A global debate begins on married Catholic priests

priests to address the shortage of clergy in that region, although there was resistance somewhere else. Such reforms have been pushed for decades by many German bishops and lay groups, in the hope that they might lead to the liberalization of centuries of Roman Catholic tradition. (AP Photo/Michael Probst, File)” width=”2000″ height=”1300″ style=”opacity:0″/>

BERLIN (AP) — German Catholics reacted enthusiastically when bishops across the Amazon called for the ordination of married men as priests to address the shortage of clergy in that region. Such reforms have been pushed for decades by many German bishops and lay groups who hope they can lead to the liberalization of centuries of Roman Catholic tradition.

There is resistance elsewhere for the proposal, however, with the conservative Catholic establishment ensuring its voice is heard as Pope Francis prepares his own document – expected by the end of the year – which could determine whether married priests and female deacons will eventually become a reality in the Amazon. .

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode of Osnabrueck, Germany, welcomed the proposals and suggested that a European synod similar to last month’s assembly by Amazon bishops could be a useful way to address the issues. urgent on the continent.

He told the Kirchenbote newspaper of the Osnabrueck diocese that although the recommendations of the Amazon synod would not be individually transferable to Europe, they could point the way to a similar type of priesthood in Germany that allows work and family to be combined.

“With regard to the role of women in our societal and ecclesiastical situation, the recommendations are a tailwind for our efforts so far,” Bode said.

A powerful secular organization, the Central Committee of German Catholics, or ZdK, has stressed that its congregations are also concerned about these issues.

“Whether we still have enough priests who live in celibacy and can perform all the necessary tasks in the community is a question that must also be asked in Germany,” ZdK Vice President Karin said on Friday. Kortmann, to the Associated Press.

“It’s fair to ask how we can open offices within the church without compromising basic principles,” Kortmann said. “It’s also a matter of credibility that we discuss women’s access to all offices within the church.”

The ZdK will participate in the biennial meetings of the “synodal path” with the German Bishops’ Conference which will hold its first plenary session in January in Frankfurt. He is widely expected to push for married priests and the ordination of women, among other reforms.

The vicars general of 10 German archdioceses sent a letter to the bishops’ conference and the ZdK on Tuesday, saying they also consider that “fundamental reforms of the Church in Germany are urgently needed, even essential.”

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich and president of the bishops’ conference, expressed support for the Amazon synod’s proposal, but refrained from calling for global recognition of married priests. In a statement after its end, Marx tried to calm the expectations of German Catholics by saying that “the synod was not about the abolition of celibacy, that will not happen”.

The Catholic Church already allows married priests in Eastern Rite churches and in cases where Anglican, Lutheran or Protestant married priests have converted to Catholicism. But if Francis accepts the synod’s proposal, it would mark a first for the Latin Rite church in a millennium and could help the church compete with evangelical and Protestant churches gaining converts, particularly in South America.

The synod’s proposals were not universally adopted outside the region.

Some key cardinals in the Vatican and elsewhere have voiced their opposition, warning that priests married in the Amazon would create far-reaching negative effects on the priesthood elsewhere for the 1.2 billion-member church, while opening the door to a problem. even more serious: What to do with divorced priests.

Most of these critics belong to the conservative camp of the hierarchy, which has been bolder in expressing skepticism or outright opposition to Francis. They are among high-profile critics rocking the papacy over issues such as the clerical sex abuse scandal, allegations of financial irregularities in the Holy See and doctrinal concerns.

Perhaps the most surprising critic was Cardinal Marc Ouellet, head of the powerful Vatican bishops’ office and one of Francis’ top advisers. Ouellet, seen as a possible papal candidate, published a book on the eve of the Amazon synod affirming the value of the celibate priesthood and expressing skepticism that married priests would solve the clergy shortage.

A more predictable “no” came from Cardinal Robert Sarah, an arch-conservative from Guinea whom Francis has kept in the Vatican liturgy office despite strong ideological differences. He also published a book on the eve of the synod lamenting the “dark night” of crisis for the Church, citing the sex abuse scandal as well as general doubt about Catholic doctrine and morals, and emphasizing the value of celibacy. priestly.

“I often hear it said that (celibacy) is only a matter of historical discipline. I think that’s wrong. Celibacy reveals the very essence of the Christian priesthood. Talking about it as a secondary reality is hurtful to all priests in the world,” he said.

Outside the Vatican, Cardinal Camillo Ruini – a curator who was Saint John Paul II’s vicar in Rome and head of the Italian bishops’ conference – also criticized the proposal and said he “hopes and prays that the pope… does not confirm it”. .”

Ruini acknowledged the shortage of priests in the Amazon and said the proposal was understandable, “but I think it’s the wrong choice,” he told Corriere della Sera. “The celibacy of priests is a great sign of total devotion to God in the service of your brothers, especially in an eroticized context such as today.”

Ruini also suggested that married priests would inevitably lead to divorced priests.

“Marriage today is in deep crisis: married priests and their wives would be exposed to the effects of this crisis, and their human and spiritual condition could not avoid it,” he said.

Most U.S. bishops have so far avoided outright statements about the synod.

One of the most outspoken is Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville, Tennessee, who says celibacy “is a man’s living gift to the church and should be the norm.”

In an interview with the AP, Stika said there are practical reasons for excluding married priests, at least in the United States. Many dioceses are struggling financially and would struggle to support a household that includes a priest’s wife and children, he said. It could also limit a bishop’s ability to transfer priests with a family.

“I know the pressures of being a celibate priest,” Stika said. “If you then have a family of six, your primary calling should be your family, not your parish.”

Brazilian Bishop Mário Antônio da Silva of the Amazon Diocese of Roraima, who attended the synod, said the Amazon needs married priests and ordained women.

“I defend celibacy for those who feel the priestly call. But I also say: we need new collaborators in our communities,” Da Silva told the AP. “The ordination of married men fulfills this need, so I am in favour.”

He suggested that the concept could eventually spread beyond the Amazon.

“It is a process that needs to move forward for the maturity of our church,” Da Silva said, “not just in the Amazon, but who knows, maybe in other parts of the church, on our continent and in the whole world”.

“We want Pope Francis to help us move forward,” he said.

___

Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in the Vatican, David Crary in New York and Luis Andres Henao in Buenos Aires, Argentina, contributed.