The scandal of child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church will not
be over until the lessons of this global tragedy are recognised and
acted upon. From my own experience, I am convinced that to set things
right the church (for which I retain respect) must abolish the
requirement for priestly celibacy. The good news is that this change can be made.
The requirement for celibacy has no basis in scripture; no aspect of Catholic faith is at stake in its abolition. It is a matter of what is termed "discipline" in the church and became mandatory only from the second Lateran council of 1139. Prominent church leaders have recently confirmed that it is open for debate. Pope Francis acknowledges the rule can change. The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, favours abolition.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-catholic-church-must-drop-celibacy-for-its-priests-or-lose-school-funding-20160722-gqbzaq.html
The requirement for celibacy has no basis in scripture; no aspect of Catholic faith is at stake in its abolition. It is a matter of what is termed "discipline" in the church and became mandatory only from the second Lateran council of 1139. Prominent church leaders have recently confirmed that it is open for debate. Pope Francis acknowledges the rule can change. The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, favours abolition.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/the-catholic-church-must-drop-celibacy-for-its-priests-or-lose-school-funding-20160722-gqbzaq.html