A Roman Catholic bishop on the Spanish island of Tenerife has ordained a man as a Catholic priest despite the fact that he is married with two children.
The 64-year-old former Anglican pastor, David Gliwitzki, was ordained in La Laguna on the Canary Island. The Bishop of Tenerife said the move was a unique exception within the Spanish Church. According to Church rules, priests are supposed to be celibate. But the ordination was approved by the Pope.
The Bishop of Tenerife says particular consideration was given to Father Gliwitzki's circumstances as an Anglican, which is a Church that permits priests to marry. The bishop says this is not a step towards the abolition of Roman Catholic celibacy. But it is a surprise - especially in Spain, where the Church is particularly conservative and very actively against any softening of existing doctrines.
The ordination of the former Anglican vicar also comes as Pope Benedict XVI calls on followers to hold fast to the core values of their faith.
BBC
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