News / Religion
'Jesus didn't say that' priests shouldn't marry, urges senior Catholic cleric
22 Feb 2013 at 17:48hrs | Views
London - Britain's most senior Roman Catholic cleric says priests should be allowed to marry and have children.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who heads the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, says the requirement for priestly celibacy is "not of divine origin" and could be reconsidered.
He told BBC Scotland that "the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests should marry - Jesus didn't say that."
He said on Friday that he would be "very happy" if priests were able to consider getting married.
O'Brien will form part of the conclave of cardinals that chooses the next pontiff, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Benedict announced earlier this month that he will step down 28 February - the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.
Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who heads the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland, says the requirement for priestly celibacy is "not of divine origin" and could be reconsidered.
He told BBC Scotland that "the celibacy of the clergy, whether priests should marry - Jesus didn't say that."
O'Brien will form part of the conclave of cardinals that chooses the next pontiff, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.
Benedict announced earlier this month that he will step down 28 February - the first pope to resign in almost 600 years.
Source - Sapa
