Well, first, this has been the constant tradition of Christianity from the beginning. You see it in many places in the New Testament. In Matthew 19, you see Jesus referring to those who are "eunuchs" for the sake of the Kingdom -- i.e., celibacy; and Saint Paul encourages it as well. And you have the example of Saints Peter and Andrew, James and John who, when Jesus said, "Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men," it says they "left everything and followed him." So the Church didn't invent this; it comes from Christ and the example of the Apostles.

I'm reminded of the story about Chesterton who said if he found a fence across the road, he wouldn't tear it down until first he discovered why it was there. I'd suggest the same thing with celibacy; first understand *why* it is part of the constant tradition of Christianity.

And you raise a problem with how we handle the diaconate... (continued in another comment)