INTRO-- A group of 17 priests in the Diocese of New Ulm has signed a letter saying that celibacy should be optional for Catholic priests. The group is following in the footsteps of over 100 Milwaukee priests, who sent a similar letter to the U-S Conference of Catholic Bishops in August. About 22 percent of active and retired priests in the New Ulm diocese signed the letter. The bishop of the diocese reponded by issuing a statement opposing optional celibacy. Reverand Kenneth Irrgang (UHR'-gang) is a retired priest who helped organize the petition. He says the petition was a response to the Milwaukee letter.