Vatican City: Emeritus Benedict XVI has publicized his disagreement with regard to the marriage of priests to the priesthood. He warned against abolition of the priesthood in his book From the Depth of Our Hearts: Priesthood, Celebration, and the Crisis of the Catholic Church, with Cardinal Robert Sara, head of the Vatican Congregation. Benedict XVI says that the celibacy of Catholic priests is centuries old and requires celibacy to focus on their duties. The Scriptures also state that the two ordinances of God (priesthood and marriage) cannot be taken together.
It is interesting to note that the book comes out amid moves to consider married priests in the Amazon to address the lack of priests. The French version of the book is expected to be released on Wednesday (January 15) and the English version in February. A document prepared at the end of the Synod to discuss the Amazon region this past October suggested that married couples be considered priests. This proposal, now supported by the South American bishops, is now being considered by the Pope. Reports suggest that the Pope will make a decision in a few months.
