why can't priests marry

Catholic priests, especially in the Latin (Roman) rite, cannot marry primarily due to theological and canonical reasons. Theologically, priests are seen as serving in the person of Christ, who was celibate and unmarried, so priests emulate this by committing to celibacy, dedicating themselves fully to God and the Church without the divided attention that marriage might bring. Celibacy also symbolizes the eschatological life of heaven where people "will neither marry nor be given in marriage" (Matthew 22:30). Canonically, priests in religious orders take vows of celibacy, and diocesan priests make promises of celibacy. The Church also has laws that invalidate marriages of priests after ordination unless a special dispensation is granted. This discipline is not dogma and thus could theoretically change, but it has been a longstanding practice in the Western Church to avoid issues like nepotism and to allow priests to fully devote their lives to service. Eastern Catholic Churches allow married men to be ordained priests but do not permit priests to marry after ordination. In summary, the celibacy requirement for priests in the Latin rite is to mirror Christ's celibacy, enable undivided service to God and the Church, and maintain Church discipline and tradition.