Laicized priest leading a retreat?

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gracepoole

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I work with a former priest who is now married (to a former sister). I don’t really know anything about his laicization other than 1) he is now in his late 60’s, he attended seminary perfunctorily right out of high school or college, and I believe he left the priesthood within 20 years or so, and 2) he determined he “wasn’t called” to the priesthood and requested laicization.

My question is this: he and his wife have led spiritual retreats at various Catholic parishes. Is this permitted according to the terms of his laicization? I had no idea what those terms were until a priest shared them here recently (see below).
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When a priest is laicized: Vatican Document Catholic Living
I have had friends that have been laicized, and the document is the same regardless of the circumstances. For those that are interested: [image] [image]
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I will do that, Cajun!

I just noticed, too, that he’s been a guest on local radio speaking about the pope’s encyclicals…
 
I, a laywoman, have led retreats for my parish.
Why would this man and his wife not be able to do the same thing?

Now, if he is trying to act like a priest, saying Mass, hearing confessions, that would be wrong, but leading a spiritual retreat is something that anyone could do.

And if it happens often enough, at different parishes, and the man is on local radio, I am pretty sure if the local ordinary had a problem, it would have been handled long ago.
 
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I’m only going off of the form that I shared in the first post – until I saw that, I never would have guessed he was limited in participating in so many different ways.
 
Yes, that very strict form would actually bring the former priest’s role in leading a retreat into question. I didn’t understand why that form needed to be so strict, but what do I know.

However, is this former priest really confusing people in some meaningful way by leading a retreat?
 
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Tis_Bearself said:
According to this Jimmy Akin article, leading a retreat doesn’t sound like it’s a prohibited activity,
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That would be my ‘take’ as well. Leading a retreat is not a liturgically or ministerial role. so I don’t see why this man cannot do that.

I know of a laicized priest and his wife who teach catechism classes, why would this be much different.
 
I am willing to bet that laicized priests and their wives might also be involved in leading couples programs like Marriage Encounter, Engaged Encounter, pre-Cana workshops, etc.
 
Only the former priest and his bishop know.

The reacript can include additional restrictions, permissions and directives.

Leading a retreat would certainly be prohibited by my archbishop, though. That is excercising teaching, in a way.

This is probably no one’s business other than the bishop and former priest.

Deacon Christopher
 
Thank you, Deacon. He’s also teaching a course at a Catholic university, which is slightly alarming. I understand, though, that this is an issue between he and the bishop. I wish he weren’t part of the same community in which he was ordained. It seems to lead to lots of questions.
 
@Gabika50, is there anything that you might add here?

Thank you, all, for your thoughts and help!
 
Lay people can lead missions or retreats. As I said on an earlier thread today, your Bishop approves people who come in from other Dioceses to speak, people from within the Diocese are usually left to the discretion of the pastor.
 
I think the document provides that they’re generally supposed to move away from wherever they were previously serving as a priest and go someplace where they weren’t generally known as a priest.
 
TheLittleLady said:
Lay people can lead missions or retreats. As I said on an earlier thread today, your Bishop approves people who come in from other Dioceses to speak, people from within the Diocese are usually left to the discretion of the pastor.
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Of course lay people can leads retreats. Lay people are also allowed to be extraordinary ministers but laicized priests aren’t.

My greater concern at the moment is the discovery that he’s teaching at a Catholic university.
 
Tis_Bearself said:
I think the document provides that they’re generally supposed to move away from wherever they were previously serving as a priest and go someplace where they weren’t generally known as a priest.
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Yes. And that didn’t happen here. For what reason, though, I can’t begin to guess.
 
CilladeRoma said:
gracepoole:
My greater concern at the moment is the discovery that he’s teaching at a Catholic university.
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I actually get the concern on some levels. On one level, the priest is trying to serve others and the church and do a good thing, and he and his wife aren’t representing themselves as something they are not.

On another level, there is the issue of fairness. Men struggle with this type of thing…becoming a priest or leaving the priesthood to get married. Some men stayed priests when they probably could have been married. Others agreed to conditions and rules when they left. They should follow them, and Bishops shouldn’t turn a blind eye.
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I’m comfortable with the limitations placed on laicized priests by the Church. They’re in place for a reason. It’s fine by me if you disagree with them or with my concern.
 
But we don’t know what limitations were put on this priest?
My understanding is that the Ordinary has pretty wide latitude, and could allow the man limited teaching credentials, especially if he had a unique perspective on the topic.

Have you asked the man or your own priest these questions? Or inquired with the Bishop or even the University?
 
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CilladeRoma said:
But we don’t know what limitations were put on this priest?
My understanding is that the Ordinary has pretty wide latitude, and could allow the man limited teaching credentials, especially if he had a unique perspective on the topic.

Have you asked the man or your own priest these questions? Or inquired with the Bishop or even the University?
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In two different posts in this thread, the standard limitations placed on all laicized priests have been presented. And as I’ve noted, I plan to speak with my priest.

I fully understand concerns about scrupulous posters or those who are generally preoccupied with the failings of the hierarchy. As my posting history shows, I’m not. I’m also not a fan of the laissez faire approach to the Church. If you don’t like that I’m asking the question, as I said, I’m fine with that. 🤷‍♀️
 
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