To Cammie:
From Scripture, we know that Peter was certainly married!
We also know that Paul was not. Paul even speaks highly of celibacy.
In the Early Church, many priests and even some Popes were married. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, priests are still allowed to marry. And not too many people know that there are very rare instances where you will find a married Catholic priest. IIRC, a man who is an ordained minister in a Protestant faith and is married, and who converts to Catholicism I believe has the opportunity to become a priest and remain married.
Throughout the history of the Church, there have been times of trouble. The Church and the ruling Royalty of countries were often mired together in controversy. The Church, by its very function as guardian of the souls of the believers, held a great deal of power, and this power was often misused and abused. A lot of power can be tied up in land ownership. It's my understanding that priests were using the power of acquiring land through marriage and disposing of it through their offspring that a great deal of corruption was encountered. In an effort to eliminate this temptation, and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it was determined that priests were better off dedicating their lives to God, completely.
Catholics have had religious who have lived cloistered, isolated lives, so as to better distance themselves from earthly distractions.
But one of the biggest examples of the celibate lifestyle is that Jesus was unmarried.
Peace be with you,
~VOW