Replies

Forcing celibacy on all who are called to the priesthood cheapens the gift of celibacy, and causes undue temptation in the ranks of those interested in the priesthood.

Practically it makes attracting candidates for priesthood difficult because not all those called toward the priest hood are called toward celibacy.

It is ridiculous to assert that something which is a requirement is a gift.

I suspect for the practical reasons alone, as well as the fact that were it not for mandatory celibacy homosexuals could not have infiltrated the ranks of the priesthood to the extent of having whole homosexual seminaries, that the catholic church will soon relax this 'requirement', and that the gift of celibacy will be properly established as an additional commitment, by those who are called to it, in their dedication of their lives to the church.

Compelling those who are not called to celibacy to promise as much, is an undue burden. It would be no less a burden to force someone unwillingly into the priesthood, they would make no better a priest, and someone not called to celibacy will make no better a celibate; they may make a great priest, but their promise to celibacy will be less genuine, and more prone to being broken.