Download The world 🌎of news app and enjoy additional content
A senior Vatican official and advisor to Pope Francis has said that the Roman Catholic Church should “seriously think” about allowing priests to marry, in a rare departure from the centuries-old tradition of celibacy.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, made the remark in an interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, published on Sunday. He said that the issue of priestly celibacy was “not a dogma of the Church” and could be open to discussion.
“The question of celibacy is a question of discipline, not of faith. It can change,” Parolin said. “The Church can seriously think about it, with a deep discernment.”
Parolin’s comment comes amid a shortage of priests in many parts of the world, especially in remote and rural areas, where some faithful have to wait for months to attend a Mass. Some bishops have proposed ordaining married men, known as “viri probati”, as a possible solution.
Pope Francis has said that he is open to studying the possibility of ordaining married men, but has ruled out allowing existing priests to marry. He has also said that celibacy is “a gift for the Church” and that he does not agree with making it optional.
The issue of priestly celibacy is expected to be discussed at a synod, or meeting, of bishops from the Amazon region, scheduled for October 2023. The synod will address the challenges facing the Church in the region, including environmental, social and pastoral issues.
The Roman Catholic Church has required its priests to remain celibate since the 12th century, although there have been exceptions. Some Eastern Catholic Churches, which are in communion with Rome, allow married men to be ordained. The Anglican and Protestant churches also allow their clergy to marry.
