Portugal: Catholic priests quitting church 'to marry'

[Tigg]

Perhaps AB Cordileone could somehow send his wonderful message to the priests in Portugal:

Celibacy is central to the priest’s call to “pastoral charity” because the priest represents Christ as the spouse of the church. “I fear this ancient discipline of the church is sorely misunderstood,” the archbishop said, viewed just as a practical solution “so the priest can have more time to do his job.” But, the Second Vatican Council emphasized celibacy for priests as the greatest expression of their call to “pastoral charity.”

Priestly celibacy enables the “gift of self in and with Christ to the church,” the archbishop said: It allows a “total and exclusive love.” “This is the love of spouses which opens us up to the true meaning of the priest’s commitment to celibacy.”