Latest
Priestly Celibacy Vatican Information Service 4 December 2006
- Written by: Alex Walker
DECLARATION OF CARDINAL HUMMES ON PRIESTLY CELIBACY VATICAN CITY, DEC 4, 2006 (VIS) - Given below is the text of a declaration made today by Cardinal Claudio Hummes O.F.M., prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, concerning his comments on priestly celibacy that appeared on the pages of "Estado de Sao Paolo," a Brazilian newspaper. "On the subject of the echoes provoked by my words as reported by the newspaper 'Estado de Sao Paulo,' I would like to specify the following: "In the Church it has always been clear that priests' obligation to celibacy is not a dogma but a disciplinary norm. Indeed, it is valid for the Latin Church but not for the oriental rites where, even in communities united to the Catholic Church, it is normal for there to be married priests. "Yet it is also clear that the norm prescribing celibacy for priests in the Latin Church is very ancient and is founded upon consolidated tradition and upon strong motivations, both theological-spiritual and practical-pastoral, as reiterated also by Popes. "Even during the recent Synod on priests, the most widespread opinion among the fathers was that a relaxation of the rule of celibacy would not be a solution even to the problem of the lack of vocations, which is, rather, to be linked to other causes, in the first place the modern culture of secularization. This is clear also from the experience of other Christian confessions that have married priests and pastors. "This question is not, then, currently on the order of the day for the ecclesial authorities, as was recently reiterated following the latest meeting of heads of dicastery with the Holy Father." .../PRIESTLY CELIBACY/HUMMES VIS 061204 (280) In case reacders wish to see this 'clarification'. Peter H
Bishops vote to Fund Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal Study
- Written by: Tim Levan
The US bishops' conference voted last week to release US$335,000 for new research into the causes of clergy sexual abuse. The money - part of a $1 million fund earmarked by the bishops last year - will finance the first segment of a new three-part study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Read more: Bishops vote to Fund Clergy Sex Abuse Scandal Study
BBC Radio Manchester
- Written by: Alex Walker
Alex Walker chatted with Terry Christian and Fr Michael Walsh on the Breakfast Show this morning. Some people seem to be getting excited about the special meeting taking place in Rome regarding the colourful Archbishop Milingo. I cannot imagine there will be any announcement on the celibacy rule, other than to reinforce its necessity for candidates to the priesthood (apart from the Anglican converts, that is).
Advent AGM 2006
- Written by: Alex Walker
The Advent AGM for 2006 is on Saturday 11th November at St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham, B4 6EU from 11 am to 4 pm. We shall share news and views about our current concerns, and yours would be most welcome! There will be brief reports of Advent business and our representative at the National Conference of Priests will report back on the September meeting. Please bring a lunch to share. Coffee and tea will be provided from 11 am onwards. MAP
Church on the Move
- Written by: Alex Walker
Cher ami, Vous trouverez ci-joint une demande très urgente avant la rencontre du réseau européen Kirche im Aufbruch / Eglise et Libertés. J'espère que vous comprenez assez le français.
Dear Friend, Here you receive an urgent request before the meeting of Church on the Move. I hope you understand french enough... Best wishes from the European Federation of Married Priests! Pierre Collet
The documents can be found in Downloads under Married Priests Europe: A F Gollbach and Annexe 1 to 4. You will need to log in or register in order to read them