BRUSSELS/VATICAN CITY, March 20 (Reuters) - A Catholic bishop said he would push the Vatican for permission to ordain married men as priests by 2028, in an unusual statement that may test Pope Leo's willingness to change Church teaching to address the issue of dwindling clergy numbers.
The Catholic Church has largely maintained a celibate priesthood for centuries. Although the practice could be changed by a pope, it would be a major shift in doctrine that pontiffs have resisted for decades.
