text: A good set of thoughts.
  
  Wasn't the life of Jesus also an "odd and out of step lifestyle"?   We might look to Jesus's own words about this;  read St John's Gospel (several places, but maybe Ch 18)) about His kingdom "not being of this world". 
  
  I think it boils down to a diluted understanding of what love is and an of exaggerated but nevertheless shallower understanding of what sex is, & its purpose.  
  
  The "sixties" haven't really served sexuality well, no?  Exaggerating its importance in one way while hollowing it out!
  
  Real love is total self gift.
  
  Here's a test:   If a man or woman for some reason receives absolutely no physical or emotional or spiritual consolation from the marial act, shouldn't they nevertheless be so focused on bringing the pleasure of unity & warmth of their spouse from that act that it makes no dfference about their own pleasure?
  
  Answer: Yes.   
  
  This should put the gift of celebacy (& real love) in better perspective.  Love is happy, costly self-donation.