Herald Sun
February 7, 2011
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/world/pope-wanted-priests-to-have-sex/story-e6frf7lf-1226001194733
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| When he was younger, Pope Benedict believed that relaxing celibacy rules would attract more men to the priesthood |
DOCUMENTS reveal that as a young priest, the Pope signed a memorandum suggesting celibacy rules be relaxed to attract priests.
Father Brian Lucas, general secretary of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, said there was a range of opinions on the matter, AdelaideNow reports.
He said the present mind of the Vatican was to keep the current practice, despite a perceived shortage of priests.
"Shortage is a relative term," Father Lucas said.
"The discipline and practice of celibacy would be an obstacle for some. Others see it as important," he said.
Father Dean Marin, director of vocations for the Adelaide Archdiocese, said the priesthood was a way of life.
Father Marin said priests were a living sign of the presence of God and of God's kingdom: "By remaining celibate, the priest witnesses to the possibility of living totally for God," he said.
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