Brazilian priests not keen on celibacy

AGI is reporting:

Brazilian priests have spoken directly to Pope Benedict XVI to ask him for a revision of the canonical law obliging celibacy for those carrying out priestly functions.

The story mentions a report in a Spanish paper, in which an unnamed bishop is quoted saying that

married laymen have long been ordained in Brazil. "Rome is aware of the fact, but does not want it to be made public." Brazilian priests have also asked for the appointing of priests to be made more democratic, and for those who have divorced to have a right to the sacraments as well.

Read it all. (Hat tip: Religion News Service.)

Posted by Jim Naughton on February 23, 2008 4:52 PM | |
Comments (2)

The article doesn't note it, but the Brazilian church is the largest Catholic church in the world and by a substantial margin - for some figures
10 Nations with Most Catholics
(Number of baptized Catholics)
Brazil 86.50% 134,818,000
Mexico 95.30% 86,305,000
USA 26.00% 61,000,000
Philippines
83.60% 58,735,000
Italy 97.20% 55,599,000
France 82.10% 47,773,000
Spain 94.20% 36,956,000
Poland 95.40% 36,835,000
Colombia
91.90% 32,260,000
Argentina
90.70% 31,546,000
Germany
34.80% 28,403,000
It will be interesting to see how the Vatican responds.

Posted by Donald Schell [TypeKey Profile Page] | February 24, 2008 1:38 AM

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