Talk about misrepresenting the concept. You people amaze me. I am so glad you are not Catholic.
The intent of the article was a serious discussion about celibacy and consecration to G_d. Even across multiple cultures the concept of consecration included celibacy, if only temporary for married men. By temporary they meant years in many cases.
Compare this to modern hedonistic cultures that can't imagine fidelity, much less celibacy.