Priest Denied Speaking Venues by Boston and Philadelphia Catholic Dioceses to Speak in Washington

WASHINGTON – Austrian reformer-priest Fr. Helmut Schüller is continuing his speaking tour of the United States in D.C. Monday night. This will follow speaking engagements in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, which have been marked with controversy. Fr. Schüller, who has generated growing international interest and support for his call for the acceptance of married and women priests to combat the increasing priest shortage, was denied the right to speak on Catholic property by the Boston and Philadelphia dioceses.

The Sisters of St. Joseph, who own and operate Chestnut Hill College, a Catholic institution in Philadelphia, will host Fr. Schüller’s presentation on Friday.

When the D.C. organizers of the speaking tour saw opportunities for a hospitable Catholic forum dwindle, they sought options with other faith traditions. After searching for weeks, Pastor John Kidd of Augustana Lutheran Church, a congregation affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, gave permission to hold the event at his church.

“Augustana Lutheran Church was born of a long line of church reformers rooted in the Roman Catholic Church,” said Pastor Kidd. “I am pleased to welcome Father Schüller to Augustana and to hear his call for reform and renewal. Ecumenical in the Lutheran tradition, our parishioners include former Catholics who enjoy the open, all-are-welcome-to-fully-participate nature of our community. Many of the concerns Fr. Schüller raises are issues our community has faithfully addressed. We value and support the diligent effort and courage that they require of church leaders.”

Organizers for the presentations said they were disappointed with members of the Catholic hierarchy snubbing the tour, but they were not surprised.

“Fr. Schüller stands with the majority of Catholics who have long supported equality and open dialogue in our Church,” said Erin Saiz Hanna, executive director of the Women’s Ordination Conference, one of the sponsors of the tour. "The hierarchy has intentionally created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation but the people in the pews are ready to talk about change, with or without the hierarchy’s consent.”

Fr. Schüller formed the Austrian Priests’ Initiative, which in 2011 promulgated a “Call to Disobedience,” that, in addition to calling for a more inclusive priesthood, advocated for an opening of leadership positions and church responsibilities to the laity. He was subsequently stripped of his honorary title of “monsignor” by Pope Benedict XVI, but remains a priest in good standing in Austria.

The worldwide priest-shortage situation and other crises facing the American Church inspired Ben Palumbo, a board member of Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good, to join with other Catholic organizations to invite Fr. Schüller to the United States for the 15-city “Catholic Tipping Point” tour, named for the mounting challenges facing the faithful. Palumbo is also a board member of Catholics United.

“For years now I have sensed growing frustration among many of my fellow Catholics that they have no voice or role to play in guiding the Church,” said Palumbo. “That’s just wrong. All institutions need to adapt to the times…to face problems and seek solutions. Bureaucratic responses that amount to ‘we have always done it this way’ simply are not sufficient in any organization, and our Catholic Church is no exception.”

Palumbo said this moment has been a long time coming.

“Fr. Schüller’s call for reform echoes what so many people have been saying for years: the Church is in desperate need for renewal, accountability and a more inclusive attitude,” Palumbo said. “Pope Francis has made some good steps forward, and we wish him well. But this tour is meant to continue to inspire lay people to stand up and tackle the problems facing the Church with clear eyes and strong voices.”

Fr. Schüller’s D.C. presentation, officially titled “The Catholic Tipping Point: Conversations” begins Monday, July 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Augustana Lutheran Church, located at 2100 New Hampshire Ave. NW. His talk is open to the public and members of the media.

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