Posted on 11/14/2006 11:55:28 AM PST by NYer
WASHINGTON -- Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo, excommunicated by the Roman Catholic Church for having consecrated four married priests as bishops, continues to make the Vatican nervous.
In advance of an expected visit by the Archbishop to his homeland, Zambia’s Catholic Episcopal Conference has issued a stern warning, reminding Catholics of his excommunication, and advising them “to be aware that if he holds religious functions, then those ceremonies will be done outside the Catholic Church. Therefore they are not Catholic services.”
The warnings demonstrate serious Vatican concern that the charismatic Zambian prelate, healer and exorcist might lead a breakaway congregation in Africa offering a married priesthood and drawing on traditional African religious practices, including healