Again fine with me but why is it an absolute requirement. Where did Christ require it and make it an obligation. He never did. Thats why requiring it is wrong.
the priesthood is not an obligation. It is a freely chosen ministry.
No one is compelled to the priesthood against his will.
It isn't an absolute requirement. No one is forced to join the priesthood, and everyone who does knows what he's getting into.
And married men go into the priesthood in some circumstances, too (esp. former Anglican priests and protestant ministers).
The Latin Church, in the light of the words of Our Lord and St. Paul, demands celibacy for priestly candidates because we consider the priesthood a 24/7 job that allows little personal time and certainly not enough to raise a family.
And I'm glad you at least aren't defending what you've been asserting above. Celibacy is definitely scriptural, it is not a Medieval invention. Its abolition will not solve any of the Church's problems.
In ages past, celibacy has weeded out a lot of people who would otherwise have come to the priesthood for the wrong reasons. This can remain true even today, as long as we're willing to root out the homosexual menace.
You aren't a Catholic anymore, are you...