To change the almost ten-century old clerical requirement of celibacy because of short-term, largely phony vocations crisis would be worse.
It's not a requirement.
Episcopalian and Lutheran men have converted to Catholicism, been ordained priests, and remained married.
If, as notwithstanding suggests, half the parishes are closed, and catholics are forced to drive miles to remote parishes, the faithful will have something to say about it, you can be sure.
Again, celibacy is not integral to the priesthood. If it were, we'd send the Episcopalian converts packing tomorrow.
And if the vocation crisis is phony, why are we welcoming these men into the Catholic Church and allowing them to practice?