Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


    April 05, 2012

Pope Condemns European Priests Calling for Disobedience

   VOA News
   Pope Benedict XVI prays during a Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at
   the Vatican, April 5, 2012
   Photo: AP
   Pope Benedict XVI prays during a Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at
   the Vatican, April 5, 2012

   Pope Benedict has issued a rare condemnation of priests who have
   questioned church teachings on celibacy and ordaining women during a
   homily in St. Peter's Basilica on Holy Thursday, when priests recall
   the promises made when they were ordained.
   The pope said a group of priests in a European country recently
   published an appeal that gave examples of how to be disobedient.
   He said the priests called for women to be allowed to join the clergy,
   but noted that his predecessor, Pope John Paul, said the Catholic
   church has received no authority from God to ordain women.
   His comments were in response to a call to disobedience launched by a
   group of Austrian priests.
   Their appeal comes amid calls for reform in the Catholic church on
   issues including the ordination of women priests, abolishing celibacy
   for clergy, divorce and support for victims of sexual abuse by priests.

   Some information for this report was provided by AFP.

.