A Catholic bishop said he would push the Vatican for permission to ordain married men as priests by 2028, in an unusual statement that may test Pope Leo’s willingness to change Church teaching to address the issue of dwindling clergy numbers.
The Catholic Church has largely maintained a celibate priesthood for centuries. Although the practice could be changed by a pope, it would be a major shift in doctrine that pontiffs have resisted for decades.
Johan Bonny, bishop of Antwerp in Belgium since 2009 and known for taking progressive positions, said in a public letter to his parishioners released on Thursday that he would make “every effort” to ordain married men within two years and would identify men to train as priests.
Bishops in the 1.4-billion-member Church vow obedience to the pope and it is very unusual for them to announce they are considering an action that may contradict Church teaching.
If Bonny went ahead and ordained married priests without the Vatican’s permission, he could be subject to excommunication, a formal expulsion from the Church.
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