Switzerland: Catholic workers for the ordination of women
For the freedom of choice for priests regarding celibacy and for the ordination of women this was the proposal announced on February 9 by the central council and the central committee of the Movement of Catholic Workers (KAB) of Switzerland. A letter to this effect has been sent to the Conference of Swiss Bishops to ask for their support for these two causes.
The movement makes clear its attachment to the Church through its history, through its members in the departments and in the cantonal associations, as well as through its commitment to the application of the Churchs social doctrine in society. It claims to be concerned about the credibility of the Catholic Church, and as a part of this Church and as an active movement in parishes, it is anxious to transmit these concerns to the Swiss bishops: We inform you of our hope to see our bishops, in their activities as Church and pastoral leaders, not only listening to believers, but also taking steps to ensure that the message of the liberation of the Gospel, thanks to the Church, will lead people to the fullness of life.
In taking this stand, the KAB supports the initiative launched by the Roman Catholic synod of the canton of Lucerne in favor of optional celibacy for priests and the ordination of women to the priesthood (see DICI n° 87).
The imposition of celibacy as a condition for admission to, and visible sign of, the priesthood, seems, even to those inside the Church, often not credible and, in the eyes of committed Catholics, difficult to attain.
The Movement of Catholic workers, in view of the crisis situation which is sweeping through the parishes and which affects a good number of priests, asks that an open debate be started in the Church on the conditions for admission to the priesthood. As the exclusion of married men contravenes basic human rights, which the Church, in other contexts, justly considers as fundamental to community life.
On the question of the ordination of women, the KAB says that some women fulfill the role of chaplain in the same way as men, and this creates a richness for the Church. Their non-admission to diaconal and priestly ordination, as well as the office of bishop, because of their sex, is seen as discriminatory in todays society. It contradicts basic human rights and the biblical values of equality for all, independent of their sex, of their position and of their way of life. On this point too, the direction of KAB asks the Swiss bishops to do all they can to enable women to attain the priesthood.
