Celibacy Archives

German Catholics, California both live up to their billing in Super Tuesday votes

Mar 5, 2020

Germany has become to Church politics what California is on the American scene, meaning a strongly blue state which tends to favor the most progressive choice on any menu.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Retired pope wants his name removed as co-author of book on celibacy

Jan 14, 2020

At the request of retired Pope Benedict XVI, his name will be removed as co-author of a book defending priestly celibacy, said Cardinal Robert Sarah, the Vatican official who coordinated work on the book.

By Cindy Wooden

Cardinal denies he manipulated retired pope on celibacy book

Jan 14, 2020

The Vatican cardinal who co-authored a bombshell book with Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI reaffirming priestly celibacy on Tuesday strongly denied he manipulated the retired pope into publishing.

By Nicole Winfield

New celibacy kerfuffle sparks debate over role of pope emeritus

Jan 14, 2020

New comments by retired Pope Benedict XVI backing clerical celibacy while Pope Francis considers making an exception to the rule in the Amazon has prompted widespread debate, with many calling for clarification on the role of a pope emeritus.

By Elise Harris

Pope Benedict XVI breaks silence to reaffirm priest celibacy

Jan 13, 2020

Retired Pope Benedict XVI has broken his silence to reaffirm the “necessity” of priestly celibacy, co-authoring a bombshell book at the precise moment that Pope Francis is weighing whether to allow married men to be ordained to address the Catholic priest shortage.

By Nicole Winfield

Top Vatican official says celibacy, homosexuality not cause of abuse crisis

Dec 14, 2019

On the rare occasions Spanish Father Jordi Bertomeu speaks, his words have weight. The CDF official recently penned a long essay on the clerical abuse crisis, pointing to many myths perpetrated by the media.

By Inés San Martín

Global debate gets underway over married Catholic priests

Nov 9, 2019

Germany’s Catholics reacted enthusiastically when bishops from across the Amazon called for the ordination of married men as priests to address the clergy shortage in that region. Such reforms have been pushed for decades by many German bishops and lay groups who hope it can lead to the liberalization of centuries of Catholic tradition.

By Kirsten Grieshaber

After their call for married priests, pope thanks bishops

Oct 27, 2019

On the heels of a bold call by Amazon region bishops for married men to become priests, Pope Francis is urging openness to new ways, and in a possible slap at conservative critics who fear he is weakening the Catholic Church’s foundations, he cautions faithful against entering the “swampy waters of ideologies.”

By Associated Press