Sentence:  Even during the ages that priestly marriage was permitted, <WSD>celibates</WSD> obtained a higher reputation for sanctity and virtue than married priests, who infinitely more than <WSD>celibates</WSD> were believed subject to infestation by demons. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  One who is not married, especially one who has taken a religious vow not to get married, usually because of being a member of a religious community.