[WriteOn]

it comes down to the question: "what is the most important thing a priest does?"

If the answer is counseling the married, then you might have a point.

If the answer is acting in person of Christ and leading the celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy, then you have no point.

[sinkspur]

If the answer is acting in person of Christ and leading the celebration of the Eucharist and Liturgy, then you have no point.

He certainly does have a point.

If "acting in the person of Christ" means celibacy is integral to the priesthood, then no priest anywhere would be married.

We know that that is not the case. So "acting in the person of Christ" does not require that the priest himself must be celibate, as Christ was.

[misterrob]

Family is a big part of the church. Divorce is a no no (unless your name is Kennedy/Kerry), to marry in the church requires sessions with a priest, abortion is prohibited as is birth control. One could make an argument that family is the back bone of society and therefor, any active role that a priest plays in that should be weighed against their own experience, IMO. The ceremony and ritualistic aspect of the mass are things that really anyone can do. The sermon, on the other hand, is something that requires the giver to connect with the people listening in. How about a sermon that talks about the lesson the priest learned from his wife or children? How about the sermon that reflected upon God's teaching and how it was applied in the home in the past week? How did lessons from God make the family stronger? Save a marriage or turn a child towards a good decision? And, all from first hand experience and not vicariously through someone else?

[misterrob]

Family is a big part of the church. Divorce is a no no (unless your name is Kennedy/Kerry), to marry in the church requires sessions with a priest, abortion is prohibited as is birth control. One could make an argument that family is the back bone of society and therefor, any active role that a priest plays in that should be weighed against their own experience, IMO. The ceremony and ritualistic aspect of the mass are things that really anyone can do. The sermon, on the other hand, is something that requires the giver to connect with the people listening in. How about a sermon that talks about the lesson the priest learned from his wife or children? How about the sermon that reflected upon God's teaching and how it was applied in the home in the past week? How did lessons from God make the family stronger? Save a marriage or turn a child towards a good decision? And, all from first hand experience and not vicariously through someone else?