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"How is unfaithfulness to their vow to the Church any kind of insult against priests?" I think you have a good question there. From the priests I know, the motive for entering the priesthood was "service to the people of God" They accepted the discipline of celibacy because they truly and in many cases rightly believed it would help them be more effective as priests. The secular priest does not take a vow, any vow, and celibacy is not seen as an end in itself but a means to an end. ( Priests in Religious orders see this differently and they do take vows)

When for many reasons which would be good discussion items, the priest no longer "believes" in the effectiveness of celibacy either for himself or for his service to the Church, there arise an integrity problem. He continues to believe in service, but celibacy as a control mechanism or as a source of scandal because it is not observed, loses its value. The service of many dedicated married Protestant clergy is as great if not greater than that of the priest ( They usually do not spend as much time on the golf course, however).

For those who know not the life of the priest, to quote canon law, tell them they are unfaithful, thump the bible at them is treating the priests as though they were disobedient children rather than adult men.

"How is unfaithfulness to their vow to the Church any kind of insult against priests?" I think you have a good question there. From the priests I know, the motive for entering the priesthood was "service to the people of God" They accepted the discipline of celibacy because they truly and in many cases rightly believed it would help them be more effective as priests. The secular priest does not take a vow, any vow, and celibacy is not seen as an end in itself but a means to an end. ( Priests in Religious orders see this differently and they do take vows)

Here lies another problem. The priesthood is a calling. You need to discern that you are being called by God. A proper formation for the priesthood needs to be encouraged and take place.

This argument is based on feelings. The same can be said of Marriage. If I feel like Marriage has lost its effectiveness in my life I cannot just end it. I took a vow at the altar of God and promised "in good times and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer". I made a promise to God and my wife till "death do us part."

Also, "You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" has a deeper meaning here as well. When a priest goes off to another he is cheating on God. Do I understand the urge of the sinner, absolutely, I am a sinner also. But I also understand the vow I undertook, knowing fully what I was getting into and that me trying to change the nature of my vocation after the fact would be very disingenuous and hypocritical.

"You shall know a tree by it's fruit" is part of this argument here. Almost all of the chatter regarding the relaxing of priestly vows comes from nominal Catholics and heretical sects. They arguments put forth by the non-Catholic Christians can be excused due to lack of being a believing and practicing Catholic.

The service of many dedicated married Protestant clergy is as great if not greater than that of the priest

This is an assertion that is not based on any fact and has no place in this discussion. The priests and the Monsignor in my parish are extremely hard working and busy 24x7. It would be very uncharitable for me to assert the opposite of my Protestant brethren in Christ.

I agree we need to treat these men as men and the best way to is to give them the truth straight up. Encouraging them that the behavior is OK or filling their heads with doctrine that is contrary to the Catholic faith isn't the way to heal this grievous sin.

Thanks for the conversation.