Dear Lyndon,

There is no harm in at all asking questions if it means we are thinking things through, opening our heart to God and truly seeking the truth; these questions are good and they should be as deep and probing as possible.

The real reason for a priest's celibacy is the fact that it was the way of life that Jesus chose for himself. He is the one and eternal Priest, the rest of us are only sharers in his one priesthood and he sets the tone and pattern. We just follow, because he is the Way, the Truth and the Life. If it were wrong to be alone, or if there were not some other dimension to celibacy than simply being alone, he wouldn't have made the choice he did, because he always does his Father's will.

Celibacy is a mystery, a call; for man it is impossible but with God all things are possible.   

As regards a priest giving Christian counsel on marriage problems, I know that in trying to be brief I risk being superficial but I'll try anyway: It is true that a priest has not experienced the physical/emotional/psychological/spiritual intimacy that marriage between two persons gives rise to. Now, it is also true that many married couples do not either, especially the two levels at which our higher faculties come into the relationship: psychological and spiritual intimacy. That is why there is such a crisis of marriage today. A lot of the maturing that has to take place in a marriage and the reason most couples seek guidance is precisely on these levels. Another aspect of marriage that does not have to do directly with intimacy is commitment, commitment to each other and commitment to the children, and here too is where they seek guidance. 

Now, a married couple does not go to anyone at all to find help with their problems, not even any married person. You would not go to a playboy in his fifth "marriage" for help, would you? You go to someone who knows what he is talking about, who has walked the walk. And the real "walk" in married life is maturity, fidelity, stability, principles..., real love, in other words.  That is why people spontaneously turn to consecrated persons and not only priests when they need help with their marriages. 

Areas such as the psychology of relationships, the psychological differences between the sexes, etc., are technical in nature and are different from what people look for in a priest, but also good for a priest to know. Some will have more talent and sensitivity in these than others.    

Hope these thoughts help you in your reflections. God bless.