As I see it, it's power and control, not to mention billions upon billions of dollars over the years...
They started out with Constantine killing Christians and destroying their bibles...Pretty similar to the ISIS muzlims today...Convert or die...And many did...
They even forced the Roman armies to convert under duress...
With indulgances and baby baptism they have millions under their bondage...All in the name of God...They have to keep pushing this stuff...It's what keeps their religion together...Once Catholics searching for Jesus get their hands on a bible and read it, they move away from the Catholic religion...
But just as there is an anti-Christ, there is an anti-Christianity...
...”As I see it, it’s power and control, not to mention billions upon billions of dollars over the years”...
But that is exactly what cults and false religions are about. They use rituals, leadership and tactics to keep people under their sway....with major guilt trips to those who want to leave or question their teachings.
It just seems to me without their Priesthood the entire church would fall apart because it is so dependent on it. Which could be why they protect their Priests at all cost.