Letter: Priestly celibacy: human rights

From Fr Michael Gaine

Sir: Lest any of your readers are misled by Andrew Brown's article on clerical celibacy (Section Two; "Will you take this priest ...?", 19 September), I do not assert that obligatory priestly celibacy is an infringement of a natural human right.

I do, however, cite that as one of the theological issues which should be addressed in any serious debate on celibacy or by any commission established as a result of the recent vote by the National Conference of priests.

Yours sincerely,

Michael Gaine

Saint Mary's

Liverpool