Vatican: Archbishop Milingo and four others excommunicated

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Vatican City, Sep 26, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- In a statement released by the Holy See Press Office this morning the Holy See announced that “unfortunately” scandalous African Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, along with four men he supposedly ordained bishops Sunday, “have incurred excommunication” - according to the directives of Canon Law.

Milingo, who is married and on a personal campaign to make celibacy optional for Roman Catholic priests, ordained four married men Sunday as Roman Catholic bishops, reported the Associated Press.

Archbishop Milingo installed George Augustus Stallings of Washington, Peter Paul Brennan of New York, Patrick Trujillo of Newark, and Joseph Gouthro of Las Vegas during a ceremony at a Capitol Hill church. The four men claim affiliation to the breakaway Synod of Old Catholic Churches.

The Vatican’s communication says,"For this public act, both Archbishop Milingo and the four ordinands have incurred excommunication 'latae sententiae,' as laid down in Canon 1382 of the Code of Canon Law.”

The four men have joined Milingo’s Married Priests Now organization, which has announced its intent to change Catholic rules on celibacy by refusing to obey the Church’s teaching or hierarchy.

Stallings, who is a former Catholic priest who broke from the Church in 1989 and declared himself bishop of his own Cathedral in Washington, D.C., told the AP that the men consider themselves validly ordained Roman Catholic Bishops.

However, the Vatican communication notes that “the Church does not recognize, nor does she intend to recognize in the future, these ordinations and all ordinations deriving from them; and she considers the canonical status of the four supposed-bishops as being that they held prior to this ordination.”

Though, by virtue of his episcopal status, Milingo is capable of validly ordaining the men, they are not considered Roman Catholic Bishops due to their schismatic act.

The Holy See noted that it has followed the actions of Milingo, “with great concern.” The new association of married priests, the Vatican said, is “spreading division and confusion among the faithful.”

"Church representatives of various levels have tried in vain to contact Archbishop Milingo in order to dissuade him from persisting in actions that provoke scandal, especially among the faithful who followed his pastoral ministry in favor of the poor and the sick,” the Vatican said.

“The Apostolic See, attentive to the unity and peace of the flock of Christ, had hoped that the fraternal influence of people close to Archbishop Milingo would cause him to rethink and return to full communion with the Pope. Unfortunately the latest developments have made these hopes more unlikely,” the communication lamented.

The Vatican's Congregation for Bishops had reportedly demanded that the 76-year-old archbishop send the Pope a letter of repentance for his previous actions by Oct. 15 or face “canonical suspension.” The suspension would bar Milingo from ordaining priests, leading Mass and performing other sacraments.

The Vatican said Milingo also violated Church law when he established his new organization, Married Priests Now, and when he celebrated Mass with married clergy. He introduced Married Priests Now in July in Washington, D.C., where he currently resides with this wife.

Today’s statement from the Holy See concluded with a call for prayer. "At times of ecclesial suffering such as these, may prayers intensify among all the community of the faithful."

Comments: 47

Subscriber comments:

Published by: joseph defensor
philipppines 12/18/2006 10:01 PM EST

That archbishop is tempted by satan to distroy the roman catholic church let us pray for all the priest to become a good priest of jesus christ...God bless the holy father and God bless the phillipines...please pray for more vocation to the priesthood and religious life.........

Published by: Steve
Oneonta, AL. United States of America 12/17/2006 09:44 PM EST

Of the upmost importance, what was done is clearly rebellion against the Pope and the Church. But the issue at hand is the issue of married priests. There are approximately 100 married Roman Catholic priests serving everyday within parishes across the United States. Many of which are ordained under a special dispensation allowing former protestant pastors to become Catholic priests. As a theology major it is proven history that 39 popes were married as well as untold priests throughout history. This issue is not something new, instead it is an ongoing debate. The Holy Scriptures allude to this problem very clearly and if the Bible is inerrant and it is, then there are no cause for alarm within the Church. St. Paul writing to young pastor Timothy gave clear and precise directives to him about the qualifications of priests and deacons. They are to be the HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE, some will argue that St. Paul wished others to be like him, 'single'. But no clear directive was given that this is a mandantory obligation to the priests. Church teachings clearly states that no Pope or anyone else can change the teachings of scripture. They instead are enforcers of Scripture as it has always been through the apostolic succession. The issue that wreaks havoc among the faithful can be resolved with clear answers, There are married priests, but married or not obedience is required to the Church leaders.

Published by: Theo
Denver, CO 12/13/2006 06:57 PM EST

Has he been defrocked, too? If not, he should be.

