The law of clerical celibacy is considered to be not a doctrine, but a discipline.
He also wrote a book attacking the doctrine of clerical celibacy.
Supporters of clerical celibacy suggest, then, that there is some other factor at work.
He was the author of two decrees concerning clerical celibacy.
But he made it clear that this signalled no major change in the rule of clerical celibacy.
The practice and ideal - as opposed to the law - on clerical celibacy surely goes back much further than the fourth century.
In the previous two centuries, attempts at enforcing clerical celibacy had been made, but with little success.
As archbishop he was a reformer, campaigning for clerical celibacy from 1074.
Will the issue of clerical celibacy arise at Dallas?
The classical example in Western religions is clerical celibacy.