Some Minnesota priests urge discussion on optional celibacy

Published: 2003-11-04

ST. CLOUD, Minn. (CNS) -- Seventeen priests of the New Ulm Diocese have written Bishop Wilton D. Gregory of Belleville, Ill., president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, asking him to discuss optional celibacy for priests with his fellow bishops during their Nov. 10-13 meeting in Washington. In a response, New Ulm Bishop John C. Nienstedt said that optional celibacy would "end up discouraging priestly vocations." "The gift of celibacy and its witness is needed now more than ever," he said. The 17 New Ulm priests, seven of whom are retired, represent 22 percent of the diocese's 77 priests, said Father Kenneth Irrgang in a cover letter accompanying the mailing. Father Irrgang is a retired New Ulm priest who lives in St. Cloud.

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