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	Progressive Catholics Push for Church Changes during Detroit Conference By Candice Williams Detroit News June 11, 2011 http://www.detnews.com/article/20110611/LIFESTYLE04/106110385/1361/Progressive-Catholics-push-for-church-changes-during-Detroit-conference Detroit — Catholics from across the country are calling for change in the Catholic Church during a three-day conference this weekend in Detroit. More than 2,000 people have already shown up at Cobo Center for the American Catholic Council to discuss their push for changes in the church such as allowing priests to marry and increasing the role of women in the Church. The conference began Friday evening and will end Sunday with Mass. The goal is to inspire people to take what they learn back to their churches, friends and neighbors, said Janet Hauter, chairwoman for the event. "We want nothing more than to have the church strong again," Hauter said. The Archdiocese of Detroit has warned the group of progressive Catholics of serious violations — including defrocking of priests or deacons — if it carried through plans to celebrate Mass this week at Cobo Center. Archbishop Allen Vigneron has warned that a planned liturgy on Sunday would not be celebrated "with my permission as required by law and the good order of the People of God." Hauter has said organizers have consulted a lawyer who is familiar with canon law and said her group has been advised that it will be in compliance with church laws. So far, the event has been peaceful, Hauter said. Members of a "peace team" were a visible presence with bright yellow vests. There were some bishops and priests in attendance, who either signed up with another name or without their title, Hauter said. "They try to keep the peace, keep their jobs," she said. "It's an unhealthy environment (the church) created." Evelyn Decherski of Southgate said priests should not face any backlash if they chose to attend the weekend gathering. "You are expressing yourself in the faith you love," she said. "You should not face religious sanction." Church officials asked the Catholic Council to cancel its conference and sent a note of caution to the clergy and Catholic faithful on the ACC last fall, according to the Detroit archdiocese. Spokesman Ned McGrath has contended that the group never asked for the archbishop's permission to celebrate the liturgy. "The Detroit archdiocese has been and is troubled by a gathering that features speakers who are openly separated from the Catholic Church," McGrath said in a statement today. "Regrettably, the ACC portrays itself as something other than what it is, relying on contributors whose credibility is chiefly among each other.There is great concern for those in attendance exposed to agendas that are confusing or, even worse, damaging to their faith." Saginaw resident Rita Untener-Dwyer said she would like to see women priests recognized and for priests to be allowed to marry. "They need companionship," Untener-Dwyer said. Her brother, Kenneth Untener, was a bishop for the Diocese of Saginaw. He passed away in 2004, but would have attended the conference if he were alive, she said. Ed and Anne Wilson came from Brooklyn, New York, to show their desire for changes in the Catholic Church. While others are leaving, the Wilsons said they're among the Catholics that are going to stay and push for reform. Among the changes Ed Wilson said he'd like to see is for laypeople have a voice in the selection of bishops. "We think people should have a right to say," he said. "We want to return to that tradition."
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