VATICAN - Holy See Press Office statement with regard to Pope Benedict XVI's meeting with Heads of Roman Curia Offices

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The following statement was issued by the Holy See Press Office in the afternoon of Thursday 16 November: “Today 16 November in the morning, in the Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father presided one of the periodical meetings of Heads of Offices of the Roman Curia for common reflection. Accurately informed about requests for dispense from the obligation of celibacy presented in recent years and the possibility of re-admission to the exercise of the ministry for priests in the conditions foreseen by the Church, the participants reaffirmed the value of the choice of priestly celibacy in keeping with Catholic tradition and stressed the necessity of sound human and Christian formation for seminarians and priests already ordained”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 17/11/2006; Righe 9; Parole 130)