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Pope and Curia Reaffirm Value of Priestly Celibacy

by Holy See

Description

On November 16, 2006, the Holy See Press Office released this short statement at the conclusion of Pope Benedict XVI’s meeting with heads of the dicasteries of the Roman Curia. The statement confirmed the Church’s adherence to the discipline of priestly celibacy for Latin Rite priests. The meeting was announced earlier this week as an opportunity for the Pope to meet with leaders of the Church’s various offices, “in order to examine the situation that has arisen following the disobedience of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, and to reflect upon requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy and requests for readmission to the priestly ministry, presented by married priests over the course of recent years.”

Publisher & Date

Vatican, November 16, 2006

"In the Apostolic Palace this morning, November 16, the Holy Father presided at one of the regular meetings of the heads of dicasteries of the Roman Curia, for a moment of shared reflection.

"The participants in the meeting had at their disposal detailed information concerning requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy presented during recent years, and concerning the possibility of readmission to the exercise of the ministry of priests who currently meet the conditions established by the Church.

"The value of the choice of priestly celibacy in accordance with Catholic tradition was reaffirmed, and the need for solid human and Christian formation was underlined, both for seminaries and for ordained priests."

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