Pope Francis Says He May Do Away With Forced Celibacy For Priests

Pope Francis, who has been systematically rescinding and contradicting longstanding Roman Catholic dogmas, has now hinted that he might do away with forced celibacy for priests.

In a lengthy interview with the Argentinian-based media outlet Infobae, Francis made it clear that celibacy for priests may be removed. Daniel Hadad for the outlet asked, “in the event that celibacy was not mandatory — not that celibacy disappears, that it was not mandatory — do you imagine that the existence of priests with the possibility of being married, as there are in other churches, could collaborate so that more people join the priesthood?”

Francis had this to say:

I don’t think so. In fact there is in the Catholic Church married priests: The entire eastern rite is married. Everything. All the oriental rite. Here in the Curia we have one — today I came across it — that his mistress, his son, has.

There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. The celibacy in the church Western is a temporary prescription: I don’t know if it is resolved one way or the other, but it is provisional in this sense; it is not eternal like priestly ordination, which is forever, whether you like it or not. Whether you leave or not is another matter, but it is forever.

Instead celibacy is a discipline.

Hadad: So it could be revised?

Francis: Yes. Yes. In fact everyone in the eastern church is married. Or those who want. There they make a choice. Before ordination the option to marry or to be celibate.

This of course not only contradicts what Roman Catholicism has enforced for centuries, but also contradicts Francis’ previous stances on celibacy.

In January of 2019 he said,

Personally, I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I would say that I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy, no.

Francis said, adding that he thought there is space to consider some exceptions for married clergy in the Latin rite “when there is a pastoral necessity” in remote locations due to lack of priests, such as in the Pacific islands, reported by the Catholic News Agency

According to the official Catholic Catechism, celibacy for a priest is considered a sacrament – something that is required for salvation in Catholicism.

[1577] “Only a baptized man validly receives sacred ordination.” The Lord Jesus chose men to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry. The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ’s return. the Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.

[1578] No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God. Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God’s call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift.

[1579] All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate “for the sake of the kingdom of heaven.” Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to “the affairs of the Lord,” they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church’s minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.

[1580] In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities. Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.

---

AUTHOR COMMENTARY

[1] Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.

1 Timothy 4:1-3

Forbidding to marry (forced celibacy) is a sin and a doctrine of a devil, and is different from abstinence and someone who chooses not to get married; such as Paul the apostle, who by permission from the Holy Spirit was allowed to say that he wishes believers did what he did, but was not a commandment. 1 Corinthians 7 gives the lowdown on marriage. God is a God of life: and if something promotes death and negatively affects life, is sin, and forced celibacy certain fits the bill; especially considering just how perverted these priests and nuns are because of it, and all the rape and pedophilia that goes at their cathedrals, convents, and universities.

[1] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. [2] Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. [3] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. [4] The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. [5] Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency. [6] But I speak this by permission, and not of commandment. [7] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. [8] I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I. [9] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. [28] But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

1 Corinthians 7:1-9, 28; Ephesians 5:33

So what Rome has taught concerning this is satanic and wrong.

But what Francis is doing is what he’s been up to since he was selected as Pope: he continues to teardown all the core foundations and beliefs of the papacy, the chagrin of the Trad Cats who believe this man to be an antichrist. The idea here is to “ignite the right:” severely enrage the true Catholics and let the hornet’s nest continually seethe in fury, and then let them loose when the time is right.

---

[7] Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? [8] Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. (1 Corinthians 9:7-10).

The WinePress needs your support! If God has laid it on your heart to want to contribute, please prayerfully consider donating to this ministry. If you cannot gift a monetary donation, then please donate your fervent prayers to keep this ministry going! Thank you and may God bless you.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE