|
Participation of the faithful in any celebrations by Milingo is unlawful
17th December 2009: The Catholic Church has officially dismissed Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo from the clerical state.
The Holy See said it has been obliged to impose upon Archbishop Milingo the “penalty of dismissal from the clerical state.”
The Church said it has been following for a number of years, “with great concern the difficulties caused by the regrettable conduct of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.”
 The Holy See made many attempts to bring Archbishop Milingo back into communion with the Catholic Church, including the consideration of suitable ways to enable him to exercise the episcopal ministry. “Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI were directly involved in those efforts and both Popes personally followed the case of Archbishop Milingo in a spirit of paternal solicitude,” the Holy See said.
The Church noted that Archbishop Milingo became irregular in 2001 as a result of his attempt to marry Mrs. Maria Sung, and incurred the medicinal penalty of suspension.
Thereafter, he headed certain groups calling for the abolition of clerical celibacy and gave numerous interviews to the media in open disobedience to the repeated interventions of the Holy See, creating serious upset and scandal among the faithful. Then, on 24 September 2006 in Washington, Archbishop Milingo ordained four bishops without pontifical mandate. This made him incur the penalty of excommunication 'latae sententiae' (canon 1382) which was declared by the Holy See on 26 September 2006 and is still in force today.
The Church said that “Sadly, Archbishop Milingo has shown no sign of the desired repentance with a view to returning to full communion with the Supreme Pontiff and the other members of the College of Bishops. Rather, he has persisted in the unlawful exercise of acts belonging to the episcopal office, committing new crimes against the unity of Holy Church. Specifically, in recent months Archbishop Milingo has proceeded to several other episcopal ordinations.
"The commission of these grave crimes, which has recently been established, is to be considered as proof of the persistent contumacy of Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo. The Holy See has therefore been obliged to impose upon him the further penalty of dismissal from the clerical state.”
According to canon 292 of the Code of Canon Law, the penalty of dismissal from the clerical state, now added to the grave penalty of excommunication, has the following effects. Archbishop Milingo has now lost the rights and duties attached to the clerical state, except for the obligation of celibacy. He is also prohibited from the exercise of any ministry, except as provided for by canon 976 of the Code of Canon Law in those cases involving danger of death. He has also lost all offices and functions and all delegated power, and is also prohibited from the use of clerical attire.
Consequently, the participation of the Catholic faithful in any future celebrations organised by Archbishop Milingo is to be considered unlawful.
By Stephen Ogongo
|
Immigration in UK
STRANIERIINITALIA.IT
