Amazon bishops call on pope for ordination of married men as priests

[muriel_volestrangler]

Catholic bishops from across the Amazon have called for the ordination of married men as priests to address a scarcity of clergy in the region, a challenge to the centuries-old tradition in the church.

The majority of the 180 bishops from nine South American countries in the Amazon basin region on Saturday also called for the Vatican to re­open a debate on ordaining women as deacons, saying “it is urgent for the church in the Amazon to promote and confer ministries for men and women in an equitable manner”.

It is the first time a summit of Catholic bishops has backed such a historic change to the tradition of celibacy among priests. The proposal, while limited to remote areas in South America and to married men already ordained as deacons in the church, is seen by many as setting a precedent that could bring an end to the restriction on married Catholic priests throughout the world.
...
Speaking afterwards, the pope said he would reopen the work of a 2016 commission that studied the issue of women deacons. He promised that the Vatican would continue to study the role of women in the early years of the church. “We still haven’t grasped the significance of women in the church. Their role must go well beyond questions of function,” he said.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/26/amazon-bishops-call-on-pope-for-ordination-of-married-men-as-priests

It's now well recognised this was just a rule started to keep property inside the church; the only thing keeping it going is reflex conservatism. It shouldn't take an organisation with a will to keeping going much to change it.

[Ron Obvious]

1. Christ, Amazon has Bishops now?

I can't believe how many industries they have taken over all ready.

[Dorian Gray]

2. Next thing you know

Google Bishops will be pushing for female priests