By Luigi
Messa in Latino Blog
November 7, 2019
Pope Francis greets a defrocked Bergamo priest now married
On September 27, Aleteia published an article* entitled “When nuns and priests ‘hang up their robes’:
the reasons for some innovations to a ‘Rescript’”, announcing some new
instructions by the Holy See, regarding priests and religious who leave the
clerical state and are dispensed from their vows. The article is by Giovanni Marcotullio, unhappily known
for having justified the pagan rites of the Pachamama (see here).**
For the time being, this is
about a Pontifical Rescript ‘only’, mediated by the Congregation for the Clergy
for one single case, but if true, it would be really insane:
“[…] If in the
past the priest who left the ministry was not allowed even to continue being in
contact with his parish, it is now being asked that he assist in the carrying
out of “useful services” for the community. In particular, no. 5 of the
Rescript reads as follows: “The ecclesiastical Authority will endeavor to make
it possible for the dispensed cleric to carry out useful services for the
Christian community, by placing his God-given gifts and talents at its service.”
(no.5).
Furthermore,
no.6 adds that “the dispensed cleric be welcomed by the ecclesial community in
which he resides, to continue his journey, faithful to the duties of his
baptismal vocation”. (no.6). Thus, the root of the previous reference to the
priest’s “exile” is done away with. It reads as follows: “the priest dispensed
from celibacy and even more so the priest who has married, must stay away from
the place or territory where his previous status is known” (no.5f). The obligation
prescribed by the previous Rescript of imposing a penance on the dispensed
priest is also totally done away with, as it presupposed that he had committed
a sin and violated his duties. Regarding
this the new Rescript established: “Some
act of charity or piety will be set for the person concerned”. Moreover,
if the priest asking for the dispensation wanted to marry (something common in
most of the cases), the previous Rescript prescribed that “the ordinary must
lend the greatest care whereby the celebration is conducted with discretion,
with no pomp or fanfare.” (no.4). That is to say, hiding the priest’s sacrament
of marriage from the community. [To show that] receiving such a sacrament were,
in this case and only this one, a disgrace, or worse still, a scandal to the
faithful. Now, instead, it says that the marriage be celebrated “respecting the
sensibility of the faithful of the place” (no.4).
Besides the
changes in language, tone and norms, the new decree descends even further into
the practice and provision for dispensed priests to continue being active pastorally.
In fact, the previous Rescript, envisaged the following: “the dispensed priest
is excluded from the exercise of Holy Orders…and cannot deliver homilies or
cover any offices of direction in the pastoral sphere, nor will any responsibility
be given to him in the parish administration” (no.5b) and “ he cannot exercise the function of
lector, acolyte or distribute or be an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist
in any place” (5f)
Even if [the previous Rescript] contemplated the prospect that the Ordinary of the diocese might deviate from
some or even all of these clauses (no.6), the new Rescript proclaims: “The dispensed
cleric may exercise ecclesiastical offices that do not require Holy Orders,
with the permission of the bishop responsible” (5a).
Will we now
find priests and religious with girlfriends (or boyfriends) in tow, teaching in
Catholic schools, leading Catechism or
reading in Church? Let’s hope this is an April Fool’s Joke (but we are in
November!) otherwise, where does the respect for many exemplary priests and
religious go as well as any consideration for us, poor, lay people?
Or after the Roman / Vatican rites to the Goddess Mother Pachamama, is this
alright now too?
It would be
great if the Congregation for the Clergy and its Prefect, Cardinal Beniamino Stella, would debunk this disaster
waiting to happen.
Translation:
Contributor Francesca Romana
