The decision could have been revolutionary and historic for the Catholic Church, but Francis did not yield. In a message addressed to “dear Amazonia” and indigenous peoples, Pope Francis makes no mention of the proposal of the bishops of that region that would put an end to celibacy. From the outside there is also the possibility of making women deacons.-
In the document, Francis urges the bishops, “especially those from Latin America”, to send more missionaries to carry out their work in the Amazon, demanding that priests be trained to dialogue with that region and its cultures.
The papal text is also seen as a reconciliation between conservatives and progressives, after the controversy that involved the idea of ordaining married priests.
In October, at the Amazon Synod, an assembly of bishops from the various countries in the region asked Francis to consider opening the priesthood to married men. This is because the Catholic Church is faced, in that territory, with a growing problem of lack of priests.
In the Amazon, the scarcity of priests means that the faithful of the most remote communities can go months and even years without being able to participate in masses.
Cardinal Michael Czerny, spokesman for the Synod, said on Wednesday that the document signed by Francis is a “reconciliation” document.
