Cardinal Schönborn again indicates readiness to question priestly celibacy
May 18, 2010
Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna has repeated his argument that the Church should re-examine the question of priestly celibacy. Responding to questions about a public statement by outgoing Bishop Paul Iby of Eisenstadt, who had called for an end to mandatory celibacy, Cardinal Schönborn said: "The concern that Bishop Iby expressed is shared by all of us."
While he did not endorse a change in current Church discipline, the cardinal said that he was "happy to be in a Church in which there is freedom of speech and opinion."
The Catholic Church in Austria has been under heavy pressure from dissident groups like We Are Church to end the celibacy requirement.
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Further information:
- Schönborn shares Iby’s concern about celibacy (Austrian Independent)
- Austrian bishop calls for end to priestly celibacy, consideration of ordination for women (CWN 5/12)
- European prelates speak on abuse, priestly celibacy: a connection? (CWN, 3/11)
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Posted by: Bernadette -
May. 27, 2010 2:04 PM ET USA
Again, it appears we have bishops who are unclear about the problem of homosexuality in the priesthood. Is it possible that they still think that by allowing married priests, in general, this will eliminate child abuse among those few priests who have sinned in this manner? Or, do they think more men will feel the call to priesthood if they can be married priests? The identical problems in the Protestant ecclesial communities indicate otherwise. Women priests? Just look at the Anglicans!
