celibacy an article of faith (canon 9). This was the response
of the papacy to the requests of emperor Ferdinand and of
the Catholic princes of Germany. In spite of this rebuff,
Ferdinand was not discouraged. When the council dispersed
he demanded of Rome, not the abolition of celibacy, but
an authorization for the German priests who were already
married, to keep their wives. After his death, which occurred
in the meanwhile, his son Maximilian II. renewed this demand.
It was in vain. Pius IV., without a formal refusal, let the
negotiations drag on in order to gain time. Pius V., his
successor, frankly declared ( 1566) that the legislation pro-
mulgated at Trent was forthwith obligatory. ¹

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