A propagating torsion model is derived from the requirement of compati
bility between minimal action principle and minimal coupling procedure
in Riemann-Cartan spacetimes. In the proposed model, the trace of the
torsion tensor is derived from a scalar potential that determines the
volume element of the spacetime. The equations of the model are writt
en down for the vacuum and for various types of matter fields. Some of
their properties are discussed. In particular, we show that gauge fie
lds can interact minimally with the torsion without the breaking of ga
uge symmetry.