Edward Daly (bishop) - 2011 Celibacy Controversy

2011 Celibacy Controversy

In September 2011 Catholic News Service published an article in which it stated that Bishop Daly had addressed the issue of celibacy in his new book, A Troubled See, and that Bishop Daly had called for an end to compulsory celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. Bishop Daly said that "there is certainly an important and enduring place for celibate priesthood. But I believe that there should also be a place in the modern Catholic Church for married priesthood and for men who do not wish to commit themselves to celibacy." He was criticised afterwards for waiting until he had been retired for 18 years to make his statements: one former seminarian said, "I would far rather he did it when he was still in ministry and was in a position where he would have to be listened to." Bishop Daly has also been criticised for publicly putting himself at odds with Pope Benedict's own statements on the issue.