The cardinals rejected the idea that there was a link between the sexual abuse cases and mandatory celibacy.

What's needed is mandatory celibacy for all elected officials above the level of selectman.

The issue of mandatory celibacy continues to be debated, though successive popes have declared that the discipline will not change.

Many good Catholic men who feel called to the priesthood are turned away by mandatory celibacy.

Many are sad about the scandal, he said, but also affirmed in their rejection of Catholicism's hierarchical structure and mandatory celibacy.

In the 11th century, mandatory celibacy was enforced as part of efforts to reform the medieval church.

Some also claim that mandatory priestly celibacy appeared only in the Middle Ages.

More endorse the removal of mandatory celibacy in the male priesthood.

The group also advocates ordaining women and ending mandatory celibacy for priests.

They married with the hope that doing so would help change their church's policy of mandatory celibacy for the clergy.