Wisconsin Priests Argue for Optional Celibacy

For the first time in many years, a large group of priests has spoken out against the requirement of mandatory celibacy for clergy in the Roman Catholic Church. Celibacy has long been an important feature of Catholic clergy, even though it is not absolutely necessary for being a priest. Because of this, it has engendered a great deal of debate in recent decades.

Newsday reports on the letter signed by 160 priests:

"We join our voices to those of so many others at this time, voices urging that diocesan priesthood now be open to married men as well as to celibate men," the letter said. ... "Given the present context of the scandals of the last several years, many see optional celibacy as something that needs to be discussed. It opens up the pool of candidates for the priesthood," [Rev. Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils] said.

There are also thousands of married priest in the Roman Catholic Church - it makes little sense not to allow more, except that the church hierarchy tends to find anything that breaks with tradition to be loathsome. Perhaps celibacy should be encouraged, but there is little basis for making it mandatory.

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Roman Catholicism

Catholicism & Homosexuality