[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Pope Francis has decided to maintain the 'celibacy of priests' for the time being. Although a plan to ordain married men as priests for missionary work in the Brazilian Amazon region was considered, it appears to have been set aside due to opposition from conservative Catholic groups and others.
On the 12th (local time), Pope Francis announced a letter in the form of a 'Papal exhortation' on Amazon issues at the Synod of Bishops. The letter included topics such as social justice, environmental protection, and indigenous human rights in the Western Amazon region, but there was no recommendation to ordain married men as priests.
In Catholicism, there had been discussions about ordaining married men as priests to secure missionaries for remote areas like the Brazilian Amazon. The Pope had previously expressed a stance that the rule of priestly celibacy could be modified depending on circumstances.
Former Pope Benedict XVI was even listed as a co-author of a book advocating the maintenance of priestly celibacy, leading to criticisms that there was a clash of opinions between the former and current Popes.
Until now, Catholics had focused on the possibility of new changes as the Pope addressed issues that had been taboo. However, conservative Catholic groups opposed the Pope's reform efforts. In particular, there were concerns that changing the celibacy rule could undermine the long-standing tradition of Catholicism.
The New York Times (NYT) reported that conservative Catholic groups welcomed this decision, but those who had hoped Pope Francis would bring change to Catholicism were shocked.
However, some point out that it is premature to conclude that the Pope has abandoned the exceptional application of priestly celibacy just because the recommendation was omitted this time. There is analysis suggesting that the Pope may have postponed the decision to hear more diverse voices on this issue. Additionally, there was no mention of appointing female deacons. Considering that the Catholic community among Amazon indigenous people without priests is led by women, there was a position to allow at least minimal female deacons. However, conservative Catholic groups opposed this, fearing it could lead to the ordination of women as priests.
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