Published by: Bro. algie of Bl. Teresa of Calcutta
Philippines 12/12/2006 01:35 AM EST

Milingo's illicit actions, as I viewed his personality, even though I don't know about him, is a product of a failing personal formation during his seminary years and in his early priesthood. HIs suppressed yet later uncontrolled negative attitudes towards the teachings of the Church, the Church itself, and life as treasured by the Holy Catholic Magesterium are now being brought into the light.
I wonder about his past life as a priest and then as Bishop of the Catholic Church. I cannot fail to think whether he had known any woman before of which was not discovered by his parishoners. this is ought to be focused.
We have to be vigilant of other Milingos who wants to divide the Church and to destroy it in the persona of a deceptive intention.

Published by: Grean Villacarlos
Cebu City Phillipines 11/28/2006 04:21 AM EST

It is a very clear evidence that the Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church is really Alive. Viva el Papa

Published by: Cecelia Romero Tkach
Albuquerque, NM/USA 11/21/2006 02:08 PM EST

E. Milingo and his four musketeers are providing lots of entertainment for Lucifer. This might provide these individuals with temporary pleasure, but when they are presented before GOD, they will have to answer for their lack of respect, obedience, and fellowship. It will be up to the rest of us who are true Catholics to pray for these individuals. Pray the Chaplet of Michael the Archangle and the Chaplet of Divine Mercy in order to save their souls. GOD help them for they know not what they do.

Published by: Joseph Mark Lubula
Uganda 11/14/2006 02:51 PM EST

The catholic church is not a personal property but instituted by christ and meant for the purpose of spreading the gospel. The church has never lost vision however much we have people who try to bring confussion and personal showoffs. Thanx to the church magisterium for the code of displine which she maintains among the flock of christ. Long live mother church, long live our church leaders. Be strong and firm for with prayer everything is possible.

Published by: Adim
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa 10/30/2006 03:02 PM EST

Christian Savage I wonder if you really know what excomunication is all about. If you have given time to study some of the cases that has caused the church to excomunicate people, it will be clear to you and other people that it has nothing to do with sin or personal weakness. It has to dow with a deliberate decision to break unity with the church (whether the person involved thinks himself or herself right in any given situation). Milingo (an African like myself) did not only break his vow of celibacy which he freely took, but alligned himself with people who teach doctrines different from what the church received and is passing on. He went as far as ordaining people as bishops without the consent of the Pope. Is he(and are you) saying that God is so chaotic? Remember that to show his wish that authority should be respected, the Lord sent words to the apostles to "set aside Paul and Barnabas for the work which I have for them". God could have choosen the men and send them on mission but he decided to favour the unity and organization which he wants for his church. Bishops are ordained to assist the Pope in serving the church in other parts of the world other than Rome. With this in mind and Milingo claims to ordain them as catholic Bishops, where are they going to serve within the church? I am sure that if you reflect on this carefully you will realize that he is wrong in his decision. Let us all pray for reconciliation in our beloved church and also support our beloved Pope

Published by: Esteban
Costa Rica 10/20/2006 07:05 PM EST

Christian Savage
Bronx, NY, United States: the church does not excomunicate because of sins, just in cases of breaking of the communion with the Church. Another matter is wether Cardinal Law should be working for the Holy See. This I find unacceptable, but in any case it was the Pope's decision, and there is nothing else to it. I myself don't like the idea of Cardinal Law working in Holy See, but I am sure that the Pope must have had his reasons. After all it was John Paul II's decision, not Pope Benedict XVI's.

Published by: Christian Savage
Bronx, NY, United States 10/20/2006 12:52 AM EST

Although the Pope has the authority to excommunicate detractors of the Church and Archbishop Milingo MUST submit to his authority as Bishop of Rome and successor of St. Peter, why is there such a DOUBLE-STANDARD in the sense that the Catholic Church didn't "excommunicate" the DISGRACED Cardinal Bernard Law of the Archdiocese of Boston who committed the MORTAL SIN of SCANDAL--a SACRILEGIOUS act since he was a priest and bishop of the Church-- by shuffling homosexual & abusive priests from parish-to-parish??? I mean, the Church--which is primarily CONSERVATIVE in orientation is in a "sense" showing "preferential treatment" to HOMOSEXUAL priests that violate their Vow of Celibacy via the molestation of innocent young boys and/or teenagers over priests who honestly violate their similar vow by "taking along a Christian wife (1 Cor. 9:5)." Then, to add insult to injury, it was Pope Benedict XVI--then, Cardinal Ratzinger--that said "the media should stay out of the Church's business [in exposing the sex-abuse scandal]." Apart from the fact that this was an ironic statement coming from a "humble servant in the Lord's vineyard" since it was JESUS who said "Speak the TRUTH and the TRUTH shall set you free," I believe that by the Church exercising such a blatant double-standard only further tarnishes Her credibility to the world in "proclaiming the Gospel of Peace, Truth, and Revelation to the ends of the earth," especially not to mention Her affirmation of the sanctity of human life.

