The Council of Elvira in Spain (310) dealt with priestly chastity (canon 33), and presented perfect continence as a norm that must be maintained and observed and not as an innovation. The lack of any revolt or surprise attested to its widespread practice.
At the Council of the Church of Africa (390) and above all at the Council of Carthage, (419), which St. Augustine attended, similar norms were adopted. These councils recalled the ecclesiastical praxis of the obligation of perfect chastity, affirming that such praxis is of apostolic tradition.
What St. Gregory VII, and later the Second Lateran Council (1139) did was not to “introduce” the law of celibacy but simply confirm that it was in force and issue regulations for its observance. Since most recruiting for the priesthood was already among the unmarried, the Second Lateran Council forbade priestly marriage, declaring it null and void in the case of priests, deacons or anyone with a solemn vow of religion. Source.
Celibacy is not Cannon from the lips of Christ and can be changed.
You are correct. It is a discipline, not a doctrine. Jesus Christ did not marry. The Catholic priest models his life on that of Christ.
accepting married priest might bring more priests into the fold and more mentally stable priests at that.
There are actually plenty of vocations today in faithful dioceses: Denver, Northern Virginia, and Lincoln, Nebraska, have great numbers of men entering the priesthood. If other dioceses, such as Milwaukee or Albany, want to answer the question of why they have so few vocations, the answer is simple: Challenge young men to a religious life that is demanding, countercultural, sacrificial, and loyal to the Holy Father and Catholic teaching. This is the surest way to guarantee a greater number of vocations.
90% of the priests around here (NY Metro area) are imported from 3rd world nations....you just don't see many priests from the area.
When I was a kid in Catholic grade school, our parish had a large number of priests and nuns, all American or western European born. My HS was manned by Marist Brothers...all American or European. I just don't see this anymore, at least around here.