Priestly celibacy and celibacy in general are wonderful forgotten gifts and expression of ultimate love and sacrifice to God. The Catholic Church has practiced this since the beginning and in the western or Latin rite it has becomes the norm. While not absolutly mandatory for the priesthood in general(as we have eastern Rite Catholic priest who can Marry) there is a great thing about the common practice of it in the western or Latin rites. Here are some great articles by Catholic answers on the gift of celibacy and the priesthood.


http://www.catholic.com/library/celi...priesthood.asp

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0102fea5.asp

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Roma locuta est causa finita est