Archbishop Myers responds to Milingo’s antics in New Jersey

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Newark, N.J., Sep 19, 2006 / 12:00 am (CNA).- Archbishop John Myers of Newark said he was “greatly saddened by the recent words and actions” of a retired African archbishop, Emmanuel Milingo, who has burst back into the media spotlight. Milingo, who broke his own ordination promises as well as personal promises he made to Pope John Paul II, is holding a convention for married priests this week in the middle of the Archdiocese of Newark.

Archbishop Milingo, 76, first grabbed international attention when he was publicly married to Maria Sung in 2001 by cultic sect leader, Sun Myung Moon, in spite of the ordination promises Milingo made to live a life of celibacy and obedience to the teachings of the Catholic Church.

Four months later, after a personal appeal from Pope John Paul II, the archbishop renounced his attempted union to Sung and apologized for causing scandal. Milingo was setup with housing for his retirement, but earlier this year suddenly fled Rome. This past July he reappeared in the United States to announce his renewed plan to change Church rules on celibacy through protest.

Milingo and his renounced wife Sung have now joined forces with other vocal Catholic dissenters to form, “Married Priests Now!” This week Milingo attempted to boost membership in his club by inviting married, former Catholic priests and their wives to a convention in Saddle Brook, NJ.

Archbishop Myers, in whose archdiocese the event is taking place, says Milingo has again broken the Church’s trust.

“His actions fly in the face of what we all believed was an honest reconciliation with Pope John Paul II several years ago and certainly will cause much distress to all who understand that his actions are contrary to the teaching and discipline of the Roman Catholic Church,” Myers said in a statement. “That he has again chosen not to honor his word and his ordination promises is most unfortunate.”

Archbishop Myers recalled the Church’s long held teaching and practice concerning celibacy. “Those of us who answer the call to Holy Orders in the Latin Rite Church give ourselves entirely to God,” he said.

Though the Church’s stance on priestly celibacy is a “discipline” which could someday be changed (unlike its teaching on the ordination of women), the Church maintains that celibacy has a profoundly positive impact and is not something that an individual priest or bishop can decide to forgo.

“Chaste celibacy … permits the priest to dedicate himself completely to a new life of service. It is a gift to God, the Church and her people, freely given,” he explained.

Archbishop Milingo said Sunday that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, has demanded that he send a letter of repentance by Oct. 15 to Pope Benedict XVI or face "canonical suspension," reported The Associated Press.

"Your behavior, activities and public statements during these past few months are completely contrary to the obligation of every bishop," Cardinal Re reportedly wrote in the letter, reported the AP. "In the name of Jesus Christ, I beg you to reflect seriously on your behavior and all its consequences."

Archbishop Myers, echoed the Cardinal’s words, saying that prayer would be his resort, “I can only pray that Archbishop Milingo will soon rediscover the core of his own priestly promise of celibacy, and work then to undo the confusion and sorrow he is causing with his current actions.”

Comments: 24

Subscriber comments:

Published by: John
New York State 11/20/2006 10:28 AM EST

If one was to study the Canons of the Eastern Church one would see that they have the apostolic tradition with clarity: allowing for both married men and men who freely choose celibacy to be ordained. May the Holy Spirit one day allow the whole Catholic Church to follow the more ancient tradition of the East.

Published by: michigancatholic
grand rapids, michigan, usa 11/18/2006 11:33 AM EST

John, I believe you may have nailed it. I think that Abp. Milingo never did repent, but rather laid low til he could garner the backings he needed from various individuals. I believe he should remain excommunicated unless & until he completely retires from public view for LIFE. IF & only IF he does this, they should restore him to the CHurch. The man needs a real exorcist and a spiritual director. Evil has its claws into Milingo & his buddies. I say this not completely because of the celibacy thing (that's another issue), but because of the Moonie thing, the Dan Brown thing, the alliance with other excommunicates, the opposition and rebellion.

