Vatican City
Pope Francis has convened a meeting of South American bishops next year focusing on the plight of the church in the Amazon, a vast territory served by far too few priests. During that synod, the question of ordaining married men of proven virtue — so-called “viri probati” — is expected to figure on the agenda.
This week, a two-hour documentary on Italian television is likely to contribute to the conversation. The Choice: Priests and Love profiles more than a dozen men in four European countries who are either living clandestinely with women, have created their own unsanctioned church communities where married priests preside at Mass, or left the Catholic priesthood altogether to marry.
The documentary, to be aired today on Discovery Italia and previewed to The Associated Press, makes the case that many of these men gladly would return to the priesthood and offer their pastoral services.
Their plight has found a sympathetic ear in Francis, who has long expressed a willingness to consider “viri probati” to address needs in the Amazon. He also has expressed sympathy for priests who have made the anguished choice to leave.
Vocatio, an Italian association of these “married priests,” wrote Francis earlier this month pledging their solidarity as he copes with the global fallout of the sex abuse scandal, and once again offering their services in ministry.
“We would like you to take into consideration — without prejudice or pretense — the opportunity of allowing us an active presence in diocesan activity, given our experience and competence in the sacraments we have lived: ministry and matrimony,” the group wrote.