Brazilian Priests Petition For Celibacy Change

A national group representing 18,000 Brazilian priests approved a petition asking Pope Benedict XVI to change the celibacy law. The document outlines two options for priests - a vow of celibacy, mandatory for priests who have made chastity pledges in their respective religious orders, or a married priesthood.  The petition also asks that bishops be allowed to ordain married men they consider worthy of priesthood, and to welcome back priests who left the active ministry to marry. The document was approved in February at a national meeting of priests held in the monastery of Itaici in the state of Sao Paulo. According to media reports, the petition was sent to the Vatican's Congregation for the Clergy. (www.adnkronos.com)