The Rev . I am a Christian and have been for many years. Many popes were married in the first millennium of the church , Cozzens says . Cozzens says church views marriage as sacred ; why should priests be denied it ? Surely he knows that in many parts of the Catholic world , clerical celibacy is openly flouted , and church authorities choose not to notice . Cozzens : Celibacy is a gift that should be optional , not mandated by the church .
The Rev . I am a Christian and have been for many years. Many popes were married in the first millennium of the church , Cozzens says . Cozzens says church views marriage as sacred ; why should priests be denied it ? Cozzens : Celibacy is a gift that should be optional , not mandated by the church .