Pope Francis is currently giving serious consideration to this remedy for the dramatic drop in the number of priests.

Previous popes refused to allow it - but, in places like the Amazon, there are virtually no priests.

Thus, older married men are being considered - men of good character called 'viri probati'.

Reuters say the numbers will be limited - but, if it happens, the ordination of married men will be the biggest sea change in the church - for many centuries.

Is there much call for priests in the Amazon? Cant they have some of ours? We are teeming with them here.


I would prefer my priest single and gay.

Well "The Enlightenment" has flooded the world of reason and science for centuries with light...Let's hope that such enclaves of medieval supersticion as the Catholic Church feel the change soon too...Maybe their advocates can love and feel sexual joy officially some time soon...

honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
Is there much call for priests in the Amazon?

In this region - of about 25 million people, in 8 countries and over 2 million square miles - there are less than 30 Catholic priests.

An WW2 veteran and author - Probo Vaccarini - recently turned 100, and celebrated the occasion with his four sons.

The five men are all Catholic priests.

When PV's wife died, he became a priest - at the age of 69 - having raised a family.

PV has said mass every day since his ordination, thirty-one years ago - and continues to do so.

The oldest serving priest in Italy - he has no plans to retire.

Barney wrote:
Pope Francis is currently giving serious consideration to this remedy for the dramatic drop in the number of priests.

Previous popes refused to allow it - but, in places like the Amazon, there are virtually no priests.

Thus, older married men are being considered - men of good character called 'viri probati'.

Reuters say the numbers will be limited - but, if it happens, the ordination of married men will be the biggest sea change in the church - for many centuries


A three week meeting of bishops started today, in Rome - to decide, whether or not, to allow married men to become priests.

In the light of the lack of young men, entering the priesthood - it is highly likely that selected individuals will be ordained.

For Francis, and the RCC - it's a huge leap, leading eventually to women priests.
More changes have occurred under Francis, than any other Pope.

It makes perfect sense to allow it.

Abstinence is self torture and not advisable IMO.

Men have urges.
I believe the reason we see so much controversy around priests etc in regards to accusations of sexual misconduct is because of abstinence.

As a female myself, if somebody told me I wasn't allowed to ( ahem) enjoy myself I wouldn't want to live.

Barney wrote:
honey!oh sugar sugar. wrote:
Is there much call for priests in the Amazon?

In this region - of about 25 million people, in 8 countries and over 2 million square miles - there are less than 30 Catholic priests.


Yes Bookworm - abstinence isn't good for anyone.

But the above described circumstances (not unique to the Amazon region) are the main reasons for married men to be ordained.

In Surrey (where I live), the three churches, in the local parish, had about 10 priests running them 20 years ago; now there's two.


To get married, christened or buried is now a major problem for Catholics...

Barney wrote:





To get married, christened or buried is now a major problem for Catholics...



[/quote]

Says who?
God or man?

Man can change their minds.
After all, it is human to do so.

Why are amendments called so?

No - it just seems the Catholic priesthood is just another redundant occupation these days.

Like bus ticket collectors, farriers, cinema usherettes, turnstile operators, linotype men - and street urchins.

Wouldn't they be better looking into the reasons why nobody wants to be a priest?

Yes - a redundant occupation is just one of the reasons.

Another main one is mandatory celibacy - which is clearly evidenced by the levels of sexual activity by priests.

Much of which has been the subject of investigations, legal cases and compensation - on every continent, because it invariably involved children.


The illegal activity is just the tip of many icebergs...

Barney wrote:
Yes - a redundant occupation is just one of the reasons.

Another main one is mandatory celibacy - which is clearly evidenced by the levels of sexual activity by priests.

Much of which has been the subject of investigations, legal cases and compensation - on every continent, because it invariably involved children.


The illegal activity is just the tip of many icebergs...




Being celibate cant make you abuse a child.

Why do you think they choose children?


Hint: are those children likely to end up in the confession booth?