote: "Doesn't celibacy in the priesthood go back to the council of Trent?"
Nope. Celibacy in the priesthood started with Jesus. It was common in the early centuries (see for instance, A. Stickler, THE CASE FOR CLERICAL CELIBACY) It became a rule for ordination only in the tenth century for the entire western Church.
"Sorry, been a long time since school. Seriously though, if the church doesn't allow priests to marry soon, we won't have anything left but gay priests."
False. All of the strict, traditionalist orders that insist on celibacy are booming with vocations. FSSP, Legionaries, etc. literally can't build seminary housing fast enough for the number of applicants they get. And married priests are often the ones who support clerical celibacy the most. Look at google.com for articles about that written by Fr. Ray Ryland who is married.
"Now, which of the two have we always been taught is an abomination? I don't think it's marriage. Ask the priests themselves. (I've asked many of them) Some will tell you they have no desire to marry, but that allowing the possibility of marriage would be good for the priesthood."
You need to spend your time with better priests. Try asking some who are orthodox and committed. You'll get a different response.
"Other priests say they would like to be married, but their calling to the priesthood is stronger."
True enough.
"Then there are the ones who have left the priesthood (with or without dispensation) so they could be united with a woman. In the early days of the church, even Popes were married. On a side note: just think of how organized and smoothly parish functions would run with a woman at the side of the pastor. (Other than nuns and secretaries)"
It would be a disaster. It is bad enough already. If you put these ordained men in a position where their wives become a factor in Church politics and decision making it would be a nightmare. Dear God, as much as I love women, preserve us from the monstrous regiment of women in the Church!
Your reply is right on. And, speaking as a woman, I wholeheartedly join in your prayer!
Odd, isn't He the one who selected Peter, a married man? Sounds as if He ended it as well.
If women decided to not participate in Church ministry, or stopped coming to Church, the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church would collapse.
FSSP, Legionaries, etc. literally can't build seminary housing fast enough for the number of applicants they get.
I'll have to look that up. I have a friend in vocations and nobody seems to be beating his door down. Please don't say anything about him not being a good priest. I don't know any bad ones.
The Evangelical Protestant churches are THRIVING with married pastors who have wives and children. These are pro-life conservatives who are Republicans. The gays in the hierarchy of the Catholic church will never give up their power until the shortage of priests becomes a factor.
It has become an exclusive club of men who want to spend their life living with men. Men in favor of celibacy should ask themselves why they didn't become priests.