i don't understand

Also Celibacy is a BIG part of it.

mostly has to do with devoting their lives entirely to God, and how the belief is somewhat like them being a bit "closer" to him, that's probably a bad choice of words, but i don't have a much better description i read something once that sort of broke it all down and remember it saying "The Catholic Church has always known that a Pastor who is a family man has a heart that is naturally divided. History shows that there was always a tradition of celibate priests in the early Church, although it was not exclusive." I wish i could find the website, but that's basically it

And now for the cynical angle: Priests WERE allowed to marry and have families until the Church hierarchy realized that any worldly belongings would be left to priests' families. If they can't have a family, they can leave everything to the Church.

CR, that's the funniest thing I've heard all day. Wabbit, I'm pretty sure priests take a vow of poverty, so they have nothing to give the church, of course they would also have nothing to give a family, either.

Well the church might have the Foreman Grill already. They don't know what their missing not having the quesadilla maker! Or the Flowbee :)

From my limited knowledge--- the priest never marries because 1) he chooses to do so under free will, 2) He would not fully fulfill the vocation of spouse or father, 3) in the New Testament Jesus tells his disciples to leave behind "everything" and follow me. Priests are supposed to follow Jesus lead , never marry, and remain celibate.A problem has cropped up because priests from the Eastern Church (who can marry) are leaving and coming to the Roman Church.
Let me say this in defense of my church---- a male or female of any religion may remain a batchelor or "old maid" and it's no big deal, but if it's a Catholic priest or nun people think it's wierd.