‘Rebel’ Austrian priests urge Catholic reforms

The Catholic Church in Austria said yesterday only the Vatican could change policy on issues like ordaining women, after a group of priests in the country urged a campaign of defiance against certain dogmas.

About 200 ‘rebel’ priests called for “long-needed” reforms in a manifesto published on the website pfarrer-initiative.at, lamenting the “inaction” of bishops.

Among other things they want non-ordained believers, men and women alike, to be able to give sermons and lead parishes, in a bid to address dwindling priest numbers.

The group said it will not refuse communion to divorced people, as is the practice, and campaigns for women and married people to be allowed to become priests.

“Certain changes can only come from Rome, notably regarding who can be ordained as a priest and who can receive communion,” spokesman Michael Pruller of the archdiocese in Vienna said.

Without mentioning possible sanctions against the rebels, Ms Pruller emphasised that canon law ruled all of the church, and said discussions would be held with the group.