Absolutely it is rationalization. Scripture does not demand celibacy for ministers. And since it is tied to the priesthood, there is no choice for those men who want to become priests unless they are willing to circumvent the policy and become Episcopalian priests first and then convert to Catholicism and viola, married priest.
Why allow for some men what the Church denies to others?
Why should I defend the forced marriage requirement of a church when Scripture doesn’t demand it? And there is a difference between the different offices. Elder and deacon are offices within the body, which are different than preachers and evangelists.
It's like saying, "What if a woman has a calling to be a priest? Why should you force her to have sex-reassignment surgery and then get ordained, voila, woman priest?"
The bottom line still stands: celibacy is a choice. Marriage is a choice. And anyone can serve God: priest, layperson, woman, man. There are different ways.
But expecting the rule to be changed just for you, is light-minded or vocationally solipsistic, or both.
I personally am dismayed that for the most part, other Christian churches have no recognition of, and make no provision for, celibate vocations. The majority will never be called to this, but as both Jesus and Paul say: some are.
What would your church do, if somebody was called to celibacy, and to be a bishop?
I think I know iscool's answer: "We don't have bishops. We have nothing above pastor and elder." But what about your church, metmom? (Serious question, and no snark: I'm curious.)