[Mad Dawg]

The rule of celibacy is not a truth of faith, but a church law going back to the 11th Century;

Nope.

Letters from Gregory the Great to Augustine of Canterbury require celibacy of clergy in major AND MINOR orders. Maybe the rule wasn't made 'law' in the 1000's but it was required way earlier than that.

[massgopguy]

The Secular Left is really ratcheting up the attacks on the church. Easter must be coming up.

[Androcles]

Maybe the rule wasn't made 'law' in the 1000's but it was required way earlier than that.

Forbidden in some areas, ignored in others, permitted with restriction elsewhere. Try the excellent Catholic encyclopaedia article here: (Halfway down pages is the history of Celibacy of the Clergy section)

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03481a.htm