Commentary: Pope Francis punts on married priests

It was disappointing but not surprising that Pope Francis decided not to respond to the Amazon synod’s recommendation that the Catholic Church ordain mature, married men to make up for the huge shortage of priests in the Amazon region. Francis did not say yes to married priests, but neither did he really say no. Discussion of the matter will continue, whereas previous papacies said no to even discussing the topic. Priests are in such short supply in Amazonia that the Eucharist and other sa