The Church has always considered marriage as a Sacrament and something sacred. The fact that priests do not marry is not a condemnation of marriage. The reason is that priests VOLUNTARILY give up the married state in order that they may give themselves entirely to the service of God and the care of His people. This is a disciplinary law of the Church; and the Church, for good reason, may dispense from the law.

St. Paul gives this as the reason in his Epistle to the Corinthians:

"I would have you free from care. He who is unmarried is concerned about the things of the Lord, how he may please God. Whereas, he who is married is concerned about the things of the world, how he may please his wife; and he is divided." I Cor. 7:32, 33