Published by: Matt
New York 09/27/2006 02:31 PM EST

I would advise people not to read anything related to or written by Schillebeeckx, Congar or Radcliffe. They have completely distorted the teachings of Vatican II and do not even uphold many Church Dogmas. You would be reading material close to heresy. Good reading material would be the lives or writings of the Saints or of the Holy Fathers.

Published by: R. Anthony Solis
Puyallup, WA USA 09/26/2006 02:48 PM EST

In the Eastern Rite Non-US - the clergy are allowed to marry. This has been an apostolic tradition. It was later changed in the Latin Rite.

And yes, Anglican/Episcopalian married Priests have been allowed to be priest in the Catholic Church.

I for one hope they don't change the Roman rite, the celibate priests are such an incredible holy symbol for our times.

- R. Anthony Solis, MJ, MI, MC

Published by: R. Anthony Solis
Puyallup, WA 09/26/2006 02:33 PM EST

To Charles - Your words seem a bit harsh for a Catholic. As told to us time and time again, Love is the greatest virtue, we should use it!

George from SF was merely pointing out facts from history. Which sounds like it was form an educational class.

His comments did not agree with Milingo.

There is no need to bash anyone.

JMJ+ Christ be with all of you and may the Immaculata, our Blessed Mother intercede.

- R. Anthony Solis, MJ,MI, MC

Published by: Anita
USA 09/20/2006 11:11 PM EST

I tend to agree with John from Madison, concerning Milingo's days as an exorcist. He most probably did let his guard down and is possessed by some of the evil spirits he expelled from others. He has made a mockery of his priestly vows. But, God will NOT be mocked. He will have the last word.

Published by: Mel
Plattsburgh NY 09/20/2006 08:56 PM EST

Pardon the error I just made re: Fr Congar's book.
It is entitled: "I Believe in the Holy Spirit". The book I erroneously mentioned,
"Theology of the Holy
Spirit" is a critique
of his work by Elizabeth
Groppe, also quite worth while reading.

Published by: Mel
Plattsburgh NY 09/20/2006 08:49 PM EST

All this talk of the
Order of Preachers, the Dominicans ,just
prompted me to 'dust off' my copy
of French Dominican theologian Father Yves Congar OP's book: "Theology of the
Holy Spirit", a most inspired work. The
recent, former Master
General of the Dominican
order, Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, is another
very inspired preacher &
author. If we had more
priests like him, I doubt
we'd have crises such as this one.

Published by: Mary Catherine Doyle RSM
Philadelphia PA 09/20/2006 07:14 PM EST

Speaking of Dominicans,
I once had the privilege
of attending a brillant lecture given by Father Edward Schillebeeckx, OP. He is a prolific author & has written a great deal about celibacy & the
priesthood. As he is one of the great thinkers of the Second Vatican Council era,
I highly recommend his works. As always,
The Holy Spirit will guide the Church in it's
decision-making process
regarding clerical celibacy.

Published by: Bob
Cudahy, Wisconsin 09/20/2006 05:36 PM EST

Way to go Mel! I'm just
wondering, based on your citation of St Thomas
Aquinas' Summa Theologica, is Plattsburgh NY a "bastion
of moral and theological relativism" like San Francisco is? Who even knew that Thomas Aquinas ever "weighed in" on the issue. Thanks for the
history lesson!

Published by: Mel
Plattsburgh NY 09/20/2006 04:37 PM EST

The history of the "discipline" of priestly celibacy in the Latin rite Church is a complex one, with it's origins
dating dating back to the
Second Lateran Council in 1139. No finer mind than Dominican, St. Thomas Aquinas(Summa Theologica II-IIa, 88, 11) had provided stubborn oppostition to those who saw celibacy rulings as part of "Divine Law". Thomas
contended that the celibacy requirement for clergy was merely Church law that could be reversed at any time by papal or conciliar authority. Though the Latin rite today still practices the "discipline"
of priestly celibacy, most Eastern rites allow
married men to be ordained, as they have for centuries. Someone, please correct me if I'm
wrong, but I believe that
married Eastern rite clergy are still quite rare in the US, but they are, as George mentioned, permitted in Canada, as they have been for many years. Even within the Latin rite, as George aptly pointed out, the Church has made exceptions for numerous converted married clergy
(former Episcopal, Anglican & I believe Lutheran as well) to become ordained. This is known as a "Pastoral provision" & it clearly
is demonstrative of the fact that clecial celibacy is a Latin-rite
"discipline" and NOT
Church doctrine. Doctrines are teachings that can never be reversed. On the other hand, "disciplines" refer to those practices (such as not eating meat
on Fridays) that can be changed over time as the Chuch sees fit. I hope this helps clarify the
issue at hand.

