Catholic World News News Feature

Filipino Priest Challenges Celibacy, Weds Woman June 08, 1998

MANILA, Philippines (CWNews.com) - A Filipino priest challenged the canon law of the Catholic Church last week by marrying a woman, a violation of the rule of celibacy for Catholic priests that has existed for more than 1,000 years.

Although men in some rites of the Catholic Church, as well as some Protestant ministers who convert to Catholicism, may be married prior to being ordained, priests are forbidden to marry afterwards, unless they are laicized, a process by which their priestly faculties are removed. Father Hector Canto, 37, said he did not marry 25-year-old Cynthia Diamante in order to rebel against the Church, but said he did believe Pope John Paul should make celibacy optional.

Father Canto, who lives in remote Lubanao in the central Philippines, had his priestly faculties suspended and was forbidden to exercise his ministry, but continues to work in his parish, including celebrating Mass. The wedding was presided over by fellow priest Father Jesus Siva at the Shrine of Mount Zion church on May 31, and also had his faculties suspended. He also plans to be married soon.

Father Canto allowed a major Manila television news network to film the wedding, and came to the wedding dressed in priestly vestments, causing critics to accuse him of sacrilege. Father Canto said Diamante was not his first girlfriend. "We are (supposed to be) celibate, but we have some secrets ... We cannot control human nature," Father Siva said.