Bookmakers Paddy Power Sports are betting on the possibility that the Catholic Church might consider dropping the vow of celibacy after losing another priest to true love.
Father Sean McKenna’s decision to walk away from the priesthood has sparked yet another debate amongst the Irish public as to whether or not the age old ban on clerical marriage should be scrapped.
At 12/1, the odds are against Pope Benedict XVI reforming the Church and dropping the vow of celibacy in the next 14 months while it’s a far more likely 5/4 that it could be another decade before any consideration is given to a change in canon law.
Father Sean McKenna is the second Irish cleric to turn his back on the priesthood in favour of love. Father Noel O’Brien from Templeudigan Church in Wexford shocked parishioners when he announced in April he was leaving to get married.
Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power Sports said:
The number of men joining the priesthood has been falling steadily for years and it’s clear after opening the betting this morning that our punters think it’s high time the Catholic Church reviewed the situation and made some changes.
When will the Catholic Church abandon celibacy?
12/1 2009/2010
6/1 2011/2012
5/1 2013/2014
9/2 2015/2016
4/1 2017/2018
5/4 2019 or later
