[al_c]

Just because Cardinal Bernard Law can't control his diocese doesn't mean the entire RCC should make this kind of change.

[anniegetyourgun]

I would agree that this is not the reason to make this change.

[cricket]

"Just because Cardinal Bernard Law can't control his diocese doesn't mean the entire RCC Priests get married. . .so they can get divorced? . . .Commit adultery? . . .

No good reason for Priests to 'go there'. Simply trading one problem; and inviting another.

They can just say "NO" and bear the responsibility of their choices/actions.

[cricket]

oops. . .something missing on the way to posting. . ."second try". . .

"Just because Cardinal Bernard Law can't control his diocese doesn't mean the entire RCC should make this kind of change"

Agree; and why should Priests get married. . .so they can get divorced? . . .Commit adultery? . . .

No good reason for Priests to 'go there'. Simply trading one problem; and inviting another.

They can just say "NO" and bear the responsibility of their choices/actions.

[muir_redwoods]

Celibacy for the priesthood is custom,not dogma. The apostles weren't celibate, Peter had a mother-in-law. The Eastern Rite allows it.

I don't think celibacy leads to pedophilia but I do think the requirement of celibacy attracts a disproportionate number of maladjusted people.

Women too should be allowed into the priesthood. It's a strange and unsupportable notion but factually true that, under the current rules, Richard Speck would have been a more acceptable candidate for the priesthood than Mother Theresa.

[CyberAnt]

Excuse me, but God said, "it's not good for man to be alone". If God thought it was okay for a man to have a spouse, then why isn't it okay for the clergy. I think couples make a great team. My Pastor's wife is critical to his success. And ... this would certainly stop the influx of homosexual males into the priesthood.