Bishop declares his intention to ordain married men to the priesthood by 2028

Antwerp – A remarkable step: Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny wants to ordain "viri probati" (proven men) to the priesthood in the future. He emphasizes that this question has become a matter of conscience for bishops – and refers to the World Synod.

The bishop who wants to go further and faster

Antwerp Bishop Johan Bonny has announced his intention to ordain married men to the priesthood. He will "do everything in his power to ordain married men to the priesthood in our diocese by 2028," the bishop writes in a pastoral letter published Thursday regarding the implementation of the Synod's decisions in his diocese. He will personally approach the men and ensure that they have the necessary theological training and pastoral experience by then. "This preparation will be transparent but discreet, away from the media spotlight," Bonny states. "The next two years will also be dedicated to ensuring the necessary communication and arrangements with both the Belgian Bishops' Conference and the Vatican, as we can learn from each other."

The ordination of married men has become a matter of conscience for many bishops, Bonny emphasizes. This question arises in every synodal discussion among the faithful, he explains. "The question is no longer whether the Church can ordain married men to the priesthood, but when it will do so and who will do it. Any delay seems like an excuse."

Synodal-missionary process has no chance otherwise

As one of the reasons, Bonny cites the shortage of priests in his diocese. There are virtually no unmarried men there who want to be ordained. Foreign priests are currently filling the gaps. "But they cannot meet all our needs. They come to help us, not to replace us." Furthermore, there are already numerous married priests from the Eastern Catholic Churches or those who have converted from other Christian denominations. "No one can explain any longer why the ordination of married men is possible for seminarians from Eastern Catholic Churches or for Catholic converts, but not for those with an original Catholic vocation."

Bonny sees this step as an implementation of the results of the World Synod in his diocese. "It is an illusion to think that a serious synodal-missionary process in the West still has a chance without the ordination of married men to the priesthood," Bonny said. Following the conclusion of the second session of the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Germany (ESVD) and the publication of the final document in autumn 2024, the process initiated by Pope Francis (2013–2025) is currently in its implementation phase. Local churches are called upon to implement the recommendations from the final document by December 2026. A synod of churches is scheduled to take place in the Vatican in October 2028 to conclude the worldwide synodal process.

The ordination of suitable married men has been a topic of discussion within the Church for years. The Synod of the Amazon (2019) expressed support for the ordination of such "viri probati," but Pope Francis did not address this position in his post-synodal apostolic exhortation "Querida Amazonia" (2020). Catholic canon law requires priests to remain celibate.

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