Priestly celibacy

SIR – Pope Francis was right to say that priestly celibacy is a precious gift to the Catholic Church (report, March 13).

We have the examples of Jesus himself and St Paul, but both teach explicitly that celibacy is for those who can “receive it”. There is also the long history in the Church of ascetics, hermits, monks and nuns who are an abiding inspiration for us.

At the same time, we know that other Apostles, even St Peter himself, seem to have been happily married, and that bishops, priests and deacons in the early Church were often married, though some practised continence within marriage. Even bishops were married, such as Julian of Eclanum’s father, with whom St Augustine was friendly, or Synesius of Egypt.

Pope Francis has allowed Eastern bishops to ordain married men for ministry in the West, and Pope Benedict XVI, in the ordinariates established for Anglicans entering full communion with the Catholic Church, allowed the ordination of married men on a case-by-case basis.

There is a calamitous decline in vocations in the West and elsewhere. Those called to the religious life will continue to take vows of celibacy, as will many diocesan clergy. Their example and sacrifice will enrich the Church, but so can fidelity in the married state, which, as St John Paul II taught, also confirms people to Christ. Msgr Dr Michael Nazir-ali

London SW1