Jeff Miller always seems to more on top of Catholic news in Pittsburgh than me. :/ Anyhow, he mentions an article at KDKA about a press conference held by the Association of Pittsburgh Priests. They want Bishop Wuerl to voice their desire for optional priestly celibacy and ordination of women to next month’s Synod on the Eucharist in Rome. Jeff makes some good observations about better ways for these priests to spend their energy (If the post weren’t so short I’d quote bits of it for you folks). One question that he didn’t ask immediately sprang into my mind as I read the story.

Why in Heaven’s name hasn’t Bishop Wuerl laid the smackdown on this heterodox organization yet?!

Here’s another article.

"In response [to the priest shortage], the Pittsburgh Association of Priests — a group of priests and lay people — is proposing a controversial conversation. Bishop Donald Wuerl goes to a three-week meeting with church leaders in Rome next month."

"When he’s there, some local priests want him to discuss two very radical ideas [optional priestly celibacy and women’s ordination]."

For the record, the idea of married clergy is not radical. Priestly celibacy in the Latin Rite is a discipline, not a doctrine. The ordination of women, however, is a theological impossibility.

Yet another article.

"Along with the priests’ letter to Bishop Wuerl the group also presented him with a petition signed by more than 28,000 Catholics backing their concerns."

*sigh* 28,000 poorly catechized Catholics. Please feed Christ’s sheep, Your Excellency.

Update 10/03/05: Apparently Australia has a similar problem with heterodox priests.