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The quote contained in the article implies that there was a gap of 900 years from the time of Our Lord's death until the institution of celibacy. Ergo, this was some form of rupture or departure from the practice of the early Church, requiring (to quote the headline), a "solution".

This is where my problem lies since this is a gross distortion and denies the theology and practice of the early Church, starting with St. Paul, who desired that all men might be as himself (1 Corinthians 7:7-8).

We can debate its extent in the early Church but celibacy has its genesis in apostolic times and even before since "..... there are eunuchs, who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven". (Matthew 19:12).

The "900 years" shtick is fiction.

Again I agree. I think we are talking past each other. There were strong local movements to enforce priestly celibacy dating back quite far, but it wasn’t mandated for the Roman rite till later.

There are married Catholic priests in other rites as you well know. It is a discipline, not a doctrine.

This is where my problem lies since this is a gross distortion and denies the theology and practice of the early Church, starting with St. Paul, who desired that all men might be as himself (1 Corinthians 7:7-8).

Paul may have liked to see this happen but he knew it wouldn't be, especially with any clergy since Paul also tells us that all the clergy must have wives and children...