Russell Shaw: Viri Probati "goes back at least to the time of the Second Vatican Council but only lately has come to life again"

Source: https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/column/viri-probati-3893 (24 Dec. 2019)

Excerpt:

The idea of ordaining viri probati (mature, trustworthy men) to celebrate Mass and provide other sacramental services in places where celibate priests are in short supply goes back at least to the time of the Second Vatican Council but only lately has come to life again. If the experiment in the Amazon – supposing it’s approved – succeeds in meeting the need there, it is likely to be repeated by bishops in other places with the same problem. 

Defending Celibacy Without Opposing Married Priests: Vatican Article

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/cclergy/documents/rc_con_cclergy_doc_01011993_theol_en.html

Priest's Wife Reply to Canonist Ed Peters: Continence, Really?

http://remnantofremnant.blogspot.com/2013/01/sex-married-priesthood-ceasing-marital.html?m=1 (15 Dec. 2019)

Excerpt:

"If the Church permits married men to be ordained clergy, the Church must allow marital relations between these married couples.  In my opinion, Canonist Ed Peters is disturbed with the possibility of married men being ordained. Perhaps it's the priest's wife concept that is disturbing to him. It is a very historical perspective- the decadence of the wives. His insistence on married men not acting married is part and parcel of this."

Humorous Talk of Married Priest Fr. Dwight Longenecker

https://youtu.be/7_sI5za55U0 (21 Dec. 2019)

Cardinal Tagle: "We should face squarely the issue of the shortage of priests" @ Synod of Bishops in 2005

Source: http://natcath.org/NCR_Online/archives2/2005d/101405/101405p.php (21 Dec. 2019)

Excerpt:

Cardinal Angelo Scola of Venice, Italy, the relator (meaning roughly “moderator”) for the synod, started the celibacy discussion in his 52-page Relatio ante disceptationem, a synthesis of comments from around the world sent in prior to the synod.

Without identifying which bishops supported the measure, Scola reported that some synod participants had “put forward the request to ordain married faithful of proven faith and virtue, the so-called viri probati.’ ”

Scola himself expressed reservations about a change in the celibacy requirement, but drew a quick response from Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle of Imus, Philippines. “In the absence of the priest, there is no Eucharist. We should face squarely the issue of the shortage of priests,” he said.

Sandro Magister: Allowing married priests in the Amazon would “open the door for other bishops’ conferences all over the world to allow married priests"

Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/news/world/vatican-may-allow-some-married-men-to-become-priests-1.3929497 (21 Dec. 2019)

Excerpt:

Sandro Magister, a Vatican expert at the Italian magazine L’Espresso, said that he was confident that allowing married priests in the Amazon would “open the door for other bishops’ conferences all over the world to allow married priests,” including in the heart of Europe. He said that German bishops, who have a strong liberal strain, would hold a synod on the same topic next year.–New York Times

Norms v. Dispensations for Celibacy & Married Priesthood: Editorial

While maintaining celibacy in the Latin rite as a norm, the Holy See would grant dispensations under Canon 1047.2 with petition of the local bishop (or bishops conference) to ordain some married deacons to the priesthood after a fruitful diaconate and suitable formation that is on a case-by-case basis.  Both celibacy and continence would thereby be dispensed by the Holy See for viri probati married deacons ordained to the priesthood in the Latin rite.  Celibacy would remain the norm along with these exceptions canonicially granted by the Holy See by decree:

1) Pastoral Provision

2) Ordinariate 

3) Viri Probati Dispensation: Married deacons ordained to the priesthood where the local bishop determines a need (diaconate would thus be a true stepping stone to the priesthood)

Ordaining Viri Probati married men in the diaconate to the presbyterate is the best way forward without abolishing celibacy as the general norm.

The Church taketh away, but the Church also giveth.

"If there is a [priest shortage] crisis, we are used to the crisis" (Cardinal Luis Tagle of Manila): EWTN w Raymond Arroyo

https://youtu.be/KZIbUgy2DWU (1 Dec. 2019)

Priest Shortage: England & Wales

https://youtu.be/qGlW9WuDSjk (11 Dec. 2019)

Blessed Roman Lysko, Married Priest Martyr

Source: http://stmichaelukrainian.org/2019/10/14/blessed-roman-lysko/ (3 Dec. 2019)