Movement Defies Pope on Women's Ordination
Episcopal News Service. May 26, 1999 [99-079C]
(ENI) Despite Pope John Paul II's ban on women's ordination, a training course has been launched in Austria for Roman Catholic women wishing to become priests.
According to a report, the course was designed by the "We are Church" movement with the expectation that a future pope would change the church's rules on the ordination of women.
"We are certain a future pope -- though not necessarily the next one -- will give different signals than John Paul II, and that an ecumenical council will ultimately decide in favor of women priests," said Hubert Feichtlbauer, chairperson of the "We are Church" movement in Austria. The only questions for us are whether we've started too early and whether we'll unwittingly fuel frustrations or encourage rash actions."
He said applicants to the course should have theological training at a Catholic divinity school or in a diocesan program. But he added, "I don't expect any diocese will agree to work with us officially. But nor do I think they will hinder our activities."
The courses will instruct women on how to administer the sacraments, handle the media and guide and lead the parish community. Feichtlbauer also said the women will receive training in the "psychology and technicalities" of the priesthood, similar to that provided at male seminaries.
He continued that Austria's Roman Catholic bishops had so far avoided "official reactions" to this initiative but several priests and theologians had volunteered to help with the course.
However, Professor Paul Zulehner, an Austrian theologian, dismissed this course as "not serious." He said, "There are some women theologians who want to be ordained and are preparing for it," Zulehner said. "But this initiative is really just a protest and a gimmick -- particularly given their insistence that they won't accept ordination unless the church agrees."