[Poohbah]

My logic is that largely EXCLUDING the first-hand perspective of married life and family life from the clergy (the exceptions are extremely noteworthy) hasn't done the Church many favors.

[hilaryrhymeswithrich]

I have known priests who have fosterd children,adopted them, mentored them, and a few who have raised their own siblings for a variety of reasons. In addition, there are lay people within the Catholic community to go to in conjunction with a priest, who have this direct experience. I guess I see a Parish as made up of a variety of people, nun,priests, lay people, who offer expertise in a variety of things and are there for the asking.

That being said, I ( and this may freak people out) find that my concern over the rampant homosexuality in seminaries ( and note that I am discussing homosexuality, not pedophilia) leads me to the feeling that I would prefer to see a married priest partaking in holy and loving sexual intimacy than the unholy act of homosexual sex. I am NOT suggesting that one has to happen for the other to stop, I am simply saying I am open to the discussion.

[ELS]

My logic is that largely EXCLUDING the first-hand perspective of married life and family life from the clergy (the exceptions are extremely noteworthy) hasn't done the Church many favors.

Does a psychiatrist need to have first-hand experience of schizophrenia in order to effectively treat a schizophrenic patient? By way of hearing confessions and ministering to many different couples, priests hear and observe all sorts of personal difficulties and situations. As another poster said, human nature is pretty stable. An astute and devout priest will usually get right to the heart of the problem. Unfortunately, there aren't as many of them around as there used to be.