Theologian Weigel addresses crisis facing Catholic Church

In his speech last night geared toward the University Catholic community, Roman Catholic theologian George Weigel said there is no reason to blame the recent sexual misconduct of Catholic priests on the vow of celibacy each takes at his ordination.

"To blame the crisis on celibacy is like blaming treason on the pledge of allegiance," he said. "It is similarly spurious to suggest this wouldn't have happened with a married clergy.

The speech, "The Courage to be Catholic: Crisis, Reform, and the Future of the Church," took its name from Weigel's recent book on the same subject. The talk drew approximately 100 students and community members in McCosh 50 last night.

Weigel, Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, is the author of a critically acclaimed biography of Pope John Paul II. He has written and edited 14 other books.

Students in the campus Catholic Chaplaincy suggested the topic, which Weigel describes as the "very difficult patch we've been through in the last 15 months."

Much of the current situation stems from what Weigel called "a crisis of priestly identitiy," which has led to a "crisis of priestly discipline." The events of the past year and a half constitute the "greatest crisis in U.S. Catholic history," he said.

In order to prevent further misconduct, Weigel advocated a return to deeply theological training in seminaries. Currently, there is too much emphasis in psychology and psychiatry in the training priests receive on how to lead a celibate life, he said.

The training would be far more effective if replaced by theological study, which would indoctrinate priests with a deep respect for the church's "sexual ethic," he said.

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After the lecture, Father Tom Mullelly, University Roman Catholic chaplain, expressed his satisfaction with the speech, and emphasized what he thought were the most important steps toward restoring the lost confidence in the church.

"We need to begin with prayer," and become "deeply rooted in the Scriptures," he said, adding that it is important for "bishops to be talented and committed to the challenge."

Aquinas member Katrina Besch '03 said she agreed with Weigel about the opportunity the crisis creates for the church.

"It's obviously been a huge tragedy," she said. "It was initially discouraging to people, but in the end it will end up being something that is good for the church" because it has started an honest dialogue, which Weigel said could only be a "good thing."

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Besch hoped that in addition to the Catholic community, the event would attract "anyone who is curious or critical or just doesn't know too much and wants to know more."

"This is exactly the kind of intelligent discussion universities are meant to foster," Weigel said. "And I'm very grateful.