moreover, he would not be allowed to carry out any teaching function, including catechist, director of religious education, editor of a diocesan publication or broadcast program, writing religious textbooks etc.
Whoa! So what CAN an unlaicized invalidly married priest with children do?
petition his bishop to begin the laicization process, and when and if permission is obtained, begin proceedings to convalidate his marriage. he is a similar position to a Catholic who obtained a civil divorce and remarried without obtaining a decree of nullity from his first marriage. He has placed himself, wife and children in an untenable position and has disbarred himself from reception of the sacraments in the Catholic Church and participation in any kind of ministry.
He can attend Mass without receiving the Sacraments. He can pray and hope to repent and be reconcilied to God and His Church before he dies.
And what about his wife? Can she be a catechist? Involved in any kind of parish ministry?
Not currently as she is living in sin.
How true, Mike, how true. Yet, when a scandal involving clergy is being committed right before your eyes (and the lives of innocent children) should we just put our heads in the sand? Isn’t that what many bishops were guilty of?
I can understand this sentiment but…
I agree. Public sin such as this is confusing to people. There is no need for it to continue especially when the situation can be resolved.
As to the law, children are not punished for the misdeeds of their parents. The children can receive sacraments, etc. but would seem to be receiving grossly perverse example. In baptism though, the Church expects the parents or at least one to raise the child in the faith though word and deed, being in communion with the Church. The irregular status of the parties is something that ought to have been confronted at the time when they approached the Church for the baptism of their children.What would be the repercussions to the children? They can still receive Holy Communion, etc., correct?
It makes me wonder why the couple has chosen to remain in the church if they are flaunting their indiscretion-they seem to have little respect for the church.
I only say that because if he is/was a priest he is certainly not ignorant to the implications of their situation and what is proper.
Indeed … grossly perverse!
What a sticky situation … Believe it or not, but me thinks my Bishop has greater priorities than one invalidly married unlaicized priest with children that lectors at Sunday liturgies and his wife who is a catechist! :banghead:
So that means you haven’t contacted your bishop?
He could have gotten married in the Church, had he previously sought and received laicization. But, he “doesn’t believe in laicization.” (Kind of like me telling the highway patrol that I “don’t believe in speed limits.”)
No, I haven’t contacted my Bishop.
If I register this violation I am sure I’ll pay the consequences at the parish level.
And? We must pray for the courage to do what is right. And if we do what is right (in this case, bringing the situation to the attention of the Bishop) we then suffer consequences, such as being ostracised (sp?), or otherwise looked down upon, we are simply suffering like Jesus did. It will be part of your Purgatory on earth.No, I haven’t contacted my Bishop.
The thing is, Mike, is that even Jesus and St. Paul won’t let you (or anyone) off the hook this easy.
And the problem with that would be? Perhaps if three or four of you present this to the bishop, with as much documentation as you can gather, the case will not only be more credible but less “ignore-able.”No, I haven’t contacted my Bishop.
Are you certain you want to be involved in a Parish which allows this ?No, I haven’t contacted my Bishop.