Head of Catholic Church says he sees ‘no contradiction for a priest to marry’, in an interview published in Argentine media.
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer in The Vatican on Sunday CREDIT: VATICAN MEDIA
Priests could be allowed to have sex in future, Pope Francis has suggested as he said he was open to reviewing the practice of celibacy.
In an interview published in the Argentinian media last week, Francis said “There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. Celibacy in the Western Church is a temporary prescription.”
“It is not eternal like priestly ordination, which is forever.”
Celibacy was only made a requirement by the Roman Catholic Church in the 11th century. The move was introduced partly for financial reasons: clergy without spouses were more likely to leave their wealth to the church.
The Vatican currently enforces celibacy among priests, citing the example set by Jesus. But there are growing calls to drop the rule as the Catholic Church deals with the fall-out from child abuse scandals around the world.
When asked if he would be open to reviewing the requirement, Francis said: “Yes, yes. In fact, everyone in the Eastern Church is married. Or those who want to. There they make a choice. Before ordination there is the choice to marry or to be celibate.”
The Eastern Church is a branch of Catholicism that recognises the authority of the Pope but allows leeway for national traditions and liturgies.
Francis’ openness to reviewing celibacy marks a shift from his position in 2019, when he said: “Personally, I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I would say that I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy, no.”
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