[saradippity]

I am neither confused nor ill informed. I merely asked for scriptural support for non-celibate priests. Anything other than Bible passages,or established tradition or Magisterial teaching is an "aside",given my specific request in the original post.

Yes,I know about the eastern rite churches but I had no idea that there were so few married priests in the Latin rite. One quarter of one per cent is miniscule.Furthermore the reasons for it correlate to scripture aince when they started serving God,they were a part of the Body of Christ that was not in full union with the Catholic Church. When they found the "fullness of truth" they were treated as those early Bishops.No problem there.

And,you are correct in that celibacy is a discipline and could be modified. However,since arguing religion with non-Catholics on Free Republic I have read more scripture than I had in the past. It was this that caused me to start looking for the roots of our beliefs in the Bible. I was surprised to find a "discipline" that was so totally rooted in scripture.

I still say I am sorry that a Catholic that I so often disagree with is as articulate and informed as you. I guess thats a back handed compliment.(o-)That's a wink.

[Fury]

Talked with my Priest last night and he thinks you will see married Priests in 20 years. He does have concerns about the financial commitments that smaller parishes will be subject to, when the costs for a family must be considered (in part).