Published by: George
San Francisco CA 09/20/2006 03:13 PM EST

Thank you for your kind words, Katrina. No need
to 'apologize' for Charles, as I accept his words with fraternal charity.
It is my deep love for
Holy Mother, the Church & her children, that compels me to study & pray daily.
+Our Lady of Good Counsel, pray for us

Published by: George
San Francisco CA 09/20/2006 02:57 PM EST

Thank you to Guy & Charles both. It was actually in a Church History course, taught
by a Jesuit at Loyola University of Chicago,
where I learned of the married Eastern -rite clergy from abroad,
who were prohibited by
the American church hierarchy from coming to the US to minister to immigrant communities who were faithful to various rites (ie Melkite, Ukranian-Catholic, Maronite, etc).
In any case, they were welcomed by the Canadian
bishops. Charles, you
say that: "San Francisco is the bastion of moral & theological relativism"
I find it curious then,
that the Holy Father chose our former Archbishop, Cardinal Levada, to fill the post
that the Pope himself
previously occupied. When it comes to terms
like 'liberal', 'conservative' & 'orthodox', I personally do not apply them to my Catholic faith, rather, I simply strive to imitate Christ,
with the intercession of the Blessed Mother.
I should close by mentioning my enormous respect for not only the
Dominicans, but the Franciscans, Jesuits,
Sacred Heart Fathers(SCJ's) & Maryknoll Fathers. By the way,
in addition to being an
avid CNA reader, I also
enjoy "First Things' &
"Commonweal"
+May our Lord guide us all on our journey's of faith & bring much needed peace to the world. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Published by: Margit Coffman
Germany 09/20/2006 01:25 PM EST

Mr. Madison, as you rightly said Archbischop Milingo might have come under the demonic power himself. I was present at several of his exorcism masses in Italy several years ago where he specifically asked for prayers for him because he sensed/knew (?) that one day the devil (in retialiation) would hold so much sway over him that he would be the cause of a tremendous scandel in the church!!! Well, this might just be it. But we never know, so let's just pray for him!

Published by: John
Madison 09/20/2006 09:52 AM EST

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that at one time Archbishop Milingo was very active as an exorcist, even conducting exorcisms in auditoriums for the benefit of several possessed persons at once. I wonder if he had let his guard down and he himself was negatively charged with whatever demons he had encountered in his exorcisms. Maybe he himself came under demonic influence.

Published by: Katrina
Millburn,NJ, USA 09/20/2006 09:38 AM EST

My dear brother Angelo,

I hope everything is well. If I may ask, by the "faithful French Archbishop of impeccable reputation and accomplishments" do you refer to Archbishop Lefebvre, who was excommunicated for consecrating new bishops without the Pope's permission? If so,I am writing to object to your implication in your comment that the Church has not been fair in Her recent actions of discipline towards Her shepherds. In the case of Archbishop Lefebvre, it was direct disobedience of the Pope, to whom the Archbishop has sworn obedience to, that resulted in his exocommunication. Both Archbishops, I feel, have been disciplined fairly. :) Yet, may I add also that the future has hope that the excommunication of SSPX and on Archbishop Lefebvre may be lifted: after all, Pope Benedict XVI is working on reconciliation with them! Do not give up hope and let us pray for reconciliation!

