This opinion piece loses much respect when the author casually tosses in "The need to weaken the mandatory celibacy rule in the Roman church is also critical. We have put our heads in the sand with the sexual abuse crisis, but things have to change" which is a red herring of the first degree.

As most rational and well-read people know, the sexual abuse scandal has very little to do with celibacy.  In fact, priests abuse at no higher rate than other professions...or sexually active married men, with or without family.  Other religions, with married clergy, are also dealing with the problem - but, of course, have not released their numbers.  One does wonder why, but that's another discussion. Teachers and health care workers have high rates. 

The fact is, throwing the impression out there that married or female clergy would solve or diminish the sexual abuse instances is unproven, unlikely, and untrue.