The Catholic priesthood is more likely an offshoot of other existing priesthoods from Hellenic traditions and Judaism, some of which were celibate and others of which decidedly not, eg Rabbis are expected to be fruitful and multiply just as much as all Jews.
The Jews faced different demographic challenges than Catholics, so that might account for the difference.
I wondered about the sexual reject idea after reading that Thomas Aquinas' father decided that his pudgy little boy didn't look fit for breeding, so he sent Thomas to a monastery at the age of five, while the father encouraged Thomas's better-looking brothers to marry and perpetuate the family.
This thread is for asking any questions that might seem obvious, tangential, silly or what-have-you. Don't be shy, everyone has holes in their knowledge, though the fewer and the smaller we can make them, the better.
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