Also,I can't understand why Episcopal priests who convert to Catholicism and become Catholic priests are allowed to serve as priests and remain married yet no other priests are.
Well, if the Pope wants a re-union of east and west the Orthodox practice of allowing married clergy and the acceptance of divorce in some cases have to be addressed. I don't think the Orthodox will change on these issues so does that mean the Latins will change?
Not every Episcopal or Lutheran clergy who converts to Roman Catholicism is ordained. Many seek ordination and few of those are selected; less than 1,000 worldwide since Pope John Paul IIs 1980 Pastoral Provision, which stated in part:
"the Holy See has specified that this exception to the rule of celibacy is granted in favor of these individual persons, and should not be understood as implying any change in the Church's conviction of the value of priestly celibacy, which will remain the rule for future candidates for the priesthood from this group."
You probably also don't realize that prior to ordination, said converts must agree to adopt the discipline of celibacy for the remainder of their lives should their spouse precede them in death.
You have missed the point. Celibacy is not the issue, especially considering that Protestant churches are having similar shortages and sexual scandals (even if they are not publicized).
The problems are these:
-often, it is seen as a "waste of talent"
-the monetary rewards are few (a special problem for supporting a family)
-parents often pressure young men for grandchildren (especially if he is the only son)
-parents often want their children to be able to care for them in old age; this isn't always a possibility for the clergyman.
The solutions are to pray for more priests and encourage young men that may be suited for ministry to seek it. The problem is that there is little encouragement; so many Catholics want priests and Sacraments and a Mass in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Polish, etc... but they never want to give their sons, nephews, or grandsons to be priests.
Teach young men the faith, without watering it down, without feminizing it, teach them to be holy... the Faith unadulterated will draw men to be priests.
I know this from my own experience. I am currently discerning a vocation to the priesthood, but this never was something that I considered UNTIL I took my Faith seriously. The thought of giving up a chance of having a wife and children is something that I struggled with... but then I think what I'm considering... it's celibacy for the sake of the Kingdom!
Also,I can't understand why Episcopal priests who convert to Catholicism and become Catholic priests are allowed to serve as priests and remain married yet no other priests are.
This is a PRIVILEGE given to these men, because they did not have the opportunity to discern a vocation to the priesthood until after they were married (by virtue of their not being in the Church). If my understanding is correct, someone who is baptized in the Catholic Church and leaves then returns as a former Protestant minister is not given that opportunity.
Nobody has the right to be a priest except for Christ. When He instituted the Sacrament of Holy Orders, he gave men the privilege to share in His Priesthood, and He gave the Church the task of helping men to discern. For this reason, a man cannot say definitively "I have a vocation to the priesthood" unless the Church can substantiate it.
IIRC, there are even single parishes that have produced more seminarians than some whole dioceses.
Since they all have the same celibacy requirement, it looks like other factors are at work here. I daresay that the dioceses most successful in attracting ordinands, are the ones who offer a strongly clear-cut fidelity to the teachings of the Church, loyalty to the Pope, and a highly "defined" role for its priests (without the blurred lines of a laicized clergy and clericalized laity.)
If any FReepers can help me find these comparative diocesan statistics, I'd be much obliged.