A leading Roman Catholic churchman in Brazil has called for

 an end to the rule of celibacy in the priesthood.

 His Cardinal Polo Everisto Anns, 

the former archbishop of Sao Paulo who told the

 Brazilian newspaper All Global it should not be obligatory 

but rather left as an option for priests. 

Cardinal Anns added that celibacy was a Roman Catholic 

law and not demanded of Jesus Christ.

 Correspondents say several leading Catholics have

 suggested enforced celibacy may be a factor in the wave

 of child sex offenses by priest coming to light

 in the United States and many other parts of the world.

 The church has paid millions of dollars in damages

 and the Pope convened a special congress of US Bishops 

last week to discuss the scandals.