As reported in the New York Times (front page on Sunday) and other news outlets as well, at the conclusion of the Amazonian Synod in Rome, bishops from the Amazon region have advised Pope Francis to allow the ordination of married men (of proven virtue) as Roman Catholic priests in this vast and challenging region of the world.
Sadly right now, people of the Amazon region, who are dealing with an array of problems, do not have a sufficient amount of priests to minister to them. I was disturbed to learn recently that many can only receive Eucharist three times a year due to the lack of priests. That is unacceptable to God and all others of good conscience. Besides the sacraments being deprived, they also lack pastoral care. It's simply unjust.
What would the Holy Spirit recommend? I hope and pray that Pope Francis prays and fasts during the coming months, before making a recommendation.
Mandatory celibacy is a Church law, not a doctrine and church laws can be changed.
In my humble opinion, this law is hurting the church and it's evangelizing efforts.
For some, the discipline works and helps foster spiritual growth, but for others it's too restricting. Not all can live without companionship, love, nurturing touch, and the comforting presence of another in one's life. Why can't there be an Order of Married Priests, so you can have both celibate priests (if that is their call) and married priests. Not one or the other but both options.
So let's see what Pope Francis decides. According to what I've read, "the pope is expected to respond to the proposals by the end of this year."
If he decides to keep the status quo, then he can just assume that Protestant evangelicals will continue to evangelize (along with their wives), in the Amazon region and Catholicism will continue to lose Catholics to Protestantism. That's the reality and that is what the bishops from the Amazon region have spoken of to the Pope and others.
This is not about a liberal or conservative point of view or the purity and theology of the priesthood. This is about people who deserve better from the Church. They deserve Eucharist, Reconciliation, they deserve to have caring, thoughtful priests in their midst to perform baptisms, marriages and celebrate Mass. Whether they are married or not, does not matter to the people of the Amazon. They only want and need and deserve spiritual and religious fulfillment and communion with God through frequent Holy Communion.
NJA