Malika, your post underscores the crux of this issue.  Why should anyone have to choose between ministry and the woman he loves?  My heart goes out to you.  Such a sad and unnecessary choice.

     Andrew, your argument is weak and incoherent.  Why is “being different” from lay people of any intrinsic value, unless that “difference” is manifest in greater compassion, sanctity, excellence in preaching  and pastoral care?  People want relevant priests who understand the challenges that they experience in their own lives, not “different” ivory tower dwellers.  

     At a time when half of the worlds parishes lack a resident priests, when dioceses around the world are closing parishes for lack of priests, you blithely acquiesce with your lame demand that priest must be “different.”    You cite the Legionnaires and how they wear black robes and learn Latin.  What is your point?  Are they better than the priests who wear white robes and speak Spanish?  Why not address the hundreds of thousands of Catholics who hunger for the Eucharist because there are no priests to care for them?  Why not address the studies indicating a fourfold increase in vocations of priests could marry?  

     You want different?  Here’s how you get “different” priests.  First, women need not apply (this is a theologically independent, albeit important injustice for another website).   Second, of those MEN, only men who are ready to forever repress even the possibility of any sexual or romantic relationships, step forward – now we are looking at a small and dare I say odd population.  Third, from that group, select only those who are psychologically and sexually healthy and balanced.  You are now left with a very small, “different” pool of candidates.  Fourth, at last, you can begin to consider whether any of these actually have the faith, gifts and talents for excellent ministry.   Oh yeah, these guys have proven themselves to be different all right.  Just ask the thousands of clerical sexual abuse victims.

     I propose an alternate process:  Consider who has the faith, gifts and talents for excellent ministry.  Period.

     To Graham Briscombe, I am grateful that you have taken the initiative to create this website, but frankly, it could and should be much more than it is.  This is the most pressing issue in the RC church today, a change that can happen and must happen.  The website has potential, but little content.  I would like to see much more solid information and resources here.  

     Let’s inform.  Let’s provide a history of the many married popes throughout the centuries, and the history of married priests who served faithfully and continue to serve.    Let’s provide charts and statistics on the alarming and unprecedented widening of the ratio of Catholics to priests, both in the U.S. and around the world.  Let’s provide the theology that people need to understand the canonical distinction between doctrine and discipline.   Let’s provide FAQs and forums to address frequent arguments, such as whether priests could balance time between work and family, or whether parishes could afford to pay married priests.  Let’s provide sample letters and petitions that concerned faithful can send to their bishops to clamor for this change.   

     This should be a place where people who care about the Church and its future can learn, network, organize and mobilize.  What are the action steps that people can take?  I would like to work with you to make it a better site.    I have already compiled much of this information and am ready to assist you with this, if you want the help.

I am cathlic on bothsides. I love to see the priest get married. I think they would be happier that way. I think they would have some one to come home too.

I hope that all priest can do this. I would love to see it happy in all the churches. I love all priest in the world.