Catholics rethink celibacy rule

Theologians in Europe worry about waning
By Sumi Somaskanda
The Washington Times
Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Shrinking parishes, a dwindling number of clergy and the taint from the Catholic Church‘s sex-abuse scandal are prompting calls in parts of Europe for church leaders to re-examine some of the institution’s basic policies.

More than 140 Catholic theologians from Germany, Austria and Switzerland this month published an open declaration to the church, urging officials to phase out the celibacy requirement for priests and implement other drastic reforms, such as ordaining women, allowing divorce and recognizing same-sex couples.

With more than 1 billion adherents, the Catholic Church has made significant gains in recent years in Asia, Africa and South America, but has been losing followers in the industrialized West, its longtime source of social, financial and political support. the rest