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By JOHN L. ALLEN JR.
The Vatican has denied an Italian report that it recently convened meetings to study the situation created by priests who violate their vows of celibacy by having relationships with women and fathering children.
The Italian daily *La Stampa *reported on Sunday, August 2, that the Congregation for Clergy was considering a new set of rules for such cases, which the newspaper described as “very widespread” in developing nations as well as some European countries, “such as Austria”. (The reference to Austria likely had in mind the case of Fr. Joseph Friedl, a popular pastor who recently acknowledged living with a woman for more than 25 years.)
According to the *La Stampa *report, the rules under consideration would create a “guarantee of social rights” for the women and children involved, including the right of any offspring to be included among the priest’s legitimate heirs; would distinguish sharply between the priest’s personal property and ecclesiastical holdings, which could not be inherited; and in at least some cases, would permit the priest to continue exercising ministry.
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The Vatican has denied an Italian report that it recently convened meetings to study the situation created by priests who violate their vows of celibacy by having relationships with women and fathering children.
The Italian daily *La Stampa *reported on Sunday, August 2, that the Congregation for Clergy was considering a new set of rules for such cases, which the newspaper described as “very widespread” in developing nations as well as some European countries, “such as Austria”. (The reference to Austria likely had in mind the case of Fr. Joseph Friedl, a popular pastor who recently acknowledged living with a woman for more than 25 years.)
According to the *La Stampa *report, the rules under consideration would create a “guarantee of social rights” for the women and children involved, including the right of any offspring to be included among the priest’s legitimate heirs; would distinguish sharply between the priest’s personal property and ecclesiastical holdings, which could not be inherited; and in at least some cases, would permit the priest to continue exercising ministry.
More…