Catholic Bishops Vote To Let Some Priests Marry, But Final Decision Up To Pope Francis
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - Catholic bishops have approved a proposal that would allow *some* married men to be ordained as priests.
The proposal, which must be approved by Pope Francis, would be a historic change to the church's centuries-old tradition of unmarried priests.
It applies only to some churches in the Amazon where there's a shortage of priests.
The proposal refers to older catholic men who are already ordained as deacons in the church.
Pope Francis is expected to make a decision by the end of the year.
Back in the Tri-State Area, the proposal is being met with mixed reactions, reports CBS2's Kiran Dhillon.
"The question the bishops have to answer is which is more important to the Catholic Church: Having the Eucharist and the sacraments in these places or having a celibate clergy?" said Father Thomas Reese, a senior analyst with Religion News Service.
A recent CBS News poll says nearly 70% of Catholic Americans say they favor letting Catholic priests marry, with 25% opposed.
The Archdiocese of New York says Catholic priests could be married up until a thousand years ago. In some Catholic branches, there are married members of the clergy.
Still, it says celibacy is key for many Catholics.
"It allows a man to fully devote himself to his calling as a priest," said Joseph Zwilling, director of communications for the Archdiocese of New York. "It allows him to give up something we see as good, having a married family to give yourself to God and church."
