[Robert_Paulson2]

What I DON'T understand is where some Roman Catholics, believe that married priests, lead to homosexuality and abortion being accepted, as if these are all somehow linked theologically in the Church's teaching.

Weren't at least some of the Pope's married?
Wasn't celibacy actually introduced as a way of dealing with inheritance of Church property and wealth?

It's not like marriage is unclean or some unholy or defiled state of existence... is it?

[Mark in the Old South]

Re: "Wasn't celibacy actually introduced as a way of dealing with inheritance of Church property and wealth?"

No it wasn't. The above is a modern myth. Find a source for that, that isn't from the modern era (which starts just prior to the Protestant era). Used to be only Protestants would claim this, perhaps only Protestants still do.

[sittnick]

What I DON'T understand is where some Roman Catholics, believe that married priests, lead to homosexuality and abortion being accepted, as if these are all somehow linked theologically in the Church's teaching.

Few good Catholics actually believe that a change in a DISCIPLINE, (even an ancient one) could lead the Church into a formal acceptance of perverted genital behaviour and murder. Eastern Rite Catholic Priests can be married, so it is not absolute. Reconciled Lutheran and Anglican priests are frequently allowed to continue to make use of the marital faculties. However, if his wife dies, no remarriage.

Weren't at least some of the Pope's married?

Well, we know that the Pope Peter had been married, because his mother-in-law is mentioned. His wife may have passed away. There is no record of her. There is no record of any of the early popes being married and not widowed at the time of their ascension to the papacy. I believe to this day, even the Eastern Orthodox do not allow their married priest to become bishops. Keep in mind, that being Pope in Rome in the first three centuries was pretty much like being Salman Rushdie dropped into Mecca today. It always meant martyrdom. In any event, there is no record or oral tradition of a pope making use of the rights of marriage.

Wasn't celibacy actually introduced as a way of dealing with inheritance of Church property and wealth?

No. But I would love to hear the source for such a libel.

It's not like marriage is unclean or some unholy or defiled state of existence... is it?

Good golly no! My wife and I are celebrating our eighth year of Holy Matrimony today, and we know it to be a Sacrament: What God hath joined let NO MAN put asunder. That is not merely a concession for dirty impulses, that is a high and noble thing. Now, is it BETTER to consecrate your whole self to Christ if you are called to it? Of course. St. Paul makes clear the advantages of a remaining free to devote yourself to such things.

In many ways, human marriage is analagous to a spiritual marriage between Christ and His Church. That is why Our Lord so often talks about wedding feasts and worked his first miracle, making excellent wine at a wedding. Our Lord promises those who get married to be given the graces to fulfill the duties of their state of life. It is so good, so uplifting, that you cannot wriggle out of it. It is not merely a "contract" betwen a man and a woman, any such contract could be dissolved through mutual agreement. Christian marriage is a solemn vow made to the Almighty Himself, the priest is simply a witness. In our church, families with eight children and more are not uncommon, these folks are obviously not shy about embracing marriage as a Holy state of existence.