Appeals to make celibacy a choice for Catholic priests

Celibacy, described by Pope Benedict as a sign of “full devotion to the Lord”, has been dubbed by Theologian professor Tina Beattie as a slightly outdated practice.

"It's a historical tradition which goes back to the Middle Ages and had more to do with protecting church property and things of that nature than the nature of the priesthood," she said. "Why is compulsory celibacy necessary for someone with a calling to the priesthood? Let them choose.”

Father Stephen Wang would still opt for the single life, saying "Celibacy has been hugely liberating for me. Without family I can give myself fully to the church."

He advocates that the negative image of celibacy comes because people cannot think beyond the lack of sex.

An estimated 1,000 people in Britain and Ireland were fathered by the clergy, and is considered an open secret in the Catholic Community that some priests engage in relationships.

Some have linked emerging abuse scandals all over the world and a diminishing number of priests to sexual frustration.