The Ordinary, however, should take care that the matter be discreetly handled without pomp or external display. Moreover, he may not function as extraordinary minister in the distribution of Holy Communion nor may he discharge any directive office in the pastoral field; c) similarly, he may not discharge any function in seminaries or equivalent institutions. A defrocked [] I can do things with local bishop permission, so thats the point of action after much prayer and fasting. The then-Archbishop of Milwaukee petitioned Rome to dismiss this priest from the clerical state, decades after the abuses had taken place. Its a tradgedy for the mystical body of christ when a priest seeks laicization.We have to say yes every day of our lives like in a marriage, for richer for poorer ,for better for worse,in good times and in bad.If we do not have a deep prayer life and a special relationship with the Mother of God we will not make it. Paul Ambro, dont confuse illicit with invalid. However, according to the Catholic News Agency, diluted priests can marry and do not have to abide by rules such as celibacy. But in the parishes I have been connected with, Ive never heard of lay lectors being installed in any wayat best, theres a brief training session, then how often do you want to be on the calendar? As I read the rescript, the emphasis seems to be on office of teaching in seminary/college/parochial school, not parish catechesis, but I could be wrong. What is the process of removing an automatic excommunication? This does not mean that they cut different deals with different priests. Can. He is responsible for his own years of decisions and undecisions and we should not take it upon ourselve to lament his inability to exercise his expertise as an ex-preist any further. What was the nature of Pope St. John Paul IIs devotion to Our Lady? Prior to this 1996 request, the Archdiocese apparently did not impose any sort of canonical penalty on this priest, who served as a parish pastor for many years after leaving the school where the sexual abuse had been ongoing. But I can see why the Church made rules like this. Jay, Only church authorities do. Whats the Difference Between a Pastor, and a Parish Administrator? He is free to make a private contract with a private employer. The one exception would be a rather prominent English professor who, several years before I came, came out as gay, left the Jesuits, and now claims to be a priest in some sort of alternative Catholic church. canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com We too should pray for those priests who have left the active ministry, that if possible, they will return to the vocation to which they were called and exercise the great gift of priesthood they have received. Why are we supposed to be suddenly sympathetic to his inability to be, say, a CCD teacher to a bunch of 3rd graders? Yet, the sacrament would be valid; that is, there would be a true . Now I realize he groomed me, too. A laicized priest in heaven will eternally be a priest before God. What is the biblical basis for in the catholic theology of a priest being in "persona christi"? But as for those cases where a proper investigation has been made and a cleric has been punished in some other way, journalists have no right to judge whether that cleric should have been dismissed from the clerical state. But minor changes would not do so. But, laicized priests may be able to marry and don't have to abide by rules such as celibacy, according to the Catholic News Agency. In Catholicism, a laicized priest is forbidden to exercise his . ), (Please note that even if a priest leaves the active ministry without proper permission and without ever being laicized, he too still has the sacramental character of Holy Orders. You need to be a member in order to leave a comment. In fact, he left so quickly that we didn't even get a chance to give him a proper send off. I had several ex-Jesuits as professors, one in theology. Well, Im sure as heck in no position to make snarky comments. Please make sure you fill in your correct email address if you want to receive answer from Fr. Im not sure what the precise interpretation of ecclesiastical authority is, but certainly the rule is not much followed at the major American Jesuit university of which I am an alum. Every single state in this country has a law against premeditated murdersometimes called first-degree murder, sometimes called something else. A second grave reason stems from the danger of infamy by publicly revealing the state of one's soul. The death notice distributed by the diocese listed him as Father So-and-so, an inactive priest. In the Catholic Church, is there specific canon law on voluntary excommunication? Disconnect between goals and daily tasksIs it me, or the industry? In such cases, a less organized procession at Communion allows such people to pass unnoticed. 