Doesn't celibacy in the priesthood go back to the council of Trent? 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. 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. Other priests say they would like to be married, but their calling to the priesthood is stronger. 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) =)
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!