Portrait of Pope Francis
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Pope Francis on Priestly Celibacy

Mixed View on Celibacy (moderate)

Pope Francis views priestly celibacy in the Western Church primarily as a discipline, not an eternal doctrine, meaning it is something that can be revised or changed.

He has stated there is "no contradiction for a priest to marry," pointing to the Eastern Catholic Churches where married priests are common and noting that celibacy is a temporary prescription in the Latin rite, unlike the permanent nature of priestly ordination itself.

Despite this openness to discussion and review, Pope Francis also affirms that celibacy is a gift to the Church, stating he personally is not in favor of allowing optional celibacy across the board and doubts that removing the requirement would significantly increase the number of priestly vocations.

Context

The rule of clerical celibacy in the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church is an ecclesiastical law, not a matter of immutable doctrine, meaning it is within the Pope's authority to change it in principle.

Historically, the requirement was imposed starting around the 11th century, partly to ensure that a priest's assets would pass to the Church rather than to heirs, and proponents view it as a gift allowing for undivided devotion to God.

Timeline

  1. As Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, he acknowledged that celibacy "is a matter of discipline, not of faith. It can change" but added he was in favor of maintaining it at the time.
  2. Pope Francis rejected the idea of optional celibacy but mentioned room to consider exceptions for married clergy (viri probati) in remote locations due to pastoral necessity.
  3. He issued Querida Amazonia, an Apostolic Exhortation, which notably did not include a call to allow married men to be ordained, seemingly disappointing reformers.
  4. Pope Francis significantly softened his public stance, calling celibacy a temporary prescription and reiterating that there is "no contradiction" for a priest to marry.

Key Quotes

There is no contradiction for a priest to marry. Celibacy in the Western Church is a temporary prescription: I do not know if it is settled in one way or another, but it is temporary in this sense. It is not eternal like priestly ordination, which is forever, whether you like it or not. On the other hand, celibacy is a discipline.

Interview with Infobae March 10, 2023 — Stating his view on the changeable nature of celibacy.

Personally, I think that celibacy is a gift to the Church. I would say that I do not agree with allowing optional celibacy, no.

Statement to reporters January 1, 2019 — Expressing his personal view on optional celibacy prior to 2023.

We have to study whether 'viri probati' are a possibility. We then also need to determine which tasks they could take on, such as in remote communities, for example.

Interview with Die Zeit January 1, 2018 — Discussing potential study for ordaining married men of proven virtue.

Related Positions

  • ordination-of-women Francis has firmly stated the Church's restriction on female priests will likely remain in place indefinitely, indicating a distinction between disciplinary/pastoral changes and changes to sacramental orders.
  • amazon-pastoral-needs The shortage of priests in areas like the Amazon has been a key practical driver for discussions surrounding exceptions to the celibacy rule.

Comparison

The position of Pope Francis on priestly celibacy contrasts with his immediate predecessor in some respects, though he follows a consistent line regarding discipline:

  • Pope Benedict XVI also stated celibacy was not dogma but strongly implied that a change in the foreseeable future was unlikely, echoing a firm defense of the tradition.
  • Francis appears more willing to discuss the revision of the discipline and the possibility of exceptions for viri probati than his predecessors, who favored upholding the tradition more strongly against calls for change.
Sources6

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.