The use of nephews , rather than direct descendants , is a product of the tradition of clerical celibacy within the Catholic Church .
Hereditary descent from uncles to nephews is also seen in the patriarchate of the Assyrian Church of the East .
The use of nephews , rather than direct descendants , is a product of the tradition of clerical celibacy within the Catholic Church , although hereditary descent from uncles to nephews is also seen in the patriarchate of the Assyrian Church of the East .