Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday condemned a group of Austrian dissident priests who have called for “long-needed reforms” on priestly celibacy and female clergy. About 15 percent of Austria’s priests signed an initiative to call for disobedience in June of this year. Speaking during Maundy Thursday mass in the Vatican, the pontiff said “disobedience” is not the raise concerns, and “we preach not private theories and opinions, but the faith of the Church, whose servants we are.” Maundy Thursday is when Catholic priests traditionally renew the vows they have made when they were ordained.
