C
CheezyDonut
Guest
If a Friar broke one or more of his vows, would he be punished? And if so, what would his punishment be?
- Status
M
Maximilian75
Guest
In what time period? What order?
Or do you mean in a more general sense…?
Or do you mean in a more general sense…?
M
Maximilian75
Guest
Also, @Cloisters or @sr.christinaosf may be able to help…
C
CheezyDonut
Guest
I meant in a more general sense. But let’s say what if a Franciscan Friar broke one of his vows?
M
Maximilian75
Guest
C
commenter
Guest
A “friar” can mean a priest, a priest in training, or a brother. Or a permanent deacon. Or bishop.
The religious superior would have responsibility, unless he is a bishop. Some issues would also need to involve the Ordinary.
The religious superior would have responsibility, unless he is a bishop. Some issues would also need to involve the Ordinary.
Cloisters
Well-known member
I’m assuming this is a hypothetical situation in modern times.
The superior would have to be notified of the breach. If a local Ordinary has jurisdiction, they will be notified, as well. An investigation would have to take place, to determine the depth of the infraction. While that is happening, they may be removed from their particular ministry, esp if children are involved.
Should the friar be intimately involved with either sex, a determination will be made if they should leave their vows altogether. If attracted to the opposite sex, then the Sacrament of Matrimony would certainly be an option if they leave their vows.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
The superior would have to be notified of the breach. If a local Ordinary has jurisdiction, they will be notified, as well. An investigation would have to take place, to determine the depth of the infraction. While that is happening, they may be removed from their particular ministry, esp if children are involved.
Should the friar be intimately involved with either sex, a determination will be made if they should leave their vows altogether. If attracted to the opposite sex, then the Sacrament of Matrimony would certainly be an option if they leave their vows.
Hope this helps.
Blessings,
Mrs Cloisters OP
Lay Dominican
Last edited by a moderator:
R
Roseeurekacross
Guest
@CRM_Brother
Last edited:
S
Sophie111
Guest
He would hopefully go to confession and carry on.
Perhaps you could be more specific, name the vow, whether it was public, whether it was grave, whether it involved another, whether it is habitual etc.
Perhaps you could be more specific, name the vow, whether it was public, whether it was grave, whether it involved another, whether it is habitual etc.
Last edited:
C
CRM_Brother
Guest
Hello CheezyDonut,
It depends on what the vow is, how grave the infraction was, and the decision of his superiors.
Unless it is a very grave offense, they are generally not directly booted from the Order. A religious community is meant to support their members spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This extends to helping a member struggling with their vows overcome this defect within their religious vocation.
There are some which are almost always grounds for expulsion from the Order: a hidden sexual relationship or the sexual assault of a person, knowingly refusing an order which has been given by a superior under the vow of obedience, sequestering funds (whether licitly or illicitly obtained) in a hidden bank account for personal use. Even if the vow is a solemn one, the Order retains the right to expel the religious from the Order in extreme and emergency cases before a Papal indult releasing the religious from their vows is granted.
In our Order, we also take a solemn vow not to seek ecclesiastical dignities (positions of authority or honors) within or outside of our Order. In this case, if a member actively seeks to subvert the valid position of another member for the purposes of obtaining it himself or actively seeks the procurement of a diocesan position or honor for himself, then it is grounds for expulsion (and has happened before).
Generally, anything less than this is mediated within the Order and is attempted to be corrected. This is not to say that there will be no punishment. Often grave infractions which do not result in expulsion are accompanied from punishments like removal from a position of authority removal from public ministry. Almost always, this punishment is accompanied by another program of formation to make sure that it does not happen again.
Now, the weight of the vow must also be taken into account. If the vow is a Simple one, as many order use today, then it is specifically the purview of the Order to decide upon punishment. Solemn vows, like my Order takes at final profession, are a public matter of the Church. As such, if the breaking of the vow publicly affects the faithful, then the Bishop of the Diocese or his representative may become involved with the resulting punishments and may file a complaint against the religious and the Order with the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life if he is not satisfied that the punishment does not fully address the infraction of the Solemn Vow.
Hope this helps,
Br. Ben, CRM
It depends on what the vow is, how grave the infraction was, and the decision of his superiors.
Unless it is a very grave offense, they are generally not directly booted from the Order. A religious community is meant to support their members spiritually, emotionally, and physically. This extends to helping a member struggling with their vows overcome this defect within their religious vocation.
There are some which are almost always grounds for expulsion from the Order: a hidden sexual relationship or the sexual assault of a person, knowingly refusing an order which has been given by a superior under the vow of obedience, sequestering funds (whether licitly or illicitly obtained) in a hidden bank account for personal use. Even if the vow is a solemn one, the Order retains the right to expel the religious from the Order in extreme and emergency cases before a Papal indult releasing the religious from their vows is granted.
In our Order, we also take a solemn vow not to seek ecclesiastical dignities (positions of authority or honors) within or outside of our Order. In this case, if a member actively seeks to subvert the valid position of another member for the purposes of obtaining it himself or actively seeks the procurement of a diocesan position or honor for himself, then it is grounds for expulsion (and has happened before).
Generally, anything less than this is mediated within the Order and is attempted to be corrected. This is not to say that there will be no punishment. Often grave infractions which do not result in expulsion are accompanied from punishments like removal from a position of authority removal from public ministry. Almost always, this punishment is accompanied by another program of formation to make sure that it does not happen again.
Now, the weight of the vow must also be taken into account. If the vow is a Simple one, as many order use today, then it is specifically the purview of the Order to decide upon punishment. Solemn vows, like my Order takes at final profession, are a public matter of the Church. As such, if the breaking of the vow publicly affects the faithful, then the Bishop of the Diocese or his representative may become involved with the resulting punishments and may file a complaint against the religious and the Order with the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life if he is not satisfied that the punishment does not fully address the infraction of the Solemn Vow.
Hope this helps,
Br. Ben, CRM
Last edited:
G
Gabika50
Guest
Like all things, it depends on the severity of the “break” and frequency. To err is human, to persevere is diabolical! The person could get released from the order altogether or laicized depending on the nature of the violation.
O
otrrl
Guest
One of the Friars on EWTN left his priestly ministry and religious vows. There is some indication his relationship with the woman involved fell apart. I recall he said his formal training included accounting, so he had something to fall back on.
- Status