November 06, 2017

Kurt Martens, professor, canon law, was quoted in a Catholic News Agency story on reports that the pope would consider allowing married men to become priests in the Amazon basin.

... Dr. Kurt Martens, a canon lawyer and professor at The Catholic University of America, said there is no reason to think that the Pope’s comments mean he is open the door to the married priesthood throughout the Church. “Even if the synod would recommend or ask for the ordination of viri probati in the Pan-Amazon area, it is important to note that the Pope still would have to accept the request and make it into law, and it would most likely be limited to that area,” Martens told CNA in e-mail comments. “So we are not talking about changing the law on celibacy for the whole Church: it would be the ordination of viri probati for only that region,” he added. ...

Continue reading in the Catholic News Agency.