An archbishop viewed as a major ally of Pope Francis has called for the end to the discipline of priestly celibacy in the Catholic Church.
Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna said the time was ripe “to discuss the issue seriously” – and to give priests the choice to marry.
“This is probably the first time I’m saying it publicly and it will sound heretical to some people,” said the Canadian-born archbishop. “Why should we lose a young man who would have made a fine priest, just because he wanted to get married? And we did lose good priests just because they chose marriage.”
