According to some reports, the next synod may touch on the question of ordaining married men. If we are to have such a debate, it should be based on fact, not fantasy. You will sometimes hear people say that priests could be married up to the 12th century. Others say that celibacy was imposed on Read more
The Vatican’s Secretary of State has said that the need for solutions to shortages of priests does not justify scrapping celibacy. Speaking at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University last week, Cardinal Pietro Parolin stressed that celibacy is a gift that must be received and nurtured with “joyful perseverance”. He acknowledged that the lack of priests in Read more
A German bishop has recounted an incident in which Pope Francis showed no opposition to the concept of more married priests. The auxiliary Bishop of Hamburg, Bishop Hans-Jochen Jaschke, spoke of this on a German television talk show “Nachtcafe”. Bishop Jaschke mentioned the meeting between the German bishops and the Pope on November 20 last Read more
The bishops of England and Wales have rejected a proposal to ordain married men to the priesthood. Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle proposed the motion at the bishops’ plenary meeting last month. He did this on behalf of the Council of Priests in his diocese. The proposal was rejected after a “thoughtful discussion”, Read more
God writes straight with crooked lines. -Portuguese Proverb The question of the theology of ordination to the priesthood just isn’t going to go away. First, in a meeting with Italian priests in Rome in February, the Pope, they tell us, said that he is going to put the topic of the ordination of married men “into Read more
The chancellor of Loyola University Chicago has said it would be healthy for Catholic priests to be able to be married. Fr Michael Garanzini, SJ, a former president of the university, said until Pope Francis opened up avenues of discussion, he didn’t expect to see change in this area. Fr Garanzini said the issue is Read more
An advisor appointed by Pope Benedict XVI has said married priests and women deacons would bring a new dynamism to the Church. Dietmar Winkler said married priests and women deacons should be reintroduced as soon as possible. He was appointed an adviser to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity by Pope Benedict XVI and Read more
The unique experience of the Catholic Church in England and Wales could give weight to any case it might put for more married priests, a bishop says. Emeritus Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood told The Tablet he thought it could be argued the Church in England and Wales was in a unique position to prompt Read more
Up to ten bishops in England and Wales would support the Church discerning if ordaining married men is a way forward, a retired bishop says. This is because those bishops are in charge of diocese where there is a significant shortage of priests, said Bishop Crispian Hollis. The former ordinary of Portsmouth diocese said he is increasingly Read more
An Irish bishop wants his fellow bishops to set up a body to look at the possibility of ordaining married men to the priesthood. Bishop Leo O’Reilly of Kilmore has urged his colleagues to arrange a commission to this end. Bishop O’Reilly also wants such a commission to study the possibility of female deacons. He will raise the Read more