Sinkspur,
You wrote: "Odd, isn't it? Married Protestants can be Catholic priests if they convert, but lifelong Catholic men who are married cannot be priests. Makes no sense."
Actually it makes perfect sense. Those outside the Church did not realize their vocation until later in life after joining the church. Also, it helps heal the schisms of the 16th century. It simply has nothing to do with men who were already in the church, already Catholic, already knew they had a vocation and already took a vow of celibacy.
This has nothing to do with priests marrying.
But the idea that the Church can allow married Protestants to convert, be re-ordained as Catholic priests and remain married, but will not, under any circumstances, consider ordaining a married Catholic man is theologically inconsistent.
The Church can do what it wants to do, but it will continue to hemorrhage priests in the west until some group of responsible bishops decides to force the issue.
This latest synod was nothing but three weeks in Rome for 256 bishops. They accomplished nothing.