Pope Francis suggested married priests could be possible
“In those Churches, the priests can be married, but the bishops have to be celibate. They are very good priests. Sometimes I joke with them and tell them that they have wives at home, but they did not realize they also got a mother-in-law as part of the bargain.”
The pontiff-to-be noted that in Western Catholicism, some organizations are pushing for more discussion about the issue of celibacy.
“For now, the discipline of celibacy stands firm. Some say, with a certain pragmatism, that we are losing manpower. If, hypothetically, Western Catholicism were to review the issue of celibacy, I think it would do so for cultural reasons (as in the East), not so much as a universal option.”
He said he remained in favor of maintaining celibacy “for the moment,” adding, “It is a matter of discipline, not of faith. It can change. Personally, it never crossed my mind to marry. But there are cases.”
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The pontiff-to-be noted that in Western Catholicism, some organizations are pushing for more discussion about the issue of celibacy.
“For now, the discipline of celibacy stands firm. Some say, with a certain pragmatism, that we are losing manpower. If, hypothetically, Western Catholicism were to review the issue of celibacy, I think it would do so for cultural reasons (as in the East), not so much as a universal option.”
He said he remained in favor of maintaining celibacy “for the moment,” adding, “It is a matter of discipline, not of faith. It can change. Personally, it never crossed my mind to marry. But there are cases.”
Full story
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