Volume 25, Number 2    September 2003

 

Milwaukee priests urge optional celibacy

An Aug. 19 letter to the president of the U.S. bishops signed by 163 priests in the Milwaukee archdiocese urges that the priesthood be opened to married men, because the priest shortage is jeopardizing the sacramental life of Catholics, and because marriage is now seen to be compatible with, and even an enhancement for, the priesthood.

If USCCB President Wilton Gregory decides the conference will deal with the letter, it would go to the Priestly Life and Ministry Committee, soon to be chaired by Milwaukee's own archbishop, Timothy Dolan. The letter first came up at Dolan's Council of Priests, which opted not to sponsor the letter but agreed its three priest-authors should circulate it themselves.

Fr. Robert Silva, president of the National Federation of Priests' Councils, called the letter "courageous" and said he would request that it be discussed by the Dolan committee, to which he is a consultant.

CTA and FutureChurch issued a joint endorsement of the letter, quoting a similar resolution for optional celibacy by the delegates at the U.S. bishops' original Call To Action in 1976.

Priests get organized
In a separate development, 14 Milwaukee priests have called an independent meeting of priests Sept. 18 to air common concerns. They have consulted with Fr. Pat O'Malley of Chicago, one of the founders of the Association of Chicago Priests 35 years ago, fueling speculation that an independent association of Milwaukee priests might be in the offing.

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Take action for optional celibacy
The letter from the 163 Milwaukee priests has set off a chain reaction. Priests are meeting in many dioceses. Reform groups are passing petitions and gathering letters.

What can we do?
For action opportunities, check the FutureChurch and CTA websites.