Letter: Marrying sort

The case of Father Piotr Koczorowski (your report, 31 March) is just another wake-up call to the Catholic Church to undertake a serious rethink of its stance on married clergy.

The "tradition" really originates from around the 11th century as a way of protecting church property from claims by wives and children, but surely the law of contract has advanced to the point where this is no longer an issue.

Of course, traditionalists will not see it this way, so let me suggest another solution - a two-tier junior clergy (ie at the level of curates and parish priests). This more junior role could be open to married men or men who plan to marry, but it would not permit advancement beyond the entry level grade - the economics of this might then require working wives or part-time clergy, and the job would, I think, also appeal to retired married men.

The junior grade would also be limited to certain duties; I would suggest not hearing confessions - who would want to confess to a man with a curious wife, for one thing? - but saying Mass, burying the dead and officiating at baptisms all seem within the purview of this grade.

A good management consultant and an employment lawyer could surely come up with the job descriptions and contracts to make this work and also protect church property. It's now time to use the skills available to solve the shortage of priests rather than seeing an increasingly aged clergy spread over larger territories, which is bound to fail.

John Stephens

Lundin Road

Crossford, Dunfermline