"Conservative" U.S. Bishop Richard Stika Supports Married Priests: "I See No Reason Not To," "If Amazon Synod Sees a Need, & w/Permission of Vicar of Christ"

Source: https://cruxnow.com/church-in-the-usa/2019/07/09/u-s-bishops-at-odds-over-amazon-synods-married-priest-proposal/
(9/29/19)

While both U.S. prelates are considered to be theologically conservative, their responses reflect a wider divide over the issue, which is likely to be one of the most divisive issues debated when the Synod convenes in October.

In a series of Tweets over two days, Stika defended the proposal of allowing married priests, noting that he assented to the authority and wisdom of the pope on the matter.

In his first message, he wrote that “Since the Church already has married priests in the world, I see no reason not to. To deny the Eucharist because of Church discipline to a remote area is wrong.”

“Most likely the ones who may complain are folks who can easily go to Mass,” he added, noting that he has traveled in the region and recognized its remoteness.

After sparking a range of replies, he added: “For those who have attacked my position of ordaining married elders in the Amazon. You live in the United States where Mass is readily available.”

“You live in comfort and in many places people are begging for the Sacraments and in other places they are dying because of their desire. Your comfort makes you blind to those who are not so blessed. It is shameful. You are spoiled. You have an ignorance of the missionary world,” he added.

“If the Amazon Synod sees a need, and with the permission of the Vicar of Christ and the successor of Peter gives his assent then it is correct,” he wrote in another message.