[wideawake]

There is no need to reevaluate celibacy. The arguments for the discipline are well-known, and the weak, self-serving arguments against it are also well-known.

If it bothers a celibate priest to have a married formerly Episcopal or Lutheran colleague, then he needs to think about his lack of charity.

[markedman]

Actually, it was the weak combined with self-serving interests that led to celibacy in the first place.

[Milly]

I'm in a parish with two celibate priests and two married priests . No Problems.

[Diva]

If it bothers a celibate priest to have a married formerly Episcopal or Lutheran colleague, then he needs to think about his lack of charity.

Every priest I know would most likely feel sorry for the poor married fellow. : )

[phatus maximus]

You're totally right!!...I mean those married men, like Moses, David, Noah, Jacob, Isaac, Peter could NEVER be devoted to God...you've nailed it dead on!

Meanwhile the gay priests the RCC in America has ignored for the last 40 years are WAYYYYYY more devoted because they took their vows of celibacy...What was I thinking in my viewpoint of this all this time!

Ok, I'm being a bit sarcastic and outlandish, but the point is this...men both married and not married are just that...men. They will be weak and sinful and lust, lie, cheat, drink too much and do things that displeases God...they CANNOT do otherwise because they are men...Do they do their best not to--I'd would say most do...however, would you not agree there are aweful priests who are celibate and at the same time aweful married ministers? So which is worse or better? Neither, that's the point...

What I can't fathom is why the RCC insists that a man who is celibate ALWAYS will be more devoted to serving God and his parish...My pops is a Lutheran minister and he's as devoted and faithful to his calling as any clergyman you will meet...He always fulfilled his parishes needs first before our families needs...it is possible to be married and at the same time be a loyal servant who is dedicated to the call of God...Why this is so strongly refused by the RCC (unless they are converts, which to me is completely ironic) I will never understand no matter how many times the explanations are delivered...

I know you disagree and I respect your opinion, I just can't seem to find a convincing reason why I would look at it from your perspective and see my perspective as 1)unscriptural and 2) outside of RCC tradition--as I'm sure you're well aware there were married bishops, priests for many years...

Blessings in Christ...