celibacy
Synod of bishops to discuss ordaining married men
By Thomas Reese — June 19, 2019
(RNS) — Limiting ordination after marriage to 'mature men' will be portrayed as exceptional, but both traditionalists and progressives believe that it will spread to more and more situations.
Abolishing the priesthood will not save the Catholic Church
By Thomas Reese — May 21, 2019
(RNS) — In The Atlantic, James Carroll asserts that abolishing the priesthood in the Catholic Church is the only way to defeat the clericalism he blames for the sex abuse crisis. But as in other revolutions, a new cadre would simply replace the old guard.
Pope to gay priests: Be celibate or get out
By Thomas Reese — December 6, 2018
(RNS) — Consistent with his earlier writings about the priesthood, Francis' latest pronouncement is more about celibacy than homosexuality.
‘Acknowledging reality,’ a splinter church in Kenya ordains married Catholic priests
By Tonny Onyulo — October 16, 2018
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — Attracted by the prospect of serving God while raising a family, Catholic priests have left the mainstream faith for the Renewed Universal Catholic Church.
Why celibate LGBTQ Christians stir controversy on right and left alike
By Katelyn Beaty — August 16, 2018
(RNS) — Where many conservative Christian leaders denounce LGBT identity, many are unwilling to do the relational work of walking alongside same-sex-attracted Christians as they attempt a very difficult thing: lifelong celibacy.
The Catholic Church needs a way to deal with bad bishops
By Thomas Reese — July 26, 2018
(RNS) — Cardinal Sean O’Malley acknowledged this week that the church needs clearer norms and procedures for investigating and judging bishops. But O’Malley’s statement only raises further questions.
Revelations of US cardinal sex abuse will force pope’s hand
By Nicole Winfield — July 20, 2018
(RNS) — "We can't effectively prevent the sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable adults by clergy while habitual and widespread failures in celibacy are quietly tolerated," said a Catholic seminary official.
Priests, celibacy and sex
By Thomas Reese — July 16, 2018
(RNS) — Sex between a Catholic priest and adult can be more than simply a violation of celibacy. It can also be a violation of professional ethics. The church needs to learn from the “#MeToo” movement about the danger of sex between adults who are not equal in power.
The Rev. Tom Reese: Catholics will loosen up on clerical celibacy
By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2017
(RNS) We asked senior analyst Father Tom Reese to consider what 2018 will mean for religion.
Abandoning celibacy won’t stop sexual abuse by priests
By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2017
(RNS) — We know for a fact that noncelibate men, including married men, also abuse children.
Pope Francis meets ex-priests in gesture of mercy
By Josephine McKenna — November 11, 2016
ROME (RNS) The surprise visit to meet several men who left the priesthood and started a family could send a powerful message to church leaders.
Some African Catholics call on pope to let priests marry
By Tonny Onyulo — November 23, 2015
KAMPALA, Uganda (RNS) In a society that places a high value on marriage and childbearing, some in Africa hope to present Pope Francis with a petition this week asking that priests be allowed to wed.
Australians suggest celibacy played a role in clergy abuse scandal
By Josephine McKenna — December 12, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) “Obedience and closed environments also seem to have had a role in the prevalence of abuse within some religious orders and dioceses," the report said. "Obligatory celibacy may also have contributed to abuse.”
Brazilian bishop urges ordination of married community elders as priest shortage grows
By Benjamin Soloway — November 24, 2014
BELEM, Brazil (RNS) Brazil's National Conference of Bishops is considering a proposal to ordain married community elders as a way to ease the shortage of Catholic priests in rural areas.
5 reasons why we want to believe Jesus was married
By David Gibson — November 19, 2014
(RNS) A new claim that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married (and had kids!) has been widely dismissed by experts. But that won't be the last we'll hear of this theory. Here's why.
