[Aquinasfan]

You can pick and choose individual Bible verses to support your argument, or you can look at all the passages regarding a particular topic, and then make sense of all of them.

For example, there are two verses that contradict the idea that celibacy is intrinsically evil:

Matthew 19:12

"For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

[TChris]

For example, there are two verses that contradict the idea that celibacy is intrinsically evil:

I didn't say that celibacy is intrinsically evil.

Matthew 19:12

"For some are eunuchs because they were born that way; others were made that way by men; and others have renounced marriage because of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it."

1 Corinthians 7:8-9

Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I am. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

(Emphasis added)

Perhaps the endings of both passages should have received greater consideration before celibacy was made a requirement--as far as I know--for the Catholic priesthood. There seem to be some who are not able to meet that requirement. If the Holy Scriptures make exception for those, as they appear to, why not the Catholic Church?

I don't presume to make the decisions for the CC, especially since I'm not Catholic, but that is the subject of the thread and of this inquiry. If they're truly looking for answers, I suggest taking a harder look at celibacy.