VATICAN CITY
Reuters
January 13, 2020
Roman Catholic scholars rebuked the former Pope Benedict on Monday for his comments in a new book regarding the delicate matter of priestly celibacy, saying his words were helping to destabilize the reigning Pope Francis.
It is not the first time that Benedict has spoken out on Church matters despite a public vow he made in 2013, when he became the first pontiff in 700 years to resign.
The situation also underscores the polarization between conservatives and progressives in the 1.3 billion-member Church.
“One pope is complicated enough. This is a mess,” John Gehring, Catholic Program Director at Faith in Public Life, a U.S. group, said in a tweet.
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