Every year, there is a conference of the National Catholic Education Association (NCEA). Designed as a means of opening dialogue and strengthening faith among religious educators, the conference invites noted speakers to address more than 10,000 participants from across the country.

This year, thanks to Father Kris Stubna, secretary of education of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, the conference will have several hundred fewer participants in attendance.

When Stubna heard that the Conference invited Sister Joan Chittister to be a featured speaker, he barred staff, educators and youth ministers from attending the four-day convocation.

In a vague, one-page memo sent to those in his 220-parish diocese, Stubna said that no diocesan staff shall attend the conference and that diocesan expenditure will not be allotted for any expenses resulting from the trip.

Why did Stubna make such a bold statement?

Because Sr. Chittister is a strong advocate for women's full equality in the Church – including women's ordination. Stubna stated in his memo that the "convocation suffers from a lack of completeness in its program and an incompatibility with authentic teaching. These circumstances are detrimental to the faith development of persons in ministry."

Stubna is not the only ignorant one.

On Jan. 17, Bishop John Myers of the Diocese of Peoria, IL, also sent a memo prohibiting the pastors, principals and chaplains in his diocese from attending the convention, citing reasons similar to Stubna's.

In other words, they don't agree with Chittister.

I find great irony in the actions of Father Stubna and Bishop Myers. They are barring educators from attending a conference focused on education. These educators are not impressionable young children, but rather full-grown adults capable of making their own rational decisions based on a lifetime of experience and learning.

Chittister is a beacon of hope for many disenchanted Catholics. She represents the continuing process of change that all theology must undergo. In order for positive change to occur, open dialogue must be encouraged. Stubna and Myers have resorted to scare tactics and blind leadership in hopes of preventing change — quite childish in my opinion.

The Church has a right to establish the rules it considers necessary, but it should not completely block off discussion about potentially controversial issues. As human beings, we need to recognize that change is a prerequisite to growth. We should welcome differences of opinions as a chance to strengthen our own.

She told the National Catholic Reporter she considers the current situation, "to be a sad position for educators to take who claim to be training the next generation to think," and that Stubna's and Myers' actions are forms of "intimidation and censorship, both of which are shameful in a so-called academic community."

A closed mind is a wonderful thing to lose.

If you would like to help Chittister's cause, take the time to email Stubna at communications@diopitt.org and write to Myer at 412 NE Madison Ave., Peoria, IL, 61603.

• Right On, Sister!