Eliminating the celibacy requirement for priests (registration required) reminds me of the Shakers. That sect has dwindled to a handful due to...forced celibacy and no new members.

What would be so terrible here? Celibacy/no marriage was necessary in the early days of the RC church - I'll grant you. When you own that much property, you need to make sure it stays in the family. That doesn't apply in the 21st century. If the Vatican doesn't have enough legal means to protect its assets, they should throw in the towel and be done with it.

And in the interest of full disclosure, it is my hope that if priests are allowed to have sex and marry (and no the two are not mutually exclusive), the Vatican might realize that women priests won't be so terrible after all. And who knows what impact it will have on the pedophilia problem. But I am not holding my breath. These letters can be summed up in the closing salutation: Fraternally yours in the Lord. Sigh.