by Bishop Raymond A. Lucker
Diocese of New Ulm

Last month I wrote a pastoral letter on the ordination of married men. At the present time celibacy of the clergy is a law of the church in the western world. I said that I was in favor of changing the law and having the option of a married clergy. I believe also that we should openly, freely, honestly, and prayerfully discuss the issue for the love of the church and because the Eucharist is so central to who we are.

I am not surprised at the reaction I have received. But, I am astonished at the extent of the response. I have a three inch file of letters and cards from people in the diocese, the state, across the country, and even from England and Ireland. Our Communications Office has responded to forty press calls and I was interviewed by seven television stations, several radio stations, and numerous newspapers.

I did not take the initiative with the press. I sent a copy of the pastoral letter to the priests and pastoral administrators of the diocese before it appeared in our diocesan newspaper, the Prairie Catholic. By the next afternoon there were calls from three different press outlets. Radio and television stations got in touch with us soon thereafter. A religion writer of the St. Paul daily paper wrote an article which was circulated by the Associated Press and to news outlets throughout the country. The St. Paul Pioneer Press reported that the Vatican issued a pronouncement two years ago banning any discussion of priestly celibacy. Apparently the writer confused that with the question of the ordination of women. That report, distributed by the Associated Press, was subsequently corrected to say that Pope John Paul II has said that priestly celibacy was Jesus’ ideal and in keeping with priests’ duties.

My letter stated support for celibacy as a gift of God and my belief that a celibate clergy has served the church well. I called for an open discussion of the possibility of an option for priests to marry.

I received about a dozen responses from people who didn’t agree with me. Almost all of them were respectful and spoke out of faith and conviction. The most often repeated objection was that I am going against the Pope in calling for this discussion. This response, I believe, may have been due to the mistaken report by the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

People who disagreed with me urged me to pray more and pointed to one or another of a few dioceses in this country where there is no priest shortage.

There were only a couple of people whose letters were mean spirited and one or two anonymous ones.

Here are some of the responses of those who disagreed with me:

"Your recent statement advocating married priests has caused confusion and given false hopes to many." (Edina)

"I don’t think much of your suggestion to allow married priests. You are not very helpful to the Holy Father. It would cause more problems than it would solve." (Dayton, MN)

"I was embarrassed by your open defiance to the Pope and the Magisterium of our Roman Catholic Church." (Danbury, WI)

"I think you are stirring up a hornet’s nest by going against the grain." (New Ulm)

"You may want to think about this. If you think there are problems now! just wait!! Pastors with wives and kids!! You can’t serve two important vocations in life at the same time." (Lucan)

"Perhaps permanent deacons could ease the work load of priests." (Sleepy Eye)

"My husband and I are very disappointed to see you state so publicly in favor of married priests. God is not calling married men to be ordained priests since his holy Roman Catholic Church does not permit it." (Springfield)

The great majority of the hundreds of responses I have received have been positive. The people who supported me thanked me for my openness and for raising an issue which they had been thinking about for a long time. Many told me they would support me in prayer. Here are some of the things they said:

"If you asked Catholics on the street or in the local cafes or coffee shops, we’re sure the majority of them would also agree with you." (Silver Lake)

"With so many former Anglican clergymen working as Catholic priests in the London diocese, the majority of them married, it becomes increasingly difficult for the Catholic laity to see celibacy as the norm." (England)

"You are doing a great work for the Mystical body by recommending a discipline similar to that of the Orthodox Church. Already the convert Anglican and Episcopalian clergy are showing the way and our devout Catholic people are enthusiastic about this most wise development." (Ireland)

"Thank you for the word you shared, the conviction you articulated. We pray for you and your church, for the holy Church of Christ. (Lutheran pastor)

"It is energizing to have leaders such as yourself speaking out, calling the church to hear and respond to God’s voice." (Priest, Memphis)

"You are quite correct when you say there would be no incompatibility between marriage and the service of God’s people." (New York)

"Your public statement. . .took a lot of courage on your part and I say bravo!" (Dassel)

"The denial of the sacraments to a growing number of Catholics because of their non-doctrinal rule is nothing short of a scandal in the church. How sad that your voice is such a lonely one among the hierarchy." (Minneapolis)

"Many of my friends and I have spoken of this for years not only as a measure to ease the shortage of priests but to help the people who are called to serve as priests and are also called to marry." (Rochester)

"You said publicly what everyone is saying privately." (Priest, Ohio)

"Thank you for taking the courageous stand on married men becoming priests. You have our support and prayers. (Signed by sixty members of a small parish in the diocese)

"We senior citizens need a priest in every parish." (Canby)

"Large parishes are not the answer to the shortage of priests. What large parishes desire is exactly what abounds in small parishes, ownership and community life." (Priest, Minnesota)

"There are many other bishops, including myself, who feel that this should be discussed." (Bishop)

"Thanks so much for your recent statement on the absolute centrality and value of the Eucharist for us as a Catholic people, and hence the suggestion of ordaining married men or those who may want to marry." (Priest, Minnesota)

"Your pastoral letter was very pastoral, personal, cogent, and comprehensive." (Bishop)

"I hear lots of "Why not?" (Gaylord)

"We agree with you totally and will keep you in our prayers." (New Ulm)

"Yes, ordained married men. Ordain all who have been called to serve." (Blaine)

"I also want you to know many of us appreciate the candor and vision with which you spoke. I was especially grateful for your clarity about the gospel, the centrality of the pastor’s service in the church, and the negotiability of anything that doesn’t interfere with that clear center. I concur that not only does marriage not interfere, it can serve a pastor’s proclamation and service." (Lutheran minister, Minnesota)

"As a priest I feel I have experienced the effect of the shortage of priests." (Priest, Minneapolis)

"I can appreciate celibacy as a gift and a charism which has a place in the church without canonizing it, recognizing that we now face a far more urgent need for ordained ministers than any previous reasons for mandatory celibacy." (Sister, Minnesota)

"There can still be a celibate priesthood, but I believe that telling somebody you can’t be ordained unless you remained celibate does not make celibacy a gift but a condition of ordination." (Minneapolis)

"You speak truth without rancor, without malice, with simplicity and sincerity." (St. Paul)

"I have watched the number of priests dwindle to nothing and the church is becoming an organization of many followers with no one to lead. Parishioners can fill many roles, but it is simply not true that they can do what a priest can for a parish." (New Ulm)

"I for one would never question the value of celibacy. I also believe the central sacrament of our faith is the Eucharistic celebration. It is necessary to have priests to celebrate the Eucharist. It seems to me the issue of celibacy is interfering with the teaching on the Eucharist." (St. Joseph)

I am not trying to create a conflict with the Holy Father or other Vatican officials. As a bishop by ordination I have a responsibility to the universal church. I approach this question because I love the church. I have given my life in service for the people of God.

I agree that celibacy is a special gift of God. I also believe there are many excellent and otherwise gifted men who are called to the priesthood but who have not been called to the celibate life. With obligatory clerical celibacy men who are called to marriage have no opportunity to also answer a call to serve as priests.

There is no question about the fact that in calling for discussion of the ordination of married men along with the ordination of men called to celibacy, other issues will inevitably arise, such as the financial support of a wife and family, whether a priest and family would live in a rectory or elsewhere, and possible divorce and other marriage issues, the return of priests who have left active ministry, and the ordination of women.

I return, however, to my original concern, how are we to respond to the needs of our people in the church, particularly in handing on our faith, in celebrating the Mass and sacraments, and in working together for the transformation of the world?

November, 1998