by John L. Allen Jr.
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This afternoon, at roughly 3:30 pm Rome time, The Vatican Press Office released the following communique with regard to this morning's meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and his senior advisors in the Roman Curia to discuss questions related to priestly celibacy.
COMUNICATO
PRESS OFFICE OF THE HOLY SEE
This morning, Nov. 16, in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father presided over one of the periodic meetings of the Heads of Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, for a common reflection.
The participants in the meeting received detailed information about the requests for dispensation from the obligation of celibacy received in recent years, as well as the possibility of readmission to the exercise of ministry from priests who at present find themselves in the conditions prescribed by the Church.
The value of the choice of priestly celibacy according to Catholic tradition was reaffirmed, and the exigency of a solid human and Christian formation was underlined, both for seminarians and for priests already ordained.
