Why is it necessary for a priest to celibate in order to celebrate the Eucharist? WHERE is it written? Why should a married man be prohibited from bring an ordained priest or celebrating Mass?
In order to comprehend the answer one must have an accurate understanding of what Jesus was doing hanging on the cross, and an accurate understanding of what the Eucharist is, and an accurate understanding of what the priesthood is.
On the cross, Jesus was taking the Church as his bride, making himself her bridegroom. The Eucharist re-presents, or makes present sacramentally, this same action. The entire person of the priest, who speaks the words of Christ in celebrating the Eucharist, participates in making the nuptial mystery present.
The perfect, perpetual continence of the priest safeguards, emphasizes, and reinforces the reality of the presence of Christ the bridegroom in the Eucharist. It is a witness to the Church by the priest, and a more-than-symbolic sacrifice that enables the priest to cooperate in the process of making the nuptial love of Christ present in the world in every age.