The Washington herald., 1907-05-21
PRIESTS WOULD We'd
Gil Bias Urges AbrOgatiOn
of Obligatory Celibacy.
APPEAL IS MADE TO THE POPE
Writer Declares That 5000 French
Priests Have Sent Petition 10 Rome
Declaring That Present System Is
Detrimental 10 ReIigion-Layme
said TO Favor the Measure.

Paris. May 2n-The Gil Bias in three
column article headed Holy Father.
Marry Your Priests comes out to-day
with an almost sensational appeal for the
abrogation Of the rule Of obligatory cell
bacy for priests Of the Roman Catholic
Church
If the Gil Bias is 10 be believed. this
appeal is strictly and absolutely a Roman
Catholic view Of prime Importance 20 the
church Of France, and, consequently. to
the whole church, Of which France IS
merely the elder daughter, for the writer
says that not only are the bishops Of the
entire world at the present moment So
Hcited upon this subject but that he is
able to publish the text Of petition
which the Pope himself has received from
5000 French priests and curates on the
abolition of clerical CelibaCy.
The writer adds that it is believed that
other and similar petitions have been re-
ceived at Rome. He declares that the
s.gners are known, and that they are all
priests past the marriage age, who speak
nowise in youthful warmth, but solely out
Of the fulness Of experience. weighed with
the responsibilities confession has thrust
upon them
Extracts Are Published
The paper sent to Rome is entitled, "A
Petition Of Three Thousand French
Priests and Curates TO the Pope, Cardi-
mails, Archbishops and Bishops" In ex-
tracts from the text published by the Gil
Bias it is stated that among all the
problems now confronting the prelates
of France none is more important than
the question Of clerical celibacy.
THE solution Of this question should
be forthcoming with brief delay. and this
solution We do not hesitate 70 predict
should, by human nature, by right, and
by the instruction Of the evangel. be a
decree abolishing ecclesiastical celibacy.
thus rendering marriage optional to the
clergy.
I'VE write these lines coldly and advis-
edy. with conviction and with no other
concern than the desire TO tell the truth
and nothing but the truth We say aloud
what others think or whisper. guided
solely by care for the health Of souls and
the future of the Catholic religion in
France"
Call Lives Abnormal.
Some portions of the petition are
phrased too directly for publication in
American journals. The petitioners de-
clare that the abnormal lives led by the
priests hinder their power for good. They
declare that they speak out of more than
twenty years incessant observation and
from their recollection as doctors Of souls.
THE abolition of celibacy," they said,
Ought to be decreed in accordance with
the desire Of nineteen-twentieths of the
clergy and ninety-nine hundredths Of
French laymen. after which would arise a
great shout OF alienation among the
priests and the faithful.
I'VE should see n renewal Of Catholic
life. and Immediately the face of things
would change Christian families would
be founded. children would arise pro-
fOUndly pOuS and devoted 20 the church.
and the cause OF religion would take an
immense step in France.
IF, in place of abolishng celibacy, the
Pope maintains the status quo, we will
simply witness the ruin of religion and Of
the church in France"
The Gil Bias says that if 5000 priests
dared address this petition to their mas
ter, whose absolute power they recognize.
one may affirm that 6e000 will follow its
issue.