I think allowing men who have married but who now feel a call to the priesthood to join would help to convey to parishioners that the same values they hold with regard to family, are held by the priest, and reassure them the priest is not a wolf in sheeps clothing.
Further it would be in line with ancient tradition.
Again, you are speaking in generalities. Allow me to cite a specific example. Several years ago, my pastor died and was replaced by a younger priest who was manifestly 'light in the loafers'. He took his time before implementing any changes but did so slowly and methodically. He had an excellent decorating style and everyone 'oohed and aahed' over the minor transformations. He created a very welcoming environment and the parish began to grow.
Cognizant of certain plans he had to introduce 'liturgical dance', I confronted him and the CCD Director, giving them documents to substantiate the fact that liturgical dance is banned. He tried to persuade me that this was 'liturgical movement'; I wrote to the diocsan office. In their initial response, they threw their support behind his terminology of 'liturgical movement'. Still not persuaded, I wrote back, citing Sacrosanctum Conciliam - "every catholic is entitled to a valid liturgy". That was the key that shut down the dance.
Inspired by this confidence, I moved on to other liturgical abuses that I witnessed each week. I even tried to enroll the support of more 'orthodox' parishioners. They all loved this priest and stood behind him, abuse and all. After watching a EEM drop a consecrated host on the ground, I asked Him to guide me to a holy man, a reverent liturgy and a welcoming community.
I found it in a local Maronite Catholic Church. Our pastor is bi-ritual (Maronite and Latin). You will find him up ladders repairing the church roof, fixing the plumbing, visiting the sick, saying mass during the week at the priestless diocesan parishes, in order to consecrate a sufficient number of hosts for their weekend priestless services. He is as straight as they come, celibate, Eastern and a tireless worker in the vineyard. When I discovered this church, I began spreading the "good news". Truth be told, many catholics don't want to hear orthodox homilies and our pastor refuses to serve up the pablum scooped out at the RC parishes. Our parish is small and shrinking; the other one is large and growing.
As I mentioned above, one's personal orientation has nothing to do with it.
Homosexuality is a sin, plain and simple.
If someone is routinely practicing that sin, and to boot not confessing it, they are an unrepentant sinner commiting an abominal sin. They are not fit to preach if they are intent to throw sand in the eyes of God.
Homosexuals should be welcomed to the church to confess before god and truly try to change their ways, not to desecreate a holy place by commiting homosexual acts in church, the rectory etc.
Further with regard to generalities.
The general public perception is very important, it is keeping people home on Sunday who used to and would like to attend church. It is closing churches due to low attendance and high costs of finding clergy. Further it is causing folks once devoutly Catholic to consider a move to a non catholic church.
Benedict has been firm from the top in that homosexuality and the priesthood do not go together but little has come from the various dioses to confirm they to beleive this, and it is hurting the church, and turning away the faithful.
If all Catholics are entitled to a valid liturgy certainly they should also be entitled to one led by someone other than an unrepentant sinner.
If the Catholic church is to remain a powerful institution doing the work of God it is critical that the faithful not be afraid of the clergy, that they have confidence that the priest is indeed a man of God.
If, in keeping with ancient tradition, there is a way to attract good priests into the priesthood who will uphold the liturgy why not cease upon it?
I have great respect for the Catholic church, and it's ability to do the work of God, and I am quite worried for the future of the church because of the scandalous behavior which has been publicised. Benedict has shown that clearly the church in Rome has not faltered but parts abroad have. When I went to Catholic school the average class size was 12, I worry whether there will still be Catholic schools left when my Children are old enough for school.
I think it matters surpemely whether the church in Rome can continue the same tradition abroad and whether the faithful in need of such a church can find it, and are welcomed to it.
The fault is in bishops who ignore the very meaning of their titles.
A question for you, NYer. I've noticed that the eastern Catholic churches in the U.S. seem to have more priests per capita...by a significant margin....than the RCC.
What is your observation?
Reason I point it out is that most of the eastern Catholic churches in the US do NOT have married clergy at this point. It might be that celibacy has not so much to do with the actual number of vocations.
I need to think on this and maybe research it, but what has your experience been?