In recent weeks, a small number of priests have expressed reservations about the amendment, which would define marriage "as between one man and one woman" and deny "a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals."
As the article later points out, that "small number" includes the 140 member priests' union local which has issued a press release endorsing not the views expressed by the bishops of Wisconsin's five dioceses, but those of Father Bryan Massingale.
One theologian even called for the amendment's rejection last month in a "guest opinion" for the Catholic Herald, where Dolan is not only a columnist but the publisher.
The Catholic Herald is published out of concern that there are not enough other places where people can see the bishops' views disputed.
A reprint of Massingale's opinion piece was distributed in bulletins at several local churches.
For example, St. Matthias, pp. 4-5 [6 pp. pdf]. Judged by column inches in the Catholic Herald and parish bulletins, Fr. Massingale is Bigger Than Jesus.
Yet by taking the stand he did, Massingale now finds himself in a different position, his profile raised a little higher beyond the usual academic and religious circles.
Not that publicity could be a motive, in case you got the wrong impression from the priests' union's December 13, 2005 meeting minutes [2 pp. pdf] in which they consulted with Tom Heinen on how to get their statements in the newspaper.
(via Dad29)
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