text: What Rev. Tammeus does not include in his essay, and many who have commented here haven't as well, is that celibacy is seen by the Church (east and west) as a gift of the Holy Spirit.  Despite the distortions of it in practice (i.e., required of all RC clerics) it is, for certain, a gift.  Not for all, but for some - perhaps many a lot.  The real issue for Catholics is this: if it s a gift, why are all priests required to be single?  It makes no sense, other then it being a tradition that has no roots in scripture or in the fist several centuries of the Christian church.  Since marriage is also a sacrament - a gift of the Holy Spirit if you will - I have never found much sense in the blanket requirement.  Mandatory celibacy interferes in the work of the Spirit of God.