Celibacy, which is required of Catholic priests, might one day be abolished, Pope Benedict XVI told Dutch bishops back in 2004.

The Dutch bishops, who met Cardinal Ratzinger, as he then was still called, shortly before his election as Pope, were astounded, former bishop of Breda Tiny Muskens told a television programme at the weekend.

When the Dutch bishops asked the cardinal, then one of the most powerful men in Vatican, about the propect of introducing marriage for priests, he answered: “I don’t see that happening in the coming ten years”, according to Bishop Muskens.

“We expected him to be against married priests on principle. This, however, meant he was open to discussing the possibility”.

Bishop Muskens is an ardent proponent of allowing priests to marry and wants the Vatican to hold a council to change its long-standing policy.

(cl/tt)

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide