Melbourne, Australia, Sep 25, 2013 / 01:06 am
Pope Francis has ordered the excommunication of a Catholic priest in Australia who illicitly said Mass, taught that women should be ordained priests and advocated for "gay marriage."
An Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman said the Pope had ordered the excommunication of Father Greg Reynolds, who has also been dismissed from the clerical state, the Australian Associated Press reports.
Australian newspaper The Age reported that Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said the excommunication was due to the priest's public celebration of Mass without faculties to do so, and his preaching contrary to the teachings of the Church.
The letter announcing the penalty, written in Latin, was dated May 31.