This proposition, which suggests a potential waiver of clerical celibacy, aims to foster greater inclusivity and representation of First Nations Australians within the Church.

The views of Archbishop Coleridge (pictured) were shared during an interview with The Australian newspaper.

However, he clarified that the sensationalist headline, "End of celibacy nigh, says Brisbane Catholic Archbishop Mark Coleridge," may have exaggerated his statements.

"The headline went quite a way beyond what I actually said, but the article was fair enough," Archbishop Coleridge said in a subsequent interview with The Catholic Leader.

"Clerical celibacy is an undoubted value"

While Archbishop Coleridge doesn't foresee the complete abandonment of celibacy, he firmly believes that the question of its applicability is pertinent, particularly within Indigenous communities.

"Clerical celibacy is an undoubted value, but it's not an absolute value," he expressed.

"I have been more or less happily celibate through my life, and the Church would be greatly impoverished if celibacy were wholly abandoned.

"But the question is whether it should be mandatory for all, and the context of the question is the changing profile of the priesthood and the current needs of the People of God," the Archbishop concluded.

As the immediate past president of the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference, Archbishop Coleridge's insights carry substantial influence.

This becomes even more pertinent with the upcoming Synod on Synodality in Rome commencing in October.

Within this historical gathering, discussions surrounding clerical matters will undoubtedly play a crucial role.

In his interview with The Australian, Archbishop Coleridge candidly predicted that mandated priestly celibacy could see significant modifications. Although he couldn't definitively pinpoint when or how this transformation might occur, he emphasised that the question itself demands attention and contemplation.

Sources

Catholic Leader

CathNews New Zealand

Archbishop Coleridge (pictured) stressed the need for the Catholic Church to evolve in order to thrive, especially in diverse cultural contexts.

Coleridge has proposed that Indigenous priests be granted an exemption from the celibacy requirement, arguing that the church would struggle to recruit celibate clergy within certain cultures.

The Archbishop cited the case of West Australian Labor senator Patrick Dodson, the sole Indigenous man ever admitted to the Catholic priesthood, who eventually left the priesthood.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council chair John Lochowiak said devout Indigenous men had shunned the priesthood because it meant choosing between their family-orientated culture and serving God.

"A big part of our worldview is family … you're expected to have children as an Aboriginal man, and it is a big thing to turn your back on that to become a priest," Lochowiak told The Australian.

"For most of us, it is just too much. I think that is why you have had only one Aboriginal priest ordained after all these years, so I would welcome the (celibacy) question being looked at."

The discussion of ordaining married men is not entirely new within the Catholic Church.

A lesser-known provision allows married ministers from Anglican and other Protestant denominations to become Catholic priests, maintaining their marital status and family life.

Pope open to change

The celibacy issue was notably brought to the forefront after a special Vatican conference in 2019 suggested suspending the celibacy rule in the Amazon region of South America to address the shortage of priests.

Though Pope Francis initially showed openness to this idea, further contemplation was deemed necessary.

Archbishop Coleridge refrained from using the term "inevitable" to describe a relaxation of the priestly celibacy rule but emphasised the likelihood of change. He noted that there will likely come a point of maturation where allowing married men to become priests will seem like a natural progression rather than a sudden upheaval of tradition.

The push for change to priestly celibacy is gaining support from other church leaders as well. Bishop of Darwin Charles Gauci expressed openness to discussions about ordaining married men, particularly within Indigenous communities, respecting their cultural context.

"I am of the opinion that it is a question that will continue to be raised," he told The Australian. "It is certainly not going away. I would not say that (change) is ­inevitable - the universal church has much to decide on this ­matter."

Change does not contradict church teaching

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference National Centre for Pastoral Research director Trudy Dantis said the ordination of married men did not contradict church teaching and should be considered.

Dr Dantis said calls for the ordination of married men as Catholic priests - allowed in Protestant denominations as well as Eastern Orthodox churches - had emerged "quite strongly" in Australian consultations for the Synod on Synodality.

"Given that this model does not contradict church teaching, I believe it is worthwhile considering alongside the current celibate clergy model which continues to have strong value and appeal for many," she said.

Archbishop Coleridge said he would not be attending the Synod on Synodality in October, convened by the Pope. It would be up to others to push for changes to priestly celibacy.

In line with church practice, he will offer his resignation as Archbishop of Brisbane to Francis on turning 75 next month.

Sources

The Weekend Australian

The Australian

CathNews New Zealand

The Statement was signed in 2017 by 250 aboriginal and Torres Strait islander leaders.

It calls for the establishment of a ‘First Nations Voice' in the Australian Constitution and a ‘Makarrata Commission' to supervise a process of ‘agreement-making' and ‘truth-telling' between governments and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

So far it has not received backing from Australian lawmakers.

"… I call on all people of goodwill and good intention to support the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by endorsing the Uluru Statement From the Heart and putting it into action in every way possible," Coleridge said when endorsing the statement after a special Mass for First Nations leaders and parish representatives last Friday.

"Only a heart of stone could allow the indigenous peoples to become aliens, exiles, and refugees in their own land," he said.

"God is going to take out of us that heart of stone and give us a heart of flesh - the heart of Jesus… that recognises the other as a human being.

"What has been done to the indigenous peoples of this land could only have been done by denying that they were in fact human - they were at best perhaps subhuman.

"A heart of flesh says no to that, absolutely no."

The Mass and Coleridge's proclamation were part of his historic visit to the coastal lands of the Quandamooka people east of Brisbane this week - just days before the start of the Church's Plenary Council of Australia.

One of the Plenary's key themes is "renewing the Church's solidarity with First Australians".

To date, Government policies have largely failed Australia's First Nations peoples.

Coleridge said the poor health and incarceration rates of indigenous Australians - the highest in the world - is "a national disgrace".

"Our role is not to do things on behalf of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples but to listen to them, to learn from them, to accompany them, and to support them to determine their own future.

"In 1967 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders people were counted for the first time, and now they seek to be heard.

"So as Archbishop I call on all people of goodwill and good intention to support the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by endorsing the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and by putting it into action in every way possible."

It is considered significant that Coleridge chose the traditional lands of the Quandamooka country to proclaim his support for the Uluru Statement.

It was the site of Australia's first Catholic mission to First Nations peoples in 1843.

Dean Parkin, a Quandamooka Uluru Statement signatory (pictured with Coleridge), welcomed the Church's support.

An indigenous body advising parliament would lead to better indigenous affairs policy on law making, which would lead to better outcomes and more efficient use of government funds, he said.

"The key thing is to give voice to those who have been previously unheard."

Source

• The Tablet
• The Catholic Leader
• Image: Archdiocese of Brisbane