The Wilson Quarterly noted that “study after study in recent decades has concluded that mandatory celibacy, a requirement for Catholic priests since the 12th century, is at the root of the church’s problems in recruiting and retaining priests. ” According to sociologist Richard A.
शूएन्हर के अनुसार, “इतिहास के प्रबल तथ्य और सामाजिक परिवर्तन इसके विरुद्ध जा रहे हैं कि कैथोलिक पादरीवर्ग में केवल कौमार्यव्रती पुरुषों को लिया जाए । ”