Contrary to popular opinion, it's not the lack of sex which makes celibacy so tough, it's the loneliness.
Getting a dog helps, but it's not enough. It's the assurance that there is SOMEBODY for you, who is there for you, and for nobody else, that makes marriage such a wonderful life.
If somebody told me I had to give up sex for the rest of my life, it wouldn't phase me, because my wife is my anchor and her presence in my life is all I need.
I admire any man who can make Jesus his temporal anchor.
The guys I know who've left all say that they just got to the point where they needed that complementarity that a woman gave them and that they could return.
It's not good for man to be alone.
Getting a dog helps, but it's not enough. It's the assurance that there is SOMEBODY for you, who is there for you, and for nobody else, that makes marriage such a wonderful life.
That says it all...
Our Holy Father stated in his Holy Thursday message to priests that the priest is configured to Christ as Master, Shepherd, Priest and SPOUSE. He is not alone. We all are to live by faith.