Austrian Bishops: Celibacy and marriage equally valuable

Despite Session 24 of the Council of Trent

CANON X.-If any one saith, that the marriage state is to be placed above the state of virginity, or of celibacy, and that it is not better and more blessed to remain in virginity, or in celibacy, than to be united in matrimony; let him be anathema.

Si quis dixerit, statum coniugalem anteponen- dum esse statui virginitatis vel caelibatus, et non esse melius ac beatius manere in virginitate aut caelibatu, quam iungi matrimonio: anathema sit

Krautwaschl: Discussion as to whether the connection between priestly ordination and celibacy still makes sense today must be allowed - Elbs: Celibacy is valuable for the church, but it is an obligation for everyone

In interviews a few days ago, Pope Francis did not rule out lifting the compulsory celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. However, he admitted that it will probably not happen again in his pontificate. The Pope's statements - nothing new in this matter - have nevertheless attracted media attention and some local bishops have also commented on requests. Styrian bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl, for example, emphasized that celibacy and marriage are equally valuable. Bishop Benno Elbs of Feldkirch said the same thing.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn said in an ORF interview on Sunday that there are numerous married Catholic priests in Austria who belong to one of the many Eastern Catholic Churches where celibacy is not compulsory for all priests. Literally, Schönborn said: "It's certainly not a dramatic topic and it's being talked about and can also be talked about further."

In a statement to the "Kleine Zeitung", which is also available to Kathpress, Bishop Krautwaschl stated on Tuesday that the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) spoke of "that the celibacy of priests is an appropriate way of life and is therefore recommended". . At the same time, however, it is also emphasized that the tradition of the - Catholic - Eastern Churches is not disregarded. In the Eastern Churches, prospective priests can marry before they are ordained. As Bishop Krautwaschl emphasizes, the celibate way of life is a valuable one, just as marriage as a sacrament is an important sign of God's love. It must therefore be permitted to reflect on whether the connection between priestly ordination and celibacy still makes sense today. But the crucial question for the bishop is: "What is important today that women AND men are sufficiently able to live out of the gospel and its proclamation into our world?"

Bishop Benno Elbs of Feldkirch made a similar statement to the "Vorarlberger Nachrichten" (Tuesday): The discussion about celibacy has been going on in the church for a long time. He recalled the 2019 Amazon Synod: "Even back then, it was suggested that there should be different ways of life for priests." Bishop Elbs emphasized that he considers celibacy "quite valuable for our church". At the same time, of course, there is the question of whether it should be mandatory for all priests. Elbs also referred to the priests of the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Pope must preserve unity of the Church

The Pope said nothing new, stressed the Graz parish priest, Stefan Ulz in the "Kleine Zeitung". Among other things, he recalled that there are three married priests from a Catholic Eastern Church working in Styria. However, there are also "forces" opposed to lifting compulsory celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. "For them, this is a high value that should not be given up." The pope is in a quandary: he must take care of the unity of the church, so Ulz.

Ulz is a consultant (adviser) for the Vatican authority for the clergy. The Clergy Dicastery (formerly the Clergy Congregation) is responsible for all matters affecting the Catholic diocesan priests and permanent deacons.

Ewald Pristavec, possibly chairman of the Styrian Council of Priests, told the "Kleine Zeitung" that he was not very optimistic about changes. Although celibacy is only a human law, it is doubtful whether it will be abolished. Personally, he is in favor of change, and he is particularly concerned with the question of what has become of those fellow priests who have resigned from office for reasons of celibacy.

What did the Pope say?

In an interview with the Argentine portal "Infobae", Pope Francis emphasized that compulsory celibacy for Roman Catholic priests is only a matter of church law that could also be changed. It is "no contradiction that a priest can marry". He considers celibacy in the Western Church to be "a provision limited in time" which - unlike consecration - does not have an eternal character.

In an interview with the Argentine weekly Perfil, the Pope said on the question of changing compulsory celibacy: "It's an open possibility. I don't know if it will open up or not, but it's an opportunity that can open up. " And he added: "We will see that the time will come when a pope will perhaps revise this, I am not ready to revise it yet. But obviously it is a matter of discipline, which has nothing to do with dogma has to do."

Source