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Cardinal Reinhard Marx (archive photo): Catholic sexual morality creates inhibitions
Photo: Thomas Lohnes / Getty Images
Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx has spoken out in favor of abolishing compulsory celibacy.
"It would be better for everyone to create the opportunity for celibate and married priests," Marx told the Süddeutsche Zeitung.
“Some priests would be better off if they were married.
Not just for sexual reasons, but because it would be better for their lives and they wouldn't be lonely.
We have to have these discussions.«
Marx described the celibate way of life as “precarious”.
When asked whether he saw a connection between celibacy and child sexual abuse, Marx replied that one could not say in general.
»But this way of life and this male bond also attracts people who are not suitable, who are sexually immature.
And sexuality is just part of being human, it never goes away either.« Catholic sexual morality »created a lot of inhibitions«.
The »SZ« also asked Marx whether he was in favor of women as priests.
But he did not give a clear answer.
“I can't answer that yet.
It wouldn't be helpful to answer it now either, because it's part of staying in touch.
Not only am I someone who has an opinion, I also have to keep the place together.«
Marx hopes for an explanation from Benedict XVI.
Marx said to the emeritus Pope Benedict XVI, formerly Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who was asked to apologize by the chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Georg Bätzing: »I do not want to make a demand through the media, but express a hope.
That he expresses himself comprehensively, as announced.
And that the declaration also contains a good word of sympathy with those affected.«
Experts from the Westpfahl Spilker Wastl law firm had accused Ratzinger of misconduct in dealing with abusers during his time as Archbishop of Munich from 1977 to 1982.
Benedict XVI rejected this and justified himself in a long letter of defence.
However, he later had to concede a false statement on one essential point.
He has announced that he intends to comment in more detail on the report in the near future.
ptz/dpa