Roman Catholic church could allow married men to become priests

[Eugene]

Source: The Guardian

Roman Catholic church could allow married men to become priests

Vatican summit to discuss proposal to address clergy shortage in remote Amazon areas

Angela Giuffrida in Rome and Harriet Sherwood
Mon 17 Jun 2019 14.33 BST Last modified on Mon 17 Jun 2019 14.54 BST

A Vatican document has called on the Roman Catholic church to consider allowing older married men to become priests in remote areas of the Amazon as a way to overcome the shortage of clergy in the region.

The recommendation will be discussed at a synod of bishops from the Amazon taking place at the Vatican in October.

A working document for the event says the possibility of ordaining “viri probati” – Latin for “men of proven virtue” – should be discussed.

“While affirming that celibacy is a gift for the church, there have been requests that, for the most remote areas of the region, the possibility of conferring priestly ordination on elderly men is discussed,” the document says.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/17/roman-catholic-church-could-allow-married-men-to-become-priests

[FBaggins]

1. They already do in other cases

Not even considering the eastern rite branches under the pope... there are ~200 married priests who are converts from other denominations (primarily Anglican) who have been accepted.

[keithbvadu2]

2. But not for all. Principles can be overlooked.

But not for all.

Principles can be overlooked.