Vatican reaffirms stance on celibacy - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina |

Vatican reaffirms stance on celibacy

(Vatican City-AP) November 16, 2006 - The Vatican says the value of celibacy for priests has been reaffirmed after a meeting between the pope and top officials.

The three-hour summit was spurred by a married African archbishop who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church for ordaining four married bishops.

The Vatican requires priests to be celibate. Some argue allowing men to marry in the priesthood would help relieve a shortage of clergy in many places around the world.

Posted 2:48pm by Bryce Mursch