Future Church Asks Cardinals to Find More Priests

(RNS) A group of progressive Catholics has asked church leaders to focus on
the shortage of priests during a historic meeting of cardinals later this
month.

Cleveland-based FutureChurch, a network of 4,000 Catholics, said the "time
is ripe" for a conversation about the future of the priesthood, including
opening it up to women and married men. Pope John Paul II will summon
cardinals to Rome May 21-24 and is also planning a historic synod of bishops
in October.

"We need to make our leaders understand that the Mass is more important than
mandatory celibacy," said FutureChurch co-founder the Rev. Lou Trivison.

FutureChurch is asking church members to write to influential bishops and
cardinals, and the fledgling campaign has the support of other progressive
caucuses, including Call to Action and the Women's Ordination Conference.

A sobering study last year by the National Conference of Catholic Bishops
found there are more priests over the age of 90 than there are under the age
of 30. Eighty-three percent of parishes say they do not have enough priests
to meet their needs, and 2,334 U.S. parishes are without a full-time pastor.

"Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done quickly," said Sister
Christine Schenk, director of FutureChurch.