PHOENIX - The shortage of priests in the Roman Catholic Church prompted Pope Francis to tell a German newspaper that he is open to the idea of allowing married men to fill some positions.
"We need to think about whether 'viri probati' could be a possibility," he told the German weekly Die Zeit. "If so, we would need to determine what duties they could undertake, for example, in remote communities."
The term "viri probati" is key in his Holiness' response, according to Father Fernando Camou of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Avondale.
"'Viri Probati', which is a Latin term used by Pope Clement of Rome," Father Camou said. "That whole proposition was in the context of older men, who in cases of extreme necessity, could after a time of probation, that's what 'probati' means, could become priests for a specific duty."
Pope Francis also stated single men who are currently priests would not be allowed to marry.
The Catholic Church already allows certain married men to become ordained priests.
"The diocese of Phoenix -- we have a couple married priests who have families," Father Camou said.
The church believes priests should not marry because they must act in the person of Christ and should be celibate.