As usual, Bill, you ask the right question.

If Catholics familiarized themselves with the Vatican 2 Documents, we would see that 'priests' are delegates of the Bishop to assist in 'making the Bishop present' in the function of Preaching and Teaching, Presiding at Worship, in Administering Sacraments, and in Administration.

In our Catholic Tradition we have become accustomed to demand that such delegation - for the most part - is only to celibate 'Clerics', who make a full-time professional, life commitment.

There have been growing 'exceptions'. Especially as to the 'Administration' functions; and more and more to the administering of some of the Sacraments, and teaching.

The question, really, is: does this delegation by the Bishop need to demand a 'full-time' life-long dedication? Does everything demand that it be a 'cleric'? "Lay" people who are trained & qualified could be 'delegated' to carry out many of the Bishop's functions far as long as they are willing, able, &   capable.