Celibacy, ie abstaining from sex, is a central pillar of the Catholic Church. At least for those who work for them. That is exactly what Pope Francis (85) emphasized again in the Vatican during a meeting with future priests. This includes watching pornography on the internet.
One of the men had asked the Pope how best to use digital and social media. He took the question as an opportunity to warn about the dangers of pornography. It is “a vice that so many people have, even priests and nuns.” For Pope Francis it is clear: “The devil comes from there”.
The pure heart, the one who receives Jesus every day, should not be exposed to this pornographic information. That is why Francis advised future priests to “remove such content from your phone so that you are not tempted”.
Little expectation for upcoming reforms
In general, clergymen should not waste too much time on the internet, especially on social media. Pope Francis, who raised hopes for change at the beginning of his term with a liberal stance, for example towards homosexuals, is now considered conservative. In May, German Bishop Georg Bätzing (61) declared that the Pope “wasn’t the one who could turn the church upside down, that’s what we want”.
He does not expect fundamental reforms, such as equal rights for women in ordained offices or the abolition of celibacy, within the next five years. (jmh/AFP)