Sir, - I see the Bishop of Killaloe, Dr Willie Walsh, has predicted (April 5th) the Catholic Church will introduce voluntary celibacy for its priests in the next century, and he also says he finds the arguments against women priests increasingly difficult to understand.
If women priests were allowed in significant numbers (the Catholic Church already has a very small number who celebrate the Mass), I am unable to envisage how compulsory celibacy could be maintained the two questions are interlinked.
In Germany they have one of the wealthiest churches in the world, because, for all intents and purposes, it is still established, in that people make a meaningful financial contribution to the church of their choice, and may then avail of all the services which that church gives.
I estimate that "a meaningful financial contribution", if celibacy were to become optional, would be in the region of three per cent of a person's disposable income - has the Bishop of Killaloe considered the costs involved if priests were allowed marry?
Voluntary celibacy is a viable option, if the laity is prepared to foot the bill - not otherwise. - Yours, etc.,
Killiney,
Co Dublin.
