Pope Francis Suggests Older Married Men Could Be Priests

Pope Francis is considering allowing older married men to become priests, despite Catholic laws going back nearly 1,000 years requiring those who are ordained to be single and celibate, according to an interview published in the German newspaper Die Zeit.

Referring to the recent shortage of Roman Catholic priests, the pope suggested that in certain areas it may be necessary to ease the rules on who may be ordained. However, he still insisted that these men would have to be celibate.

"We have to give a thought to whether viri probati are a possibility," the pope said in the interview published Thursday, according to Reuters. "We then also need to determine which tasks they could take on, such as in isolated areas, for example."

"Viri probati" means "men of proven quality," and usually refers to older married men with grown families.

He continued: "Voluntary celibacy is often discussed in this context, especially in places where there are shortages of clerics. But voluntary celibacy is not a solution."

Many have suggested that the Roman Catholic Church consider allowing non-celibate priests in response to changing times and the shortage of candidates. However, the weight of Church opinion has consistently opposed such a move.

The current pope has shown some flexibility in the past on some matters of doctrine when circumstances call for it. Early last year, he indicated that birth control may be permissible in certain instances as a response to the Zika virus crisis.

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