An absolutely fantastic read, pass it on :)

I don't understand the big problem with coping with celibacy - there are plenty of single people in the world who are celibate by choice!

I agree, the eBook is a fantastic read, and all those who blame celibacy for the problems in the clergy must read it. As Elizabeth H observes, there are many single people who are celibate by choice. This does not turn them into paedophiles.
When a Catholic priest takes his vows, he is espoused with the Church, which is the Bride of Christ. In this case celibacy is part of a greater vision – the Priesthood – the total commitment to serving Jesus and His Church, without the distractions and added responsibilities of a wife and children. This “greater vision” only comes to those who respond to that inner calling to completely identify himself with Jesus making spiritual fatherhood more meaningful.
Only after reading the book, “Celibacy: What is its Lived Experience Like”, did I realise that Jesus actually recommended it, Mat. 19:11-12.
Many husbands and wives spend much time apart, due to illness, job requirements etc., their chastity during these periods is not seen as a cause for unfaithfulness. To them Jesus had something similar to say in the same Gospel, Mat. 19: 3-9. According to these verses, God does not tolerate unfaithfulness in a marriage between a man and a woman. So why should unfaithfulness in a marriage between a priest and Christ’s church be any different?
Finally, there is something called the supernatural. A Catholic priest’s situation is in a way completely ‘out of this world’. He has been given the authority to bring down the Creator of All, on to our altars, so we can receive Him into our being. Such a person must surely be considered special. He is human however, and carries the same human frailties we all have to endure; and that is all the more reason we must treat our priests with care, and pray very hard for their protection against our primordial enemy who has priests at the top of his hate list.