A German report in 2018 recommended three big changes: less clerical power, no more celibacy, changing attitudes towards gay people
Save time by listening to our audio articles as you multitaskMr Cuatrecasas went first to the school, not the police. The priest claimed he had made the boy undress because it was hot and showed him pictures to explain women’s sexual development. The school denied the worst. The boy was interrogated and his account made to look fabricated. A Spanish court eventually convicted the teacher, sentencing him to 11 years in prison, though that was reduced on appeal.
The dismal litany has fuelled calls for change. In 2019 the church’s German branch set up a “Synodal Path”, a citizens’ assembly of clergy and lay people, to discuss the scandal. When it concludes next year, it is likely to make some radical recommendations. Members want an end to mandatory celibacy in the priesthood; ordination for women; blessings for gay marriages and more power for lay people.
Germany’s report in 2018 made many recommendations. Three big changes—reducing the power of clerics, abolishing the requirement for celibacy and changing the church’s attitude towards gay people—became the pillars of Germany’s synodal path, with the role of women in the church later added as a fourth.
Some, says Mr Cahill, join the priesthood hoping that a spiritual life might cure them of unwanted urges. And the difficulties of denying the basic human urge for sex can end up warping those who had no intention of abusing children when they took up office, he says.
But there are exceptions to the rules. Since the 1980s married Protestant clergy who convert to Catholicism have been allowed to become priests. Most Eastern Churches, which have different rites and canon law from Latin Catholicism, but which recognise the authority of the pope, allow already-married men to become priests too. Blind eyes are often turned.
There is little evidence that women have ever been Catholic priests. Deaconesses are mentioned in the New Testament, though conservatives argue that they were probably not ordained. Once again, practice sometimes runs ahead of theory. In March the diocese of Essen, in Germany, said it would let women perform baptisms because of a shortage of priests. The Amazonian bishops also asked the Pope to re-open a Vatican commission on women deacons.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Developer turns 'future of gaming' talk into a surprise attack on convention's NFT and blockchain sponsors'I've heard that the sponsors got really mad,' Venturelli says. 'They tried to break into the talk while I was talking, but the organization would not let them.'
Read more »
Farhad Moshiri insists Everton 'not for sale' despite takeover talk with focus on two areas - Football365Football365 - A consortium led by former Man Utd and Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was in negotiations to purchase the Toffees.
Read more »
Since the pandemic more people coming forward to talk about their mental health issuesIN THE United Kingdom it is widely reported that black men suffer from a disproportionately...
Read more »
How has E L James' Fifty Shades changed sex on the big screen?Let’s have a quick flick through what, er, came first (and after).
Read more »
Changing Rooms returning with new series hostChanging Rooms returning for new series with one big change
Read more »
MacBook Air M2 vs MacBook Air M1 in pictures: all the key design changesChanges big and small
Read more »