Published by: Pax Christi
New York, USA 10/10/2006 08:03 PM EST

Oremus!

Published by: Adim
South Africa 10/04/2006 03:06 PM EST

I think we all need to pray for the church and our beloved Pope Benedict XVI at this time. Milingo and the four others may be convinced in what they are doing but it all amounts to disobedience. They are not the ones to determine any rule for the church. I pray that our pope may have the courage and strength to uphold the truth. I wonder if Father Breathnach from Wisconsin
is a catholic Priest. I also wonder if he makes use of his rational faculty at all. Why does he refer to the Pope as a Nazi even after clarifications have been made. We should stop using emotive talks to distract and confuse people. Nazi has nothing to do with married priest. Again I ask us to pray for our church.

Published by: R. Anthony Solis
Puyallup, WA 10/04/2006 01:23 PM EST

I think everyone forgets the fact that our Mother Church allows married priests. Our Catholic Church has many rites and I know that the Eastern Rites the priests are allowed to marry but not the Bishops. In the U.S., Rome has not yet permitted a married Eastern Rite in these times.

I think the point is obedience. As most have pointed out that celibacy provides a strong spiritual symbol in these times and I feel the Latin Rite should keep the celibacy rule.

Published by: deji
ibadan nigeria 10/04/2006 06:43 AM EST

on no account should married priest be allow in the church,because the strength of the church lies deep in celibacy and the devil knows this alo that he is doing is to destroy this celibacy thing and the moment he is able to that he take over the world completely what we catholic need to do is to pray more fervently for our priest and stand with our rosary in a raging warfare against the devil. god bless the pope and continue to give him strength.

Published by: charles dare
lagos nigeria 10/04/2006 06:34 AM EST

i think archbishop milingo himself needs a special prayer for deliverance from demonic manipulations.excommunicating him at this time is like giving the devil the victory.

Published by: Veronica S.
South Carolina 10/01/2006 02:42 PM EST

The problem is not wheteher the Catholic Church might keep the practice of celibacy within the Latin Rite or make it optional in the future. The problem here is that Mnsgr. Milingo acted in a spirit of separation and disobedience to the authority of the Church, excluding himself from it. The Church is not a secular organisation. If we want changes within the Church, it is not acting in a rebellious way that we are going to "force" the changes. We must pray to the Holy Spirit to bring renewal to His Church and changes according to His will, not ours. Another thing that many people in this forum don't realize, Archbishop Milingo married to a woman within the sect of the Moonies (lead by Sun Myung Moon... do a little research and find what this is all about). We as catholic have the grave responsability to read more about sound Catholic teaching on the issue before speaking boldly of things we don't really know or making statements based on misguided or misinterpreted information. We also must pray for these priests to go back to the Church. Our dear Lord Jesus and Our Blessed Mother must be grieving the lost of these shepherds of the Church, deceived by Satan... may the Lord grant them the gift of true repentance and bring them back home.

Published by: Offir thorne
Modesto 10/01/2006 03:04 AM EST

Whatever the Pope or the catholic church does i will stand for. I obey God and my Pope.

Published by: Glenda Nikolakakos
Florence S.C 09/30/2006 07:56 PM EST

I am deeply sorry for those priest who do not obey and do not humble themselves and do not keep their vows to God, it's like a slap in the face of our Lord God. May our Lord God have mercy on them , and enlighten them and may our Lord God have mercy on the Catholic Church and bless our Pope, whom He appointed as the supreme pastor of the Catholic church.Holy Mother of God, please pray for us.

Published by: Llew Jones
Gauteng, South Africa 09/30/2006 05:31 AM EST

Unfortunately, in Africa there are many more like them.

Published by: Venceslaus Lawrence, cmf
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India 09/29/2006 01:00 PM EST

Celebacy is a precious gift of God to us through which one imitates Christ closely in the service of the Kingdom of God. It is a means of establishing deep intimacy and union with Christ. God invites his ministers to establish a communion with all peoples, cultures and with the entire creation through the power of celebacy. It is unfortunate that the Archbishop Milingo has set a bad example. If the ministers of the Church are not willing to make sacrifices what good they can do to humanity? May Mother Mary who loves the priests very much be with the Catholic Church closely during this trial.

