Priests excepted

YOUR article on former bishop Edward Daly (End celibacy rule for priests, 14 September) reflects the political nature of religion: it is claimed numbers joining the priesthood have both fallen in recent decades and that vocations have increased by 74 per cent in the past 25 years.

The apostle Paul clearly stated a bishop should be the husband of one wife and have children. His reasoning was that a man with experience of his own household is better qualified to care for the church. This is in direct contrast to the view presented by Catholic spokesmen that a celibate single priest is better placed to serve God by giving his entire life to his ministry. At the Creation, God commanded his creatures to multiply and be fruitful: I don’t know whether priests were excepted.

Robert Dow

Ormiston Road

Tranent