Catholic scholar: 'Absolutely no chance' of celibacy law change overnight

A call by a Scottish cardinal for the Catholic Church to end its celibacy rule for the priesthood will “raise some eyebrows” in the Vatican in the run-up to the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, historians have said.

Catholic scholar Michael Walsh said there was “absolutely no chance” of the celibacy rule being changed overnight in the Church following remarks by Cardinal Keith O’Brien, who said many priests struggle to cope with celibacy and should be able to marry and have a family.