The Vatican is downplaying a defense of priestly celibacy by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI set to be issued as Pope Francis considers easing the prohibition on priests marrying.
In a book set to be released this week, titled From the Depths of Our Hearts, the former pope is listed as a co-author with Cardinal Robert Sarah and is quoted arguing in favor of the long tradition of Roman Catholic priests being celibate as well as defending the ability to “put oneself completely at the disposition of the Lord.”
“We can say: ‘Silere non possum! I cannot remain silent!'” Benedict, 92, is quoted as saying in a joint introduction with Sarah, calling celibacy “truly essential.”
“The call to follow Jesus is not possible without this sign of freedom and of renunciation of all commitments,” the introduction reads. “Celibacy must penetrate, with its requirements, all of the attitudes of existence.”
The excerpt released on Monday created controversy, as the comments were seen as a knock against Francis, but the Vatican and the ex-pontiff’s team have since distanced Benedict from the book, claiming he was erroneously credited as a co-author. The Vatican’s editorial director, Andrea Tornielli, said in an op-ed that the comments were a mere contribution written in full obedience to Francis.
Additionally, Benedict’s private secretary, Georg Gaenswein, added that while the former pope provided Sarah with passages he had written, he “hadn’t approved any plans for a double signature book nor had he seen and authorised the cover,” which also features Benedict.
“It was a misunderstanding, without questioning the good faith of Cardinal Sarah,” Gaenswein said.
Sarah, however, defended himself by saying Benedict was aware that their collaboration would be a book and that the pair had traded proofs back and forth for corrections. He later said, “It has been decided that the author of the book will be for future publications: Card Sarah, with the contribution of Benedict XVI.”
He added, “However, the complete text remains absolutely unchanged.”
The controversy over the book comes amid news that Francis, 83, is considering letting priests in remote locations, such as the Amazon, marry as the Catholic Church faces a shortage of priests in such areas. The pope has not yet approved of the proposal and is expected to be publishing his conclusions on it in the coming months.
Sarah is a Guinean prelate of the Catholic Church and has been a cardinal since 2010. In 2014, Francis appointed him prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
