12/03/02
From Germany
It has been confirmed today by a professor at the university of Koblenz, who is a priest, classmate of the married priest concerned. His name is Klaus Dornseifer (60), resigned priest and former president of a Labour Exchange (employment exchange) office in East Germany. He was a priest of the diocese of Muenster and now lives in the diocese of Aachen (Aix-la-Chapelle) at the Belgian and Luxemburg border. He recently received a letter (from the vicar general or perhaps even from the bishop, don't know) of Aachen that he is entitled to administer the sacraments, including the celebration of the eucharist, whenever there is a necessity, and if the parish community agrees to be served by a married priest. Dornseifer himself called his classmates (not my professor himself, but another one who contacted my professor) to tell him the most astonishing news. Dornseifer was not available on the phone the whole day. But he had told his classmate of another married priest of his diocese who got the same permission. His name is Karl-Heinz Driessen.