Wouldn't there be more priests if they were allowed to marry?

A married priesthood might increase the numbers in the short-run, but the real issue is, "Does God really want a married priesthood?" Last week I offered ten reasons why I believe a celibate clergy is better for both the Church and the priesthood. Furthermore, it is not at all clear that allowing a married priesthood would necessarily increase the number of priests in any significant way, or at all. Just because a man married or unmarried thinks he is called to priestly ministry does not mean he is or that he has the qualifications to serve effectively as a priest. That has to be discerned.

The real problem with the lower number of priestly vocations today is that many men have lost the spiritual awareness necessary to hear and answer God's call to priestly ministry (CCC 1578). Others are unwilling to make the personal sacrifices necessary to serve as priests. Ordaining married men would only mean that one less sacrifice would be required of men already disinclined to live a completely sacrificial life, which is the essence of priestly ministry. That does not seem to be a recipe for good priests (Mt. 10:510).

In addition, some have also made the case that in the past few decades single men applying for the priesthood have been "turned away" for ideological reasons by people in positions of authority.

I have great confidence that God will take care of His Church by calling enough men to this sacred office.