There’s absolutely no scriptural requirement for priests to be celibate/unmarried. Indeed, St Peter was married and had children.

I think it’s because of a mixture of a desire to separate the clergy from all earthly considerations and to establish a degree of separation between ministers of the church and the holders of temporal power (kings, barons, feudal lords etc). As a result, it’s tended to attract predatory individuals of a homosexual tendency and giving ready access, as a ‘trusted’ individual to young children (choirboys, altar boys etc) to those whose inclinations are considerably more sinister.

I can’t understand why this rule hasn’t been relaxed as its justifications, such as they are, are completely archaic. Over the years, the church has shifted its position on various issues to accommodate the times on numerous occasions. In the face of declining vocations and ordinations, I’d suggest that it’s essential that it does change the rules if it wants to continue its existence and might go some considerable way towards repairing its deeply tarnished reputation.

This is religion. When has it ever made sense?

The Catholic church is primarily a self serving venture. The answer to your question lies therein.

I think it shows that sexuality, like most behaviours, is on a sliding scale.....for example, how naturally aggressive are you, innate intelligence and so on.

I think most men who go to prison don't willing feck other men regardless of how horny they might get because they are on that one end of the scale....Straight....According to the stats, 1 in 20 are naturally gay....the opposite sex just don't and can't ring that bell.

I imagine that if you aren't 'straight' then prison is going to contain plenty of screws....in more ways than one.

Apparently they say more women are bisexual than men due to some biological reasons but I can't remember where I read that......Whereas men tend to be found at mostly the straight end of the scale or....about five percent at the other.....So there are less male bisexuals.

Edited by Stirlingsays (20 Feb 2019 6.07pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Yes but your expectation is to have sex at some point with an agreeable adult.

A priest does not have that expectation but still has sexual urges and available prey. If the practice of abusing boys is in some sense organised and even encouraged by elements within the priesthood then natural barriers that stop normal people doing such things could be eroded.

You might be right. I can't prove it either way.

It is an interesting anthropological question regarding the alteration of behaviour by environment.

Tips hat.

I expect that the edition should be worth something..... if you can get the stains off.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)