[sinkspur]

He that can take it, let him take it.

Yes. But Christ never mandated celibacy for his apostles.

Chastity is not celibacy. Even married people are called to chastity.

[AAABEST]

At least you are trying to stick to ideas, let's make a habit of it. Please.

Christ never mandated celibacy, He just taught us it was prudent and the path our clergy should take, and said so Himself in the Gospels many times.

We as a church correctly defer to Him and His divine wisdom, as opposed to other expedient and worldly best laid plans.

[Blessed Charlemagne]

Could you explain to me, perhaps, what it is that has suddenly caused a shortage in celebate males to the priesthood? It seemed to work quite well for quite a long time. Actually, come to think of it, traditional seminaries are overflowing with celebate male candidates for the priesthood.
So, again, the question must be posed. Why is the novus ordo system lacking what the catholic faith had for nearly 2,000 years: men willing to renounce everything to serve God?
It is well established that it worked prior to the "Great Council" quite well, it is well established that it is working even today in traditional orders. Is there something about the Novus Ordo, or a message the average person in the pew gets from attending the novus ordo, that discourages self-sacrifice for the sake of God?

[Conservative til I die]

Yes. But Christ never mandated celibacy for his apostles.

You're employing Protestant debate methods.

You know better than that. The Church is what Christ left as His teaching authority on Earth. The Church has said that celibacy is what is required. It hasn't always required it, but most of the time it has.

The issue is not whether it's dogma or discipline. Everyone (at least those with any relevance) understand it to be discipline, and the issue is one of responding to a "crisis" of decreasing vocations.

The argument of "Christ never mandated it" is a red herring.