Published by: Tom Scott
Australia 09/28/2006 04:24 PM EST

Maybe its time to make celebasy optional, as long as marrige isnt mandatory what is the problem? After all it is only a Church Precept.Maybe there could be different AGrades of the priest Hood.THe church has the authority to change this legitimatly.However if all it is is the spirit of rebellion then against Rome forget it.

Published by: Mark
USA 09/28/2006 01:51 PM EST

I wish people would stop referring to the Archbishop as being 'Married'!! Archbishop Milingo is *NOT*, in any way, shape or form, married, whether or not he is recognised as such by the State, by others in his sect or by sympathisers. Clerics in Major Orders cannot marry validly. Ordination is a Diriment impediment to marriage. The fact that he has received Holy Orders and taken a vow of perpetual chastity, nullifies any marriage vows he may subsequently make. Attempting marriage *after* Ordination is quite a different situation to receiving Ordination *after* being vailidly married. The unfortunate fact is, this Bishop, who has **voluntarily** vowed Perpetual Chastity before God, is living in sin with this woman. Not only is he causing untold scandal and giving bad example, but, if he continues to offer the Sacraments in this un-repented state of mortal sin, he is heaping sacrilege upon sacrilege; mortal sin upon mortal sin. The outcome, without the Merciful intervention of God, will be disastrous for all concerned. We must have recourse to the Immaculate Mother of God, by the daily use of Her Rosary, in these trying times for the Church. O Mary, concieved without sin ~ pray for us who have recourse to Thee. St. Michael the Archangel, pray for us!

Published by: Betty
Las Vegas, NV, USA 09/28/2006 12:39 PM EST

Thank God for our new Pope! Personal endeavors are not why Christ established His Church.

Published by: Rodolfo M
Port Hueneme, CA USA 09/28/2006 12:43 AM EST

We should pray the Rosary every single day to avoid to fallow into heresy. This is an advice from the Mother of God to all the faithful, given at fatima.

Published by: Rev. Juan Romero
USA 09/28/2006 12:03 AM EST

Ceelebacyis a gift of Godgiven to some for the good of the whole church. Evangelical chastity is essential to the Religious,but not to priesthood per se. If the disciple of the church allowing once again a married clergy is to take place, I believe it will begin with "permanent" married deacons who are mater, experienced, well-grounded.

Published by: Matt
new york 09/27/2006 05:53 PM EST

Sorry, but removing celibacy would remove the essence of giving of oneself to God and others. If priests can marry, how many are going to get up in the middle of the night and go to a hospital and give last rites? how many are going to be able to devote time for the poor if they were to have children? how are they going to support a family without a job, thus turning them into nothing more than Protestant pastors who say mass on sundays and thats it. Is that what you want priests to become???

Published by: Anonymous
California, USA 09/27/2006 03:59 PM EST

Archbishop Milingo was my Bishop in Africa where a large group of his highly educated clergy left the priesthood because of a lack of a married clergy more in keeping with their culture. Who is to judge when pastoral concerns weigh upon such shoulders. In time his prophetic charism may be rewarded, for these are only discplinary matters and not of the essence of the priesthood...

Published by: Matt
New York 09/27/2006 03:38 PM EST

It doesn't matter now whether they were validly ordained or not. They all incurred excommunication so they are no longer within The Church nor do they hold positions in the episcopate. Same thing occurred with Archbishop Lefevbre. They were valid, but once they were excommunicated, their positions became invalid.

Published by: Henry
Virginia 09/27/2006 02:23 PM EST

The 4 men ordained as Bishops are, in fact, validly ordained Bishops, whether Rome likes it or not. The Pope has recognized the validity of the Lefevbre ordinations in the SSPX in the same sort of circumstances. The only differences are one ordaining bishop was from Africa and one from France as well as one supported the Latin Mass and one supports married clergy. The church already has many married clergy. Maybe one day the church will have a married pope and she will not be so hung up about married priests.

Published by: Joe Bland
Whitesville, KY USAA 09/27/2006 01:09 PM EST

First of all scripture does not tell us that Peter had a wife, just a Mother-in-law. If my wife dies my mother-in-law is still that, my mother-in-law. Silence in scripute at times can speak volumes. Let us continue to pray for Pope Benidict and also the return of these wayward men.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 09/27/2006 11:59 AM EST

"For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths" 2 Tim 4:3-4.

