Controversial Austrian Catholic to speak here

THE REV. Helmut Schüller, one of the most controversial figures in the Catholic Church, is making a stop in Philadelphia as part of his 15-city U.S. tour.

The Austrian priest will speak at 7 p.m. Friday at Sugarloaf Hill, across Germantown Avenue from Chestnut Hill College.

Schüller's reformist views are at the center of a controversy in which the Vatican stripped him of his monsignor title last year.

In 2011, Schüller organized more than 400 Austrian priests in an "Appeal to Disobedience," calling for the ordination of women and married men, the permission of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive sacraments and an end to celibacy for priests.

The talk will include a question-and-answer session.

So far, about half the 200-seat room has been reserved, a spokeswoman said.

To attend Schüller's talk, contact Nancy O'Brien at 610-825-0355.