Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, of Freiburg in Brisgau, newly elected president of the German Bishops’ Conference, spoke on priestly celibacy in the German magazine Der Spiegel of February 16-17.

He said he was against “interdictions to reflect”, and declared that the link between priesthood and celibacy was not “at all necessary from a theological viewpoint.” Celibacy, which is a “great gift”, is demanded in Latin Tradition, but in other Traditions, -- as in the Eastern rite Catholic churches -- married men are ordained. However, “this would be a revolution, which would not be followed by a portion of the Church,” he thought. And he added that this issue would fall into the competenc...

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, of Freiburg in Brisgau, newly elected president of the German Bishops’ Conference, spoke on priestly celibacy in the German magazine Der Spiegel of February 16-17.

He said he was against “interdictions to reflect”, and declared that the link between priesthood and celibacy was not “at all necessary from a theological viewpoint.” Celibacy, which is a “great gift”, is demanded in Latin Tradition, but in other Traditions, -- as in the Eastern rite Catholic churches -- married men are ordained. However, “this would be a revolution, which would not be followed by a portion of the Church,” he thought. And he added that this issue would fall into the competence of a new council and concerns the whole Catholic Church. Such a reform cannot be undertaken by a particular country. Archbishop Zollitsch recalled on this occasion that the reforms of the Second Vatican Council had not all yet been achieved.

The Archbishop also specified that access to the priesthood and the bishopric will remain reserved to men. This belongs to the mandatory structure of the Catholic Church because Jesus only called men to be his Apostles. However, women may preach in certain eucharistic celebrations, he conceded. In his eyes, women’s participation in pastoral care is a “magnificent” contribution.

These declarations started again the debate on priestly celibacy in Germany. Bishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, of Regensburg, takes a firm stand against these speculations on the Church renouncing priestly celibacy.

DICI