Australian priests' council asks synod to rethink priestly celibacy

Published: 2005-01-26

SYDNEY, Australia (CNS) -- Australia's National Council of Priests has asked this October's Synod of Bishops on the Eucharist to reconsider the obligation of priestly celibacy. The council also asked that marriage not disqualify someone from ordination and that the church consider readmitting priests who left the priesthood to marry. The council, a nationwide professional organization of Catholic bishops, priests and deacons, posted the letter on its Web site, which said about half of Australia's clergy are members. The council chairman, Father Hal Ranger, said the comments were sent in response to Vatican requests for response to the synod's preparatory document, or "lineamenta." The preparatory document was mailed to bishops' conferences last March and later was posted online. Responses to the preparatory document were due at the Vatican Dec. 31. The priests' council response, which several times indicated its members' fidelity to church teaching, requested that "the synod fathers examine honestly the appropriateness of insisting upon a priesthood that is, with very few exceptions, obliged to be celibate. Priesthood is a gift, celibacy is a gift: They are not the same gift."

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