Why do people assume that married priests wouldn’t abuse children at the same rate as celibate priests?

[FloridaCatholic]

so married people don’t commit adultery then?

 

[Vonsalza]

Less prone. Not hazard-proof.

 

[FloridaCatholic]

I disagree completely.

 

[edward_george1]

Please read my posts above. I think this assumes a very low view of men, women, marriage, and sexuality.

 

[Vonsalza]

To the contrary I think religious, particularly catholic religious, tremendously under appreciate the primal human sex drive.

“For this reason, man will leave his father and mother…”

 

[FloridaCatholic]

right, but you’re saying

I’d say married priests will be less prone toward sexual malfeasance for the same reason boilers with release valves are less prone to exploding.

which is a low view of celibacy

 

[billsannie]

I don’t particularly agree with Vonsalza’s view, but I don’t think it’s a low view of celibacy. Unless one is asexual, celibacy is a difficult way of life, and, and St. Paul admitted, definitely not for everyone.

 

[FloridaCatholic]

Yes, it’s not for everyone. But saying celibate people need a release valve otherwise they’re more prone to commit a sexual crime is ridiculous.

 

[billsannie]

Vonsalza didn’t say every celibate commits sexual crimes. But when a thing is difficult it is less likely that it will carried through successfully.

 

[WileyC1949]

I think few would see having a married clergy as a means of curbing abuse. The vast majority of abusers in secular society are married. Having married clergy does one do one thing… attract more men to the priesthood. (At least we hope).

Does anyone know if the number of priests in the American National Catholic Church is growing? They do allow priests to marry.