The exceptions just seem to be practical from what I can tell.
I have always been a little puzzled by the celibacy requirement (and this comes from a non-catholic). At least some of the apostles were married. I can’t imagine any current priest doing more important work than any of the apostles. It would seem to me that if celibacy was really that important that Jesus would have chosen 12 unmarried apostles to the set the example. Instead, the example we have is a mixed bag: some unmarried apostles and some married apostles.
The lesson I would take from that example is that either is acceptable.
My questions are both practical and theological.
To me, woman was created to complete man, because it is not good for man to be alone, and thus a man should leave his parents and cleave to his wife. Marriage is a gift from the Almighty. Why would God want His most faithful followers to intentionally skip-out on the blessings He bestowed on all of mankind?
Peter, the rock on which the papacy is based, was married.
SnakeDoc
“The lesson I would take from that example is that either is acceptable.”
To Jesus, yes. To the Catholic Church? Not so much.