News Release #357

Bishop of New Ulm responds to Optional Celibacy

New Ulm , MN – On Monday, October 20, 2003 , Bishop Nienstedt of the Catholic Diocese of New Ulm received a letter from Father Kenneth Irrgang, a retired New Ulm priest now living in the Diocese of St. Cloud, indicating that, on his own initiative, he had circulated a petition among the diocesan priests in support of a married clergy. It appears that the intent of this project was to gain media attention, which it has.

Only 22% of the diocesan priests signed the petition, which means that 78% of the clergy did not. The bishop neither received the text of the petition nor the names of those who signed it.

In being asked to comment on the initiative, Bishop Nienstedt said:

“I have no doubt but that the few priests who signed this petition, whomever they are, were concerned with finding a solution to the shortage of ordained ministers that we are presently experiencing. However, I believe that their action will have just the opposite effect and end up discouraging priestly vocations. From the moment I stepped foot in this Diocese, my number one

priority has been to foster a lively context of a truly Catholic faith that will encourage young men and women to hear God’s call to priestly and religious service in the Church. As Bishop Gregory, president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop Dolan of Milwaukee said so eloquently last August, the call to celibacy for the priest is a sign of his consecration to Jesus Christ in a unique and excellent way. It is also a fruitful source of self-giving love open to all with whom and for whom he ministers. In this historical moment, the gift of celibacy and its witness is needed now more than ever before.”