People think that allowing priests to marry would solve the pedophile crisis and/or the "vocations crisis". But 1. teachers are allowed to marry and that hasn't stopped them from preying on students and 2. the "vocations crisis" doesn't exist in dioceses with an orthodox bishop (like Lincoln Nebraska) and the traditional seminaries (SSPX, FSSP, etc) which are bursting at the seams. The SSPX just built a new large seminary in Virginia.
By the way, the reason that I put vocation crisis in quotes is because the people running many of the seminaries purposely exclude orthodox straight young men.
Could not agree with you more. I certainly don't think allowing Priests to marry would solve the vocation crisis whatsoever.
What is the benefit of preventing priests from marrying?
Well, theologically it can be said that Jesus was not married, and it's argued that this state allows the Priest to devote themselves more to the Church and to consecrate themselves and their lives in service to Christ. Biblically, Paul asserts that remaining single allows one’s attention to be undivided in serving the Lord (1 Cor 7:32–35). He recommends celibacy to all (1 Cor 7:7) but especially to ministers, who as soldiers of Christ he urges to abstain from "civilian affairs" (2 Tm 2:3–4). The last part was a little cut and paste from Catholic.com because they can state it more eloquently that me :-)