2 Belgian bishops question celibacy discipline

September 21, 2010

Two Belgian bishops are questioning the value of the discipline of mandatory priestly celibacy in the Latin Rite.

“I think the Church must ask itself the question of whether it is appropriate to keep the mandatory character of celibacy,” said Bishop Josef De Kesel, who was installed as bishop of Bruges in July. “We could say that there are celibate priests, but that people for whom celibacy is humanly impossible should also have the chance of becoming priests.”

Bishop Kesel’s predecessor, Bishop Roger Vangheluwe, resigned in disgrace in April after admitting he repeatedly abused a minor in the 1980s. It was later revealed that the minor was his nephew.

“I don’t think it would be stupid for married men to also become priests,” added Bishop Patrick Hoogmartens of Hasselt, who called the discipline “useless,” according to Agence France-Presse. “I can imagine two sorts of priesthood,” he said. “Those who live celibately and those who have a relationship-- are married.”

In its wire story on the bishops’ comments, the Associated Press inaccurately reported that “the number of priests around the world continues to decline.” The number of priests worldwide in fact rose from 405,178 in 2000 to 409,166 in 2008. In addition, the number of major seminarians worldwide rose from 63,882 in 1978, when Venerable John Paul II was elected pontiff, to 117,024 in 2008-- an increase of 83%, far outstripping world and Catholic population growth.

The Second Vatican Council offered high praise for the discipline of clerical celibacy in its Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests.

 

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Further information:

• Abuse cases prompt Belgian bishops celibacy review (AFP)
• 2 Belgian bishops want debate on priest celibacy (AP)
• Number of Catholics Increases Worldwide (Zenit)
• Second Vatican Council: Decree on the Ministry and Life of Priests (no. 16)