"For us Catholics, we believe that it is the Church, who received her authority from the Apostles, and thus from Jesus Himself, who has the authority to definitively interpret Scripture."
So tell me, how many Catholic priests in your church have been married once?
Dear marajade,
I believe that in the United States, about 200 Catholic priests of the Latin Rite have been married once. In the Eastern Catholic Churches, I don't know how many priests are married, but except in the United States, they may generally marry prior to ordination. In the United States, recent changes of discipline now permit marriage before ordination in the Eastern Catholic Churches, as well, although I think the understanding is that it must be with the blessing of the bishop.
I've pinged a few folks who are Eastern Catholics (they are just as much Catholic as folks who go to the local Roman Catholic Church). They may wish to elaborate.
sitetest
So how many times was Jesus married?
Jesus Himself speaks of celibacy in Matthew 19:11-12: "Not all can accept this word, but only those to whom it is granted. Some are incapable of marriage because they were born so; some, because they were made so by others; some, because they have renounced marriage for the sake of the kingdom of God. Whoever can accept this ought to accept it." Again, the emphasis is on the special nature of celibacy, one for which not all men are suited, but one that nevertheless gives glory to "the kingdom of God."
Perhaps the best evidence for the scriptural support of celibacy is that Jesus Himself practiced it!