D squiet will Pass
priests have appealed to Bishop Leipretcht of Rottenburg not to diriss Fr. Halbfas from the crege. They say his retentio would he "a guarantee of fr dom for theological researc and opinion."
French protest
IN FRANCE, a group of 700 [jests and laymen has sent long letter to the Pope prote ting at the secular power he exercises as head of Vaticin City. criticising St. Peter s Basilica as "a monument to ecclesiastical pride." and complaining that the Chur 'h. was refusing to follow the crnmands of Jesus to live in p verty.
Addressing the Pope persona y. the letter said: "You are chief of State and are being treated as one. In yOur travels you are not received like a priest, but as a sovereign to whom soldiers present arms."
Another group of French priests have pledged themselves to modify their priestly way of life. They intend to take jobs outside the Church and indulge in politics, labour relations and other activities.
They say: "The clerical status imposed on priests, with the style of life and mode of relations with ordinary people that it implies. is one of the major obstacles to the revelation of Christ. The rejection of clerical status appears a necessary prelude to redefining our mission."
In a move to counter any impact the letter might have. Archbishop Marty of Paris has invited his own priests to suggest any changes they think necessary in diocesan structures and priestly status.