2 Thess 2:3-17 is also just where we are now.

If priests would acknowledge the Message of Fatima, they'd be better off, as far as their salvation goes. Our Lady showed the children at Fatima in July 1917 that many people are in the sea of fire (Hell) for eternity. Perhaps we all should meditate on that each day.

Published by: Father Breathnach
Racine, Wisconsin 09/27/2006 11:15 AM EST

God bless Mons. Milingo. He will be declared a saint one day. Benny need to retire with his pension for being in the Nazi army

Published by: prince larvie
takoradi,ghana 09/27/2006 09:43 AM EST

priesthood is a vocation catholic men are called to by the holy spirit. if you are called as such, God is always ready to lead you to follow the laws of his Church.

Published by: Isabel
Des Moines, Iowa 09/27/2006 08:56 AM EST

Although our first Pope was married, the Church, at this time, has determined that celibacy is essential to the priesthood. That Canonical decision/rule/instruction is to be followed with resolute obedience. Period. May Mary keep us all under Her protective mantle, and may we immitate her, regardless how painful or difficult, in obedience and love. I will keep these men and all of us who "fall," in prayer, that each one of us my experience daily conversion. May God Bless our Holy Father abundantly for his trust, obedience, love and integrity.

Published by: Linda Blair
USA 09/27/2006 08:23 AM EST

Only in the united states can people do whatever they wan't,Im ashamed of my country.may God Bless our Roman Catholic church's and the Holy See!

Published by: Barbara Faciane
Slidell, Louisiana USA 09/27/2006 07:51 AM EST

May the Almighty Father bless you for taking the actions you did, God speaks through you and we the congregation listens.PRAISE BE TO GOD

Published by: Allen Bandril
Quezon City, Philippines 09/27/2006 06:23 AM EST

While it is always sad to hear of an excommunication, they call upon it themselves and they know it will happen. We pray that these people will realize the gravity of their actions and unite again with the Holy Mother Church. In this act of excommunication, I feel the Hand of God acting through His Church bringing Light to all the faithful. Holy Mary Mother of the Church, Pray for us.

Published by: Archbishop Leonardo Marin-Saavedra
London, Ontario, Canada. 09/27/2006 06:02 AM EST

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo is a valued bishop. Its consecration is true and our Church prays by the new bishops, We think that the Church of Rome, must accept the optional celibacy for Roman Catholic priests. God blesses the new prelates. The Most Rev. Leonardo Marin-Saavedra. Primate Archbishop of The Latin-American Anglican Church. London, Ontario, Canada.

Published by: Vilma J. Lagdameo
Cincinnati. Ohio 09/27/2006 05:55 AM EST

Alleluia! Thank you Jesus for giving us Pope BEnedict XVI. Let us all pray for him and all the misguided priests.

Published by: clare
Pakistan 09/27/2006 05:07 AM EST

If St.Peter was a married man with a motherinlaw the Lord Jesus comanded he love as he might his enemy, why is there so much hoohah about not allowing married priests, or nuns, to fulfill the spiritual needs of the faithful???

Published by: gerald kirsch
UK 09/27/2006 04:52 AM EST

What about the married Church of England Priests, who joined the RC church due to the ordination of women in their own comunion, should they too be dumped?

Published by: Noel Cordero
New York, NY USA 09/27/2006 02:20 AM EST

Praise God!!! I think he could possibly have been influenced by some of the demons he used to say he freed people of.

Published by: conchita
s.f. ca usa 09/26/2006 05:58 PM EST

Thank you, Holy Father, about time, don't know what took so long, tho. Thank you also for not retracting what you said about islam's violence, you don't need to apologize or regret, you were the only one who dares to say so, in public. don't let your secretaries take over your speeches, don't let another sodano do as with john paul II. God give you courage to speak out the Truth.

Published by: Allan Gibb
Toronto, Ontario, Canada 09/26/2006 05:39 PM EST

Praised be Jesus and Mary. Blessed be our Pope! This is in accord with the laws the Holy Ghost has set down in the Church, but one thing I don't understand: The fact that bishops are consecrated in schism does not invalidate the sacrament. The explanation CNA has provided as to why these priest's consecrations are invalid is not sufficient.

Published by: Jack Leone
Wantagh, NY 09/26/2006 02:58 PM EST

I pray for them.

Published by: Mike McCaffrey
Yarmouthport, MA 02675 09/26/2006 12:17 PM EST

Why did it take so long to dump these crazies?

Published by: Charles Wadlow
Kirkland 09/26/2006 11:56 AM EST

It is about time! Laus Deo! Praise Be to God, and thank God for a Pope with a Back bone!

I stand with you, Holy Father.

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