[SnakeDoctor]

I agree in principle that celibacy is a valid choice, a rare “gift”, and is not for everyone.

My questions arise not with elective celibacy generally, but with mandated celibacy for clergy. Mandated celibacy forces those without the gift of celibacy, but who are called to discipleship, to force celibacy on themselves or choose another vocation. If marriage is not a moral wrong, and does not draw men away from God ... why are those without the gift of celibacy not allowed the priesthood? Should the gift of celibacy really be the defining characteristic of priests, and are those without that particular gift really unfit to lead, disciple or apostle?

Not accordin to Christ. The dichotomy of Peter (married) and Paul (celibate) would seem to me to indicate that those without the gift of celibacy were still welcome among Christ’s disciples.

SnakeDoc

[NYer]

My questions arise not with elective celibacy generally, but with mandated celibacy for clergy.

Thank you for the clarification. Celibacy is a discipline, not a doctrine. Those who are not called to celibacy need not apply. It's really just that simple.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Mandated celibacy forces those without the gift of celibacy, but who are called to discipleship, to force celibacy on themselves or choose another vocation. If marriage is not a moral wrong, and does not draw men away from God ... why are those without the gift of celibacy not allowed the priesthood?

21 of the 22 Churches sui juris which comprise the Catholic Church ordain, as a norm, married men. No man has a right to be ordained to the Priesthood, particularly in the Latin Rite. Those who feel called to both the vocations of marriage and the Priesthood have options that you are quite obviously unaware of.

I suggest that in the future before opining on a topic you know little about, educate yourself. Unless of course, you enjoy coming across as a buffoon.