CHAERDING, Austria, June 29 (Agence France-Presse) — A self-styled bishop held a ceremony here today to ordain seven women as priests. Roman Catholic officials view the rite as invalid and are threatening to excommunicate the participants. Posted on 06/30/2002 5:49:52 PM PDT by ELS
CHAERDING, Austria, June 29 (Agence France-Presse) — A self-styled bishop held a ceremony here today to ordain seven women as priests. Roman Catholic officials view the rite as invalid and are threatening to excommunicate the participants.
The ceremony was witnessed by 300 guests.
"If this ordination does not effectively conform to the laws of the church, it goes against tradition and not against faith," said Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, a former nun and the women's spokeswoman.
The ceremony was performed by Romulo Braschi, an Argentine former Catholic priest who calls himself a bishop and a specialist in karma. His 13,000-member Jesus Rey Church is not recognized by the Vatican. He said today, "The Vatican is used to treating as sects anyone who differs with its dogma."
-Saint Isidore
But when I look at it critically it becomes very clear that these "ordinations" are to true Holy Orders what Black Masses are to the Most Blessed Sacrament.
If that wasn't a rhetorical question, perhaps you should ask the NYT. But, I doubt they will give you a truthful answer. I suppose they see it as another opportunity to kick the Caholic Church while it's down and to show how "uncivilized" and "retro" it is.
Well, I agree with that, but it's really casting a wide net. The article should be titled, "Seven Women Leave Catholic Church and Get Ordained in New Denomination."
Actually, I think it important to realize how deadly is such Nonsense.
10-Jul-2002 -- Vatican Information Service DECLARATION ON PRIESTLY ORDINATION OF CATHOLIC WOMENVATICAN CITY, JUL 10, 2002 (VIS) - Following is a declaration by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which warns seven Catholic women who have received priestly ordination from the hands of the founder of a schismatic community. They are required to comply with certain conditions before July 22 if they do not wish to incur excommunication. The declaration (monitum) is dated today and is signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., prefect and secretary of the dicastery. "On June 29, 2002, Romulo Antonio Braschi, the founder of a schismatic community, attempted to confer priestly ordination on the following Catholic women: Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, Adelinde Theresia Roitinger, Gisela Forster, Iris Müller, Ida Raming, Pia Brunner and Angela White. "In order to give direction to the consciences of the Catholic faithful and dispel any doubts which may have arisen, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wishes to recall the teaching of the Apostolic Letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis of Pope John Paul II, which states that 'the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful' (n. 4). For this reason, the above-mentioned 'priestly ordination' constitutes the simulation of a sacrament and is thus invalid and null, as well as constituting a grave offense to the divine constitution of the Church. Furthermore, because the 'ordaining' Bishop belongs to a schismatic community, it is also a serious attack on the unity of the Church. Such an action is an affront to the dignity of women, whose specific role in the Church and society is distinctive and irreplaceable. "The present Declaration, recalling the preceding statements of the Bishop of Linz and the Episcopal Conference of Austria and in accordance with canon 1347 § 1 of the CIC, gives formal warning to the above-mentioned women that they will incur excommunication reserved to the Holy See if, by July 22, 2002, they do not (1) acknowledge the nullity of the 'orders' they have received from a schismatic Bishop in contradiction to the definitive doctrine of the Church and (2) state their repentance and ask forgiveness for the scandal caused to the faithful." |
Would that the Vatican were uniformly diligent in requiring schismatics to heel or risk excommunication.
Their close attention in this regard (however absolutely justified and correct) stands in stark contrast to their rank silence on other equally scandalous matters of faith and morals. I think this only serves to galvanize the revolution by appearing to heap abuse only upon women ... the key group (along with homosexuals) to revolution within.
1577 "Only a baptized man (vir) validly receives sacred ordination."[66] The Lord Jesus chose men (viri) to form the college of the twelve apostles, and the apostles did the same when they chose collaborators to succeed them in their ministry.[67] The college of bishops, with whom the priests are united in the priesthood, makes the college of the twelve an ever-present and ever-active reality until Christ's return. The Church recognizes herself to be bound by this choice made by the Lord himself. For this reason the ordination of women is not possible.[68]
1578 No one has a right to receive the sacrament of Holy Orders. Indeed no one claims this office for himself; he is called to it by God.[69] Anyone who thinks he recognizes the signs of God's call to the ordained ministry must humbly submit his desire to the authority of the Church, who has the responsibility and right to call someone to receive orders. Like every grace this sacrament can be received only as an unmerited gift.
1579 All the ordained ministers of the Latin Church, with the exception of permanent deacons, are normally chosen from among men of faith who live a celibate life and who intend to remain celibate "for the sake of the kingdom of heaven."[70] Called to consecrate themselves with undivided heart to the Lord and to "the affairs of the Lord,"[71] they give themselves entirely to God and to men. Celibacy is a sign of this new life to the service of which the Church's minister is consecrated; accepted with a joyous heart celibacy radiantly proclaims the Reign of God.[72]
1580 In the Eastern Churches a different discipline has been in force for many centuries: while bishops are chosen solely from among celibates, married men can be ordained as deacons and priests. This practice has long been considered legitimate; these priests exercise a fruitful ministry within their communities.[73] Moreover, priestly celibacy is held in great honor in the Eastern Churches and many priests have freely chosen it for the sake of the Kingdom of God. In the East as in the West a man who has already received the sacrament of Holy Orders can no longer marry.
Excommunicate the lot of them.
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