Sorry, I don't know how to explain it. If God chooses priests (which I no longer believe), wouldn't He give them the gift of celibacy since it is a requirement of the church.God creates all of us and calls all of us to a particular state in life. A vocation. Mine is as a husband and father, the married state. That God has called me to this does not mean He makes me the perfect father or husband. If I am faithful to Him and open to His grace, He will perfect me. But all of us are closed at some times, some more then others. In every group, whether to those with Holy Orders, those married, or those single, there are those that may hear the call well enough to embark on the journey their vocation requires, but stop listening and fall into such a sinful stupor that they no longer hear God’s call, and no longer care to receive His grace. It is not that God does not offer these priests the grace to successfully live a celibate life, it is that they aren’t willing receptacles.
That is free will.
patent +AMDG
For a long time I didn't want married priests. Now I don't know. We aren't supposed to talk about it ;-). But I suppose we must.
Someone made a good point. If the priesthood were opened to married clergy, it would attract better candidates.
It wouldn't have to be an all or none deal. God could still call single men to the priesthood. Why must we make His work so hard by tying His hands so?
Does anyone know why Rome is so against relaxing the "discipline" of celibate priests? Stupid question and I suppose I'll get a stupid answer.
It seems to me that other countries have had their share of scandals of one sort or another, so it isn't just America.