<P> Richard McBrien says that the existence of these exceptions, along with the declining number of priests in active ministry (in McBrien's North America and in Europe, although on a worldwide scale the number has since 2000 been increasing steadily, reversing the downward tendency of the 1970s and 1980s) and the reported cases of non-observance of the norm (a phenomenon with a history of many centuries) will keep discussion on the subject going, and that questions are asked with regard to the impact of celibacy on the human development of the clergy and with regard to the maintenance of the obligation in countries where celibacy is viewed negatively . </P> <P> In general, the Eastern Catholic Churches allow ordination of married men as priests . Within the lands of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the largest Eastern Rite Catholic Church, priests' children often became priests and married within their social group, establishing a tightly - knit hereditary caste . In North America, by the provisions of the decree Cum data fuerit, and for fear that married priests would create scandal among Latin Church Catholics, Eastern Catholic bishops were directed to ordain only unmarried men . This ban, which some bishops determined to be null in various circumstances or at times or simply decided not to enforce, was finally rescinded by a decree of June 2014 . </P> <P> A condition for becoming an Eastern Catholic bishop is to be unmarried or a widower . </P> <P> The mainly Lebanese Maronite Church doesn't demand celibacy vows from its deacons or parish priests; their monks, however, are celibate, as well as their bishops who are normally selected from the monasteries . </P>

When did priests stop being able to marry