The point is that married clergy was the norm for the catholic Church until twelfth century. It was concerns about hereditary bishops and the inheritance of Church property that led to mandatory celibacy. Effective holy celibate priests do not deny their sexuality, but state that by sacrificing its exercise, they become more spiritual, better priests and closer to God. Yet the reality is what was written. There are fewer and fewer such priests. The clergy has been corrupted. The Church needs godly heterosexual men and women who can do much good but are unable to suppress forever the moral exercise of their sexuality. It is a difficult subject but it must be confronted.
The notion that married clergy was the norm until the 12th Century is a myth—a piece of propaganda.
PERPETUAL AND PERFECT CONTINENCE has been the norm for deacons, priest, and bishops since the Apostles.
AND IT IS STILL THE LEGAL NORM. That’s right: All the married deacons and married priests (there are no married bishops) who are having sexual relations with their wives are violating Canon Law. And I’m talking about the 1982 Code of Canon Law.