1 by a judgement of a court or an administrative decree, declaring the ordination invalid; In such cases we saw that they can petition the Vatican to be released from the clerical state (c. 290 n. 3). Please just seeking clarifications from people i believe are more experienced and experts on the issue. @PeterTurner, not celibate but abstain from sex with their wife. How do you get out of a corner when plotting yourself into a corner. Furthermore, while it is nobody else's business why somebody does not approach Communion, pastors should do all that they can to avoid creating public pressures that might induce a person in a state of mortal sin or otherwise unable to receive Communion to receive out of an objective fear of infamy or even out of human respect. Commonly, this practice is called laicization, meaning returned to the state of the laity. (Code of Canon Law, #290-293.). Can a Priest Ever Return to the Lay State? Even if he remains a priest, though, the man is still responsible for his minor children, and will have to make some sort of arrangement for their welfare. Why are we supposed to be suddenly sympathetic to his inability to be, say, a CCD teacher to a bunch of 3rd graders? It is widely understood that it was Cardinal Ratzinger himself who urged this change in procedure, because he was concerned that necessary steps must be taken to properly investigate every allegation of clerical abuse and take action on those which were proven to be true. What are the conditions for removing excommunication of a married priest? Some parts of such difficult decissions belong to people we trust. However, generally excommunication is not one of that censures contemplated, unless there are aggravating circumstances (e.g., abortion, attempted absolution of the priests accomplice). The laicization of a priest is a bit like that, albeit at the soul-level. [Published in Canon Law Digest, vol. In the past Cathy has published articles both in scholarly journals and on various popular Catholic websites, including Real Presence Communications and Catholic Exchange. 7) He cant serve a director (e.g., school principal) in a parochial school. What Eucharistic miracle inspired the Feast of Corpus Christi? He may no longer have the obligations or the privileges to function as a cleric, but nevertheless he remains a cleric. Can. But he is forbidden from exercising it for the rest of his life. If he does not repent after being warned and continues to give scandal, he can be punished gradually by privations or even by dismissal from the clerical state. Instead, it seems that they base the rescripts on the same template (kind of like a form letter) and basically lay down the same rules for each priest who is laicized. Biden said that Pope Francis, during their meeting Friday in Vatican City, told him that he should continue to receive communion, amid heightened scrutiny of the Catholic president's pro-abortion policies. Womens Ordinations Behind The Iron Curtain. By After the end of his marriage (I never asked if it was by death or divorce), he decided that he wanted to return. Thus it is expected that the man will separate from his putative wife and presumably get a civil divorce. most of the the time lay people may think that given rules are somehow condemnation. However, at the same time, he should be informed of the following points: a) the dispensed priest automatically loses the rights proper to the clerical state as well as ecclesiastical dignities and offices; he is no longer bound by the other obligations connected with the clerical state; b) he remains excluded from the exercise of the sacred ministry, with the exception of those functions mentioned in canons 882 and 892, 2, and, as a result, he may not give a homily. "2. *Again, for clergy to attempt marriage does not incur an excommunication. Susan Peterson, naturally, ex-priests need in some way or another, need assistance. Just my deux centimes. So what happens when a priest leaves the priesthood? We only know that there is no documentation indicating that the Congregation sought to have the priest dismissed from the priesthood, or defrocked.. Christianity Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for committed Christians, experts in Christianity and those interested in learning more. Could the gossip about the X-Jesuits be confusing being a Jesuit with being a priest? At Christ's invitation, extended by the priest acting in Christ's person: "Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," the members of the community move forward to share in the sacred meal, to receive the Body and Blood of Christ which is the sign and the source of their unity. He marries outside of the Chuch so his marriage is not sacramental but it might still be recognized as it is for atheists or other Christians. Excommunication carries with it the consequence of not being able to receive the Eucharist, celebrate Mass or receive other sacraments of the Church. Im not talking about people who dropped out of seminary when they were 20. In some ways he is in a similar situation to one who has civilly divorced and "remarried" (i.e., one who who lives in concubinage). I might offer a few tiny clarifications: I suppose it does leave open things like lector or catechist. Continence means not engaging in sexual intercourse. We hope and pray our actions have become a model for what TO do after decades of what NOT to do. In other words, forced laicization is never a mandatory punishment. There is no need for him to do anything that might lead people to suspect his lack of a state of grace. Unless, of course, you really believe that adage Those who can do, and those cant teach, I dont see why ex-priests would be high on the list for teaching at Catholic universities