The message from the Bishop of Antwerp, Johan Bonny, published on the 18 March 2026, has re-launched the prospect of ordination of viri probati to the priesthood.

The notice was canvassed by Thomas O’Loughlin last week/recently.

Bishop Bonny’s pastoral letter leads with the bland title: “Implementation of the Synodal Process in the Diocese of Antwerp.”

O’Loughlin comments: “The down-beat title is in inverse proportion to its content: faced with ever fewer full-time celibate presbyters, he announces his intention to ordain suitable married men to the priesthood in 2028 — an ultimatum to the status quo as represented by the western Code of Canon Law and what has been a mightily defended element in the Latin church’s brand image for centuries.”

A married priesthood’s history

It is perhaps not widely recognised that in our Church, priests could be and were married for about twelve centuries until the Lateran Councils’ decisions under Pope Gregory VII.

Our first Pope, the apostle Peter, was married along with most if not all the Apostles. The Gospels explicitly mention Jesus healing Peter’s mother-in-law.

Saint Paul records that a bishop or deacon should be “the husband of but one wife” and manage his household well.

There is no mention of seven years of isolated seminary, monastery or other formation.

My story

Reluctant as I am to canvass my own connection with this topic, and leaving aside the backstory, I mention a viri probati foray of which I was the subject.

About ten years ago, following a robust discussion about what the Australian bishops could do to, at least in part, respond to the priest shortage, my then Bishop insisted he would write to Rome for approval to ordain me.

He followed the usual procedures and sought concurrence from his consulters. He then wrote to the Vatican.

Vatican response

The Reply? The proposal was a little premature.

Ten years on, we can only hope that Bishop Bonny’s announcement will be effective to permit married men to be ordained presbyters, ‘Just as the Roman Church had for twelve centuries or more.

Rather like the Eastern Orthodox Church, in communion with Rome, has always, and continues to observe, as does the Roman Church for the successful Anglican Ordinate and more generally in particular circumstances.

• Justin Stanwix is an active permanent deacon in the Diocese of Wollongong, Australia. After 40 years in commercial law practice he was ordained deacon. He has a love for liturgy and especially for its artful practise dating from Vatican II deliberations. He presents and writes on current Church topics including for some years in La Croix International. Justin has a commitment to synodal layout of church interiors and the way we assemble for Eucharist.