The sex scandals (with extremely rare exceptions) have nothing to do with celibacy. They have to do with homosexuality. It's not celibacy that leads men to hit on adolescent boys, almost universally.
"The sex scandals (with extremely rare exceptions) have nothing to do with celibacy. They have to do with homosexuality. It's not celibacy that leads men to hit on adolescent boys, almost universally."
You are right. But TC, the fact is that the celibate priesthood has attracted homosexuals in proportions rather beyond their presence in the general community. Being out in the world in parishes, as opposed to closed up in a monastery, just provides "opportunities", the "near occassions of sin" for them and some of them act on it. I am not suggesting that for that reason celibacy should be done away with, but making the Latin Rite priesthood less attractive as a "hiding place" for gays seems a good idea.