My dear brother, George from San Franscisco: On behalf of sincere Catholics everywhere, please excuse my brother Charles for seeming a harsh in his first paragraph, and know that he loves you and wrote all out of concern of your happiness. Yet, if I may say, I plea that you do take his suggestion seriously and study a little each day. You are missing out a lot of great, beautiful things! The Truth is radiant!

God bless everyone! :)

Published by: Jason
Austin, TX 09/20/2006 09:34 AM EST

AMEN Charles!

Published by: Ross Opayinka
United Kingdom 09/20/2006 08:50 AM EST

I think Archbishop Milingo was not treated with Human dignity at the early stage of the matter which I think contributed to what he is now doing after his retirement. I think it is good for the Roman Catholic Church to have the same standard for everybody. I doubt very much if this is so in the Roman Catholic Church.

Published by: Craig
Wisconsins, USA 09/20/2006 08:46 AM EST

All Catholic priests are married. Their bride is simply the Church rather than a single woman. To love the Church means to poor oneself out for them totally as Jesus did. They give themselves totally to the Church. Where is there room for another bride?

Published by: Guy Di Spigno
Chicago, Illinois 09/20/2006 04:01 AM EST

Charles in Washington, all your notes accuse those you do not agree with as not having a proper education. Can you read english? Geroge from San Francisco presented a reality regarding the fact that married Episcopalian and other clergy after their profession of faith to the Holy See are given faculties in some dioceses with the permission of Rome. This has nothing to do with the heresy of Milingo which clearly Geroge did NOT endorse. How about reading the scripture you claim to be be so well educated on and stop judging your fellow Catholics. If you have to resort to name calling and polemics than you are not as well educated as you claim and deserve our prayers and suggest you may seek out some of the Dominicans you beleive can help George from San Francisco for spiritual and emotional guidance.

Published by: Charles Wadlow
Kirkland, WA 09/19/2006 04:14 PM EST

George in San Francisco, please take a Catechism class and then take a Church history course.

If only you studied before you wrote you could answer your own question. Your consistent liberal views reveals a lack of education about what our church stands for and the hiarchy of values the church teaches. You throw in a lot of your own feelings, which has zero authority and cannot be back by Scripture or Sacred Tradition.

Conjecture is not authoritative.

The more educated you become and the more you let the Word, which IS Jesus Christ transform you the less morally and theologically relativistic you will be. You will no longer be ruled by conjecture and emotions, but rather ruled by Christ in your heart.

Orthodoxy which means "correct teaching" is the preeminant way all Catholics should strive to be which will bring us to become Holy. When you are an orthodox Catholic you will cease to be conservative or liberal, but rather you will be a pure Catholic where you choose Christ always and you fully understand who he was and is for us.

Unfortunately, San Francisco is the bastion of moral and theological relativism. Find a good orthodox priest for mentoring. Dominicans are always a good bet.

I will pray for you.

Published by: Angelo Panzica
Long Island, NY 09/19/2006 02:31 PM EST

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo who is associated with the preacher Sun Myung Moon, head of the Unification Movement, and who married a woman selected for him by Moon, is threatened with a mere slap on the wrist. Milingo, moreover, is an advocate for married priests who are in the Unification Movement. And here a double standard is in place: Milingo is theatened with suspension, while a faithful French Archbishop of impeccable reputation and accomplishments & former Superior General of the Holy Ghost Fathers was excommunicated. Go figure!

Published by: phil floersh
tucson/az/usa 09/19/2006 01:01 PM EST

There is nothing more ridiculous than this African promoting married clergy...he must have lost his powers of reasoning.

Published by: George
San Francisco CA 09/19/2006 12:09 PM EST

While I don't agree with
Archbishop Milingo's tactics, I've always found it 'interesting' that married Episcopalian/Anglican clergy who become Roman
Catholic priests are warmly welcomed with their wives & children.
That does send a "mixed
message" to our celibate clergy. Another interesting historical fact, is that married
Eastern-rite clergy from abroad (Melkite, Ukranian-Catholic, etc) were not permitted by American Latin-rite bishops to come to the US, presumably to "avoid confusion" to the faithful; so, they went to Canada instead!

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