Pope Francis has convened a meeting of South American bishops next year focusing on the plight of the church in the Amazon.
During that synod, the question of ordaining married men of proven virtue – so-called “viri probati” – is expected to figure on the agenda.
This week, a two-hour documentary on Italian television is likely to contribute to the conversation.
The Choice: Priests And Love profiles more than a dozen men in four European countries who are either living secretly with women, have created their own unsanctioned church communities where married priests preside at Mass, or left the Catholic priesthood altogether to marry.
The documentary makes the case that many of these men would gladly return to the priesthood and offer their pastoral services.
Their plight has found a sympathetic ear in Francis, who has long expressed a willingness to consider “viri probati” to address pastoral needs in the Amazon. He has also expressed sympathy for priests who have made the anguished choice to leave.
Vocatio, an Italian association of these “married priests”, wrote to Francis earlier this month pledging their solidarity as he copes with the global fallout of the sex abuse scandal, and once again offering their services in ministry.
“We would like you to take into consideration – without prejudice or pretence – the…
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