Madam, - The Rt Rev Malcolm McMahon, Bishop of Nottingham, believes priests should be allowed to marry. The Roman Catholic Church is entitled to propose celibacy as an option for priests, but it is not entitled to make it mandatory because celibacy is a charism which of its nature cannot be demanded or obliged. That indefensible obligation has been the cause of the downfall of many good and vulnerable priests who have been unnecessarily exposed.
Celibacy is a gift from God, which he bestows on some priests but not on all priests. From a moral law point of view, compulsory celibacy is a moral solecism. A debate on the issue should be conducted in freedom and not muzzled within the Church. Christ had no problem with married priests, since he chose St Peter, who was married. - Yours, etc,