or presenting themselves as Catholic theologians in another Christian setting. The flesh, the world or the devil will end up conquering us. 5. And what do you think is the interpretation of some work of piety or charity should be imposed on him? The Communion Procession is an action of the Body of Christ. On the other hand, as Canon 1087 says, those who have received the sacrament of Holy Orders are impeded from contracting marriage (unless, of course, they are given an indult after laicization). He has a new life as a married Catholic and a laymanlet him be an extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, or teach CCD. Similarly, canon 1395.1 states that a cleric living in concubinage (i.e., living with a woman as if she were his wife), or engaging in some other external sin against the Sixth Commandment, can receive the same punishment if he persists in this offence. Our reply on the validity of Mass celebrated by a priest in mortal sin (Feb. 8) spurred several related questions. What is the point of Thrower's Bandolier? Even in the case that the priest, or any other person, has secretly committed a grave crime, which would normally lead to his or her being automatically forbidden to receive the sacraments, Church law (in Canon 1352) foresees the possibility of the penalty being suspended to avoid infamy or scandal, to wit: "1. Maybe Im oversaturated with the Baltimore Catechism, but it seem to me that a laicised priest could still baptize in the same way any other layman might be called upon to do an ememrgency baptism. Hence, bishops, priests, and deacons who attempt a marriage after their ordinations, and persist in it, would be barred from receiving Communion, based on Canon 915: Those who have been excommunicated or interdicted after the imposition or declaration of the penalty* and others obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin** are not to be admitted to holy communion. Copyright 2006-2016 Fountain of Love and Life, All Rights Reserved. Phrases like defrocked priest thus are legally inaccurate and amount to nothing more than street-talk! If a priest is required to celebrate Mass or a soul requests the sacrament of reconciliation, the anointing of the sick, or indeed any other sacrament from this priest that would have to be performed before he can avail of confession, then he may, and usually must, administer the sacrament. As well, once ordained, a priest is a priest eternally. Like all married men, married deacons and priests are not required to live in continence. I think I understand some of this but would like clarification. 3. Canons 290-293 provide a brief outline of the loss of the clerical state. According to Roman Catholic discipline, the Code of Canon Law does not object to the reception of Communion by Christians of these Churches (canon 844 3). In doubtful cases the text of the rescript that was given to an individual priest should be consulted, and the interpretation of the local bishop followed regarding whether a particular action or office violates the instructions the rescript contains. That document is known as a rescript of laicization, and one is issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith for each priest who is laicized. This is a fairly minimum intention and means that a sacrament would be valid even if a minister lacked faith in the sacrament, or were in a state of mortal sin. This last delict, of course, is the crime which justifiably has received so much attention lately in general. And since teaching the faithful is an aspect of being a priest, teaching at a University as a layicized priest would be a way to become a pseudo-priest. At an opportune time, however, a brief report should be made to the sacred Congregation on his performance, and, finally, if there should be any wonderment on the part of the faithful, let a prudent explanation be provided. First of all, a priest who attempts to marry does not incur a latae sententiae (automatic) excommunication. He clarified that when this happens, it doesn't mean that a priest is no longer a priest: "the sacrament of Holy Orders isn't lost . This is left to the judgment of either the judge or the jury (depending on the court system), and not all convicted murderers receive the same sentence. In any event, I am curious about (at least anecdotally) what is typical for the work of piety or charity imposed. (The minor modifications would concern things like the name of the current pontiff, the fact that the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith is now called just the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and updating the numbers of a couple of canons that allow laicized priests to hear deathbed confessions, since the numbers are different in the 1983 Code than they were in the 1917 Code). I've known two situations in my life like this: in the first case, a priest and nun, they were excommunicated and haven't returned, but their daughter was my beat friend for a year--otherwise healthy family who called themselves "Christians"; second, my wife's uncle married a parishioner, but he had self reported and after a brief hearing (with the bishop?) Laicization, by nature, is the canonical process of the Church in which a ordained priest is removed from ministerial faculties and the promise to celibacy is dispensed.