Pope hits disobedience among priests

In a stern Maundy Thursday homily, Pope Benedict XVI decried “disobedience” in the church, targeting priests seeking the ordination of women and the abolition of priestly celibacy. Instead of being driven by their “own preferences and ideas,” they should instead turn toward a “radicalism of obedience.” It was described as one of the strongest and most direct speeches of the theologian pope who will turn 85 next week. The statement also showed Benedict as a defender of orthodoxy, preferring a smaller church of ardent believers over a larger community that follows a watered-down doctrine. The pope was obviously referring to an Austrian group called Preachers’ Initiative, started by Father Helmut Schüller. The group has issued a “Call to Disobedience,” saying that the reforms they are seeking will keep the church healthy. Read the full story in the New York Times.

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