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.
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