That's one of the main reasons I think this article is more alarmist than factual. Francis knows he cannot successfully change Church doctrine in such a radical sense. To do so would undermine the teaching authority of the Church, just as you say.
GOP_Party_Animal:
“That’s one of the main reasons I think this article is more alarmist than factual. Francis knows he cannot successfully change Church doctrine in such a radical sense. To do so would undermine the teaching authority of the Church, just as you say.”
I agree with you obviously. Notice comments from moonhawk and Campion. It has been allowed for some time that ordained and married priests that come into the catholic fold from say COE can do so. And I believe a catholic that is married but then enters seminary can also do so but the official position of the church for eons has been celibacy. If it were not so then why would there be any discussion of this matter? Of course the answer is the bishops are trying to gauge public opinion on this matter. It is amazing that some will swallow the carp whole, raw and even alive without thinking through the implications.