Colin wrote, in response to Debra's post: "i am perplexed as to why you brought up the 'priests should be allowed to marry' thing. (of course they should be) Having married preists will not stop child abuse. Peodophilia is not something one does for lack of an adult to do it with.(I am sure you know that hence me being perplexed)."
Colin, you're right about pedophilia, I would guess, but the effect won't be such a direct one as preventing it from occurring because priests would have now have a healthy outlet for their sexuality instead. I think the idea is that, if priests could marry, more men (and dare I say, women?) would be willing to take on the job. Consequently, the Roman Catholic Church would not continue to take in applicants of questionable mental and emotional stability to help fill the current, overwhelming priest shortage. Just my 2 cents, Mary P. --Catholic, and horrified, in Madison, WI.
