An African archbishop has said there are worse sins than priests who have promised to be celibate having sex. Archbishop Peter Akwasi Sarpong, who is Archbishop emeritus of Kumasi archdiocese in Ghana, was responding to people accusing priests of having sex. “Of course it is against their vows and it is inimical to the growth Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Celibacy’
Vatican secretary of state defends celibacy
Friday, February 12th, 2016
The Vatican’s Secretary of State has said that the need for solutions to shortages of priests does not justify scrapping celibacy. Speaking at Rome’s Pontifical Gregorian University last week, Cardinal Pietro Parolin stressed that celibacy is a gift that must be received and nurtured with “joyful perseverance”. He acknowledged that the lack of priests in Read more
Bishop tells of papal veiled hint at more married priests
Tuesday, February 9th, 2016
A German bishop has recounted an incident in which Pope Francis showed no opposition to the concept of more married priests. The auxiliary Bishop of Hamburg, Bishop Hans-Jochen Jaschke, spoke of this on a German television talk show “Nachtcafe”. Bishop Jaschke mentioned the meeting between the German bishops and the Pope on November 20 last Read more
English bishops say no to ordaining married men as priests
Friday, December 11th, 2015
The bishops of England and Wales have rejected a proposal to ordain married men to the priesthood. Bishop Seamus Cunningham of Hexham and Newcastle proposed the motion at the bishops’ plenary meeting last month. He did this on behalf of the Council of Priests in his diocese. The proposal was rejected after a “thoughtful discussion”, Read more
Pope promotes prelate who called for celibacy shift
Tuesday, November 10th, 2015
A prelate who has previously called for a relaxation of mandatory celibacy for priests has been appointed as the de facto head of the Catholic Church in Belgium. Pope Francis has named Archbishop Jozef de Kesel as the new Archbishop of Mechelen-Brussels. Currently the Bishop of Bruges, Archbishop-elect De Kesel is seen as a moderate Read more
UK bishop questions family synod celibate dominance
Friday, October 9th, 2015
An English bishop has admitted that he struggles with the notion of hundreds of celibate men discussing family issues at a synod. Speaking ahead of the synod on the family in Rome, Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton said “there is a bit of an issue”. “I thought I understood marriage and family life because I Read more
Papal advisor backs married priests, women deacons
Tuesday, July 28th, 2015
An advisor appointed by Pope Benedict XVI has said married priests and women deacons would bring a new dynamism to the Church. Dietmar Winkler said married priests and women deacons should be reintroduced as soon as possible. He was appointed an adviser to the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity by Pope Benedict XVI and Read more
Momentum growing for married priests in England and Wales
Tuesday, July 14th, 2015
The unique experience of the Catholic Church in England and Wales could give weight to any case it might put for more married priests, a bishop says. Emeritus Bishop Thomas McMahon of Brentwood told The Tablet he thought it could be argued the Church in England and Wales was in a unique position to prompt Read more
‘The Thrill of the Chaste’
Tuesday, May 5th, 2015
It is frustrating for Catholics who love their faith to realise what a bad public relations job the Church often makes of it. We insiders know that “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free” isn’t just a clever slogan; it actually delivers. Whatever our human crosses, our faith is about Read more
Celibacy does not create sex offenders
Friday, December 19th, 2014
When Tim Gunn, Lady Gaga, Sir Isaac Newton or Leonardo da Vinci declares themselves celibate, no-one fears that will make them a danger to the public. History tells us and research shows that many people live perfectly happy, healthy lives, relating well to people of both sexes and all ages, without having sex for many Read more