Pope rules against ordaining married men in Amazon
Pope Francis has ruled against ordaining married men within the Amazon region as a way of addressing the shortage of Catholic priests.
Bishops backed the measure last year, but the choice needed the Pope's approval to be implemented.
Catholic priests are required to abide by the rule of celibacy upon ordination except in cases where married Anglican ministers have converted.
Celibacy is seen because the devotion of one's life to God.
The conservative wing of the Catholic Church - particularly in Europe and North America - has spoken out against the thought of married priests, arguing that this might cause the worldwide abolition of celibacy.
A statement from the Vatican said: "The Amazon challenges us, the Pope writes, to beat limited perspectives and to not content ourselves with solutions that address only a part of things ."
The Pope said there was a requirement for ministers who can understand Amazonian sensibilities and cultures from within. He urged bishops to "promote prayer for priestly vocations" and to encourage those that want to become missionaries to "opt for the Amazon region".
In October last year, a synod of 184 bishops met at the Vatican to debate the longer term of the Church within the Amazon. it had been argued that older, married men should be allowed to become priests.
However, they might got to be men who are particularly well-respected and would preferably come from the indigenous communities where they shall work.
It is estimated that a minimum of 85% of villages within the Amazon are unable to celebrate Mass hebdomadally as a results of a shortage of priests. Some are said to only see a priest once a year.
Bishop Robert Flock of San Ignacio, a foreign diocese within the Bolivian Amazon, told the BBC's Newshour: "The Pope simply kicked the can down the road. He doesn't even mention the advice of the likelihood of married deacons being ordained as priests which was what the synod conclusions had suggested.
"The Catholic Church moves slowly in certain areas and this is often one among people who could have caused terrible divisions within the church," he added.
Pope Francis had previously said he would consider the likelihood of viri probati (men of proven faith) completing some duties.
"We need to provides a thought as to if viri probati are an opportunity ," he told German newspaper Der Zeit.
Also on Wednesday, the Pope announced he had decided to not allow women to function deacons, a inferiority than priest.
Separately he involved the environment within the Amazon to be defended thanks to its vital role in mitigating heating .
"We demand an end to the mistreatment and destruction of mother Earth," the Pope said.
