Could the Pope abolish the Celibacy Law Is this within the scope of practical doctrine that is mutable?

Answer 1

The short answer is "Yes". This is a matter of church law, not doctrine. The Pope on his own authority can change that law if he wished to. In fact, Pope John Paul II did that to allow married Anglican priests who have converted to be ordained as Catholic priests.

It is important to note that the law could only be changed to allow men who were already married to become priests. Priests cannot marry once they have been ordained, nor can a married priest (or a deacon for that matter) remarry if his wife dies. As a matter of doctrine, the sacrament of Holy Orders imprints an "indelible character" on the soul that is automatically an impediment to marriage.

This only applies to diocesan priests. Religious (members of an order) take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and so can never be married. ----

The Eastern Catholic Churches, which also acknowledge the Pope as their leader, have married priests. It is only the Latin Rite in the west that follows the discipline of celibacy. In the East, however, bishops must be celibate. None of these are unchangeable rules, however.