Call for Catholic Church to dump celibacy

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BERLIN: More than 140 German university theologians have called on the Catholic Church to abandon the vow of celibacy for priests.

The 143 theologians said the church must implement bold reforms because of "a crisis without precedent" after the discovery of widespread sexual and physical abuses by clergymen.

The appeal also called on the church's leadership to welcome gay couples, "married priests and women holding positions in the clergy".