[sinkspur]

One could also argue that insofar as it is a VERY long-standing tradition, affirmed in writing around 300 AD, that it has the force of permanent law.

Law? It's a discipline. If it were a law, there wouldn't be any exceptions to it, would there?

[Mike Fieschko]

If it were a law, there wouldn't be any exceptions to it, would there?

Canon Law allows 'exceptions', sometimes called 'derogations'. When made/issued/permitted, they can be accomplished, for example, through indults.

For example, when we in the United States kneel at Mass from the 'ecce Agnus Dei' ('this is the Lamb of God'), it's because the US bishops requested and received an 'indult' from the posture prescribed in the General Instruction. Other countries don't kneel from that point on.

[ninenot]

One of the very neat things about Catholicism is that everything is based on common sense. Anglican priests who convert to Catholicism and become ordained are allowed to retain their wives/families--it's common sense.

However, I do NOT recall any authoritative account stating that the Anglo/catholic priests continue sexual congress with their wives. Do you??