[Pontiac]

Too bad they are more consumed by the equity problems such creates. That's the real reason the church abolished the right for clergy to marry in the first place.

Do you have any documentation for that claim?

My impression of the church’s reason for the vow of celibacy is to save money and collect inheritances of deceased priests.

Married priests need larger salaries priest with children even more. Priest without heirs will their estates to the church. Follow the money as the old saying goes.

[blackdog]

I think you’re making my argument. Better than my limited prose I guess. My father in law (who was a priest) discussed it with me. I think it was around 1100AD that the pope pulled the new rule out of his a$$. Prior to that priests could be married.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Priest without heirs will their estates to the church.

Any documentation to support that claim? Diocesan Priests are free to will their estates to anyone they choose. Religious Order Priests take vows of poverty so how much of an estate could they possibly have?