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Good post. Fr Cochini quotes Pope Siricius, prior to 400 a.d., as tying the Celibacy requirement to the O.T.,practice of the Priests having to be continent while serving their stint in the Temple. They had to live apart from their wives and abstain for conjugal relations. As the N.T. Priesthood would be offering the Unbloody Sacrifice daily, the requirement for perpetual continence/celibacy was established and it is of immemorial tradition and, Fr Cochini argues persuasively, it is of Apostolic Origins and, therefofre, although subject to change as a discipline, unlikely to be changed.

BTW, although this was a good article, I have heard some weird things about TFP. I wonder if others had any information about them? As I recall, they were started by Plinio de Olivera or someone with a name close to that

From St. Clement of Alexandria, "The Stromata", Book VII, Chapter XI:

"'"They say, accordingly, that the blessed Peter, on seeing his wife led to death, rejoiced on account of her call and conveyance home, and called very encouragingly and comfortingly, addressing her by name, "Remember thou the Lord." Such was the marriage of the blessed and their perfect disposition towards those dearest to them.

Thus also the apostle says, "that he who marries should be as though he married not," and deem his marriage free of inordinate affection, and inseparable from love to the Lord; to which the true husband exhorted his wife to cling on her departure out of this life to the Lord."'"