One of a few things I still can't get my head around... clerical celibacy.
I understand the reasoning behind it, in theory, but unlike the vast majority of doctrines, I can hear an explanation, but I just don't feel it. I don't understand all that well.
It seems to me, from one way of looking at it, that enforced clerical celibacy excludes a great many people who (like myself) would seriously consider the priesthood otherwise.
Personally, I like to think that I could make it all right down that path... except for this one part.
It's not that I'm against this, not at all... I support the Magisterium 100%. I just think it seems like a bit of a shame that it has to be this way.
I would really appreciate other perspectives, so that I can finally entirely understand why things are the way they have to be.

I'm glad that you brought this up because this is a very important topic. I think its possible that some have a romantic idea of what celibacy will be like or will require, especially the young. It seems to me that there are difficult aspects of a religious vocation, priestly or otherwise, for everyone and maybe every person finds some different aspect a struggle. For some it might be the rununciation of sexual intimacy with a spouse, for others it might giving up having naural children. Still others might find obedience a difficult cross. I think if we're called to follow Jesus we should embrace the Cross and our own personal cross, and try not to shrink away from the difficult nature of it.
I've been reading the biograghy of Pope john Paul the great, Witness to Hope. Its clear to me that celibacy is not a lack of something, but something fruitful and full of God.

Good point.
I think that I'm coming to the conclusion that if it was really what I'm meant to do, this wouldn't be a problem, therefore it isn't what I'm meant to do.
Now to wait 5-10 years to get married!

I am a seminarian and I know many seminarians and priest who at first had problem with priestly celibacy and now embrace it as the gift from God that it truly is. You should read up on it, talk to some holy priest and figure out more about it. Once you understand it as the gift it truly is, then you can determine if it is for you. Just because you have problems with it now doesn't mean that God is not offering you that gift. So do not be to hasty, spend some time learning about it and praying it about, then once you understand it, figure out if God is offering it to you.
God Bless

Maybe if for some terrible reason I happen to break up with my girlfriend.
Thanks for all this though. I'm feeling pretty secure about the way things are at the moment.

Hi Nihil Obstat,

As a priest, I'm tempted to reply to your post... without wanting to give you all the reasons for celibacy (you know them, anyway). However, what strikes me most is when you say " I like to think that I could make it all right down that path... except for this one part ". In fact, priesthood is not something you can " make " or achieve ; it's not a job or a career you choose... it's not something you offer to God, but something HE offers to the one He calls ; in other words : something which you can only receive, being free, of course, to refuse it. And if He calls you, why would He not give the grace to offer yourself completely, with an undivided heart full of love for Him and His people ? Just think about it and let me know if you're interested in further discussion.

God bless,

Fr. Bruno