Australia’s Catholic priests have pushed for optional celibacy and married priests in the nation.
The National Council of Priests believe Pope Francis would approve a request from Australia’s bishops to allow priests to marry in regional areas where the lack of priests is a critical issue. This comes as a response to the child abuse royal commission.
The Council’s submission to the Australian Catholic Plenary Council in 2020 will argue priests who have left the church to marry should be able to return.