Margie Patton

Staff Writer

@MargiePatton

The modern Catholic Church is starting to become just as well known for its sexual scandals as it is for matters of faith.

The latest controversy surrounding the church’s clergy comes in the form of a petition signed by twenty-six women who claim to currently be in secret romantic relationships with Catholic priests.

The joint letter was sent to Pope Francis in an attempt to convince the Pontiff to change the Church’s rules requiring celibacy for its priests.

The women do not reveal their identities in the letter, only giving their initials and their hometown, most in Italy. They claim to only be a “small sample” of women in love with priests who would like to have the Church’s approval for their relationships.

Married clergy in other Christian denominations is widespread and common, but the celibacy rule for Catholic priests is a long-standing and tightly held tradition in the Faith.