priesthood

“I don’t understand women not being part of the priesthood. In the end I think the more inclusive a religion is, the stronger that religion is.”

Another priest, Father Michael Baker — one of the church’s most prolific abusers — had been accused of molesting at least 40 boys during his decades in the priesthood.

Mahony did not ask for specifics and appeared willing to let him remain in the priesthood, Baker said.

At the Italian Bishops' Conference, the pope reportedly said gay men should not be allowed to train for the priesthood, adding there was already an air of frociaggine, which translates as a highly offensive slur.

When asked at the Italian Bishops’ Conference if gay men should now be allowed to train for the priesthood as long as they remained celibate, Pope Francis said they should not.