<p><em>Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly translated a remark by Pope Francis. He was referring to a &#8220;temporal&#8221; tradition, not a &#8220;temporary&#8221; tradition. </em></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Pope Francis stated in a new interview that the Catholic Church in the West could theoretically consider lifting its ban on priests marrying, calling the tradition of celibacy for priests a “temporal&#8221; discipline rather than an eternal dictate.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">According to the Code of Canon Law of the Catholic Church, “Clerics are obliged to observe perfect and perpetual continence for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven, and are therefore bound to celibacy. Celibacy is a special gift of God by which sacred ministers can more easily remain close to Christ with an undivided heart, and can dedicate themselves more freely to the service of God and their neighbor.”</p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This “temporal” tradition, as the Pope called it during his extensive interview with Argentine publication Infobae, was passed down through the centuries within the Latin Rite, for all ordained clergy. In the Eastern Rites, the tradition of celibacy would develop as an option for priests, but remain </span><a href="https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/priestly-celibacy-1169"><span style="font-weight: 400;">mandatory for monks and Bishops</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">“There is no contradiction for a priest to marry,” Francis, 86, told reporters. “Celibacy in the western Church is a temporal prescription. I do not know if it is settled in one way or another, but it is temporal in this sense. &#8230; It is not eternal like priestly ordination, which is forever whether you like it or not. <span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you leave … is another matter, but (priesthood) is forever. Celibacy, on the other hand, is a discipline.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">”</span></p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">Asked if the obligation of celibacy could be revisited in the Latin Rite, Francis referenced the Eastern Church, declaring, “Yes, yes, In fact, everyone in the Eastern Church is married, or those who want to. There they make a choice. Before ordination there is the choice to marry or to be celibate,” according to a <a href="https://www.infobae.com/america/mundo/2023/03/10/el-papa-francisco-opino-sobre-nicaragua-es-como-las-dictaduras-comunistas-o-hitlerianas-grosera/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transcript</a> provided in Spanish by Infobae.</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">In 2019, Francis <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/43258/vatican-pope-francis-not-in-favor-of-optional-priestly-celibacy" target="_blank" rel="noopener">offered</a> a slightly different approach of explaining priestly celibacy, asserting, “Personally, I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I would say that I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy, no.&#8221; Although Francis said exceptions could be made for married clergy in the Latin rite &#8220;when there is a pastoral necessity&#8221; <span style="font-weight: 400;">(as in the case of the </span><a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apc_20091104_anglicanorum-coetibus.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anglican Ordinariate established by Pope Benedict XVI</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">),</span> he also quoted Pope Paul VI, saying: “I prefer to give my life before changing the law of celibacy.&#8221;</p>
<p style="font-weight: 400;">As early as 1,800 years ago, the Synod of Elvira stated, “It is decided that marriage be altogether prohibited to bishops, priests, and deacons, or to all clerics placed in the ministry, and that they keep away from their wives and not beget children; whoever does this shall be deprived of the honor of the clerical office.”</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

Pope Francis: Priestly Celibacy A ‘Temporal’ Discipline, Not An Eternal Dictate

California CEO Arrested For Smuggling U.S. Tech To Iran’s Nuclear Program

Fetterman Says There’s One Thing Trump Can’t Afford To Do On Iran

The Chilling Six Seconds Before A Great-Grandmother Was Butchered On A Train

Bernie Sanders Wants To Cripple America’s AI Advantage

Man Vs. Machine: Red State Slaps OpenAI With Monster Lawsuit

Trump Taps Familiar Name To Replace Tulsi Gabbard

News

Catholicism

Pope Francis

Priests

Religion

World

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News —

Pope Francis: Priestly Celibacy A ‘Temporal’ Discipline, Not An Eternal Dictate