The problem w/ the argument that it won’t cost anymore for a married priest and his family is that you’re assuming that each parish will have just one priest. My parish is huge, and we need three. In fact, one of the arguments for a married priesthood is that more men will become priests. So then each church that finally has the number of priests it needs (depending on size, naturally), would need 2 or 3 houses, instead of the one rectory where they all currently live together. Some are also insinuating that the wife would work outside the home to help w/ expenses. What if she’s called to be a SAHM? Would she be forced to work, even if it’s w/in the parish (like the aforementioned administrator)? Even if she does work, if they have small children (I’m assuming they’ll have to follow the Church’s teaching on being open to children just like the rest of us), unless she’s in a high paying career, most of her salary will go to child care, so won’t be much help w/ household expenses (I speak from experience. It’s cheaper for me to stay home). I just don’t see how a married priesthood wouldn’t be exorbitantly expensive. Remember, Protestant churches usually only have one pastor, so it’s less expensive for them. Perhaps if Catholics did start to actually tithe (10% at least), it could work. But, sadly, I don’t see that happening, as everybody grumbles when the Church asks for money now (but that’s a whole other topic).
