I’ve always thought asking a priest to stay celibate for his lifetime as completely unnatural and a set up for disaster. To not take a wife, not raise a family, to see nearly everyone around you doing so. It would make you feel set apart.
Matthew 19:10 "His disciples say unto him, If this be the case of a man with his wife, it would be better not to marry."
Unnatural, yes, but nothing wrong with it. Certainly no one gets hurt if someone is celibate.
And OTOH we have rampant problems because some are unconcerned about morals BECAUSE it’s “natural”. People have become used to having sex any old time and that is definitely not good either....it becomes a habit that must be maintained.
And frankly, I think the idea of celibacy/no marriage is good for religious leaders. Sorry, but how can he really care about all his flock if he has personal concerns like young children and a wife? Major distractions.
My problem with it is simple: I oppose it being compulsory instead of voluntary.