by Joe Fitzpatrick

I enjoyed Willie Slavin’s review of Michael Winter’s book ‘Is Catholicism Reformable?’ in the February/March edition of Open House. It is a timely work as we embark on our journey towards the synod to be held in Rome in 2023. It covers a broad range of issues that will be central to the synod’s discussions. I would like to focus on one issue which Michael Winter explores at some length: should celibacy be a requirement for Catholic priests in the West? Need it be compulsory or might the Church be better served if it was voluntary, and priesthood was open to married men of good character (viri probati)?

Joe Fitzpatrick is a writer and member of the Movement for a Married Clergy.