Pope Francis says he is open to married men becoming priests to combat the Roman Catholic Church’s shortage of clergy.
In an interview with German newspaper Die Zeit, Pope Francis said the
lack of Catholic priests was an “enormous problem” for the Church, and
indicated he would be open to a change in the rules governing
eligibility for the priesthood.
lack of Catholic priests was an “enormous problem” for the Church, and
indicated he would be open to a change in the rules governing
eligibility for the priesthood.
“We need to consider if ‘viri probati’ could be a possibility,” he
said. “If so, we would need to determine what duties they could
undertake, for example, in remote communities.”
said. “If so, we would need to determine what duties they could
undertake, for example, in remote communities.”
Viri probati is the Latin term for “tested men” or married men of outstanding faith and virtue.
The option would allow men who are already married to be ordained as
priests. But single men who are already priests would not be allowed to
marry, according to the Pope.
priests. But single men who are already priests would not be allowed to
marry, according to the Pope.
CNN
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