Those who want to overturn the ancient
discipline are energetic, well organised and influential. But can they
persuade Pope Francis to make such a radical change?
The Catholic Church is once again embroiled in arguments about
whether priestly celibacy has a place in today’s world. As Catholicism
in most Western countries faces a rapidly ageing priesthood, a severe
shortage of vocations and declining congregations, abolishing or at
least relaxing the ancient rule has become a major item on the agenda of
those who advocate large-scale change in the Church. Moreover, the very
idea of requiring perpetual celibacy from the clergy seems odd to
today’s secular society.http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/commentandblogs/2016/02/25/the-new-push-to-end-priestly-celibacy/