Dissent widespread within Austrian clergy, poll shows

CWN - June 29, 2010

More than half of Austria’s Catholic priests believe that women should be ordained, despite the Church’s definitive pronouncement that this is impossible, a new poll shows.

Among the 500 priests surveyed, 51% favored the ordination of women. The poll showed an overwhelming majority of clerics—79%-- in favor of opening the priesthood to married men.

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  • Posted by: Chorherren - Jun. 30, 2010 1:12 AM ET USA

    To be specific, the sampling group consisted of pastors (Pfarrer), not priests (Priester). Therefore, the poll focused on a group dominated by older men. Actually it is only surprising that the results were not worse. In any case, a small ray of light in this darkness is the fact that younger clergy (under 40) were much more likely to hold the Catholic faith (see Kath.net).

  • Posted by: Lilacs2me - Jun. 29, 2010 9:53 PM ET USA

    That's just because they have no vocations.

  • Posted by: visions - Jun. 29, 2010 1:54 PM ET USA

    "Who ever saw a weak man who was not obstinate, a weak man who was really docile, who ever knew a weak man of any nation who was not self-important? " from Spiritual Conferences, self-deceit, by Father Frederick William Faber

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