[hardhead]

Okay, call me old-fashioned or a blind, following Catholic, but this is one of the best treatises on celibacy that I have read. It reinforces my own thoughts that a priest cannot be both married and a priest - effectively. And I'm glad to see that celibacy is not tied to the sex scandals. Do you remember when Jesus said, in effect, to the apostle candidates: "Leave your family and follow me." He knew what He had known from all eternity. There are two distinct culprits for the sex scandals, 'ol satan himself (trying to destroy the Church from within) and those who fell into sin, committed the atrocities and became valets of the evil one.

[karen999]

Careful, hardhead....don't forget Jesus ALSO called Peter, a married man. There are both advantages and disadvantages to a married or a celibate priesthood. Either way, it should NOT shake your faith.