[george wythe]

As a Roman Catholic, I would like to see the celibacy rules relaxed but not abandoned. We should strive to have as many celibate priests are possible, since celibacy is a gift from God.

On the other hand, if a priest finds out later in his career that he is called to marriage and not celibacy, he should be allowed to stay in the priesthood.

Again, it should be a minority, not the majority. As St. Paul said, celibate men tend to devote more time to the Lord than married men. Nevertheless, in certain issues, I can relate better to a married priest than to a celibate one. Having a married priest out of the 3 or 4 serving in my parish will be a blessing.

[conservlib]

The Orthodox church has some priests who are married, and others who are celibate. Only the celibate ones can get promoted to bishops.

[.45MAN]

I would like to see the celibacy rules relaxed but not abandoned

Ok, how would you go about this?

[ThomasMore]

celibate men tend to devote more time to the Lord than married men.

That's very debatable! :^)

That's almost like saying celibate men are more holy than married men. Besides... I know many retired clergy that work part time. Is the service they perform, because it is not 24/7, any less of a good for the Body of Christ? Of course not! And to say that anything other than celibacy is less, is to mock those thousands of married clergy both past and present. Someone posted that this is a discipline. Absolutely...and disciplines can change. The Eastern rites kept the old way -- optional celibacy. The Latin rite could revert and its something that should be open to debate amongst the magisterium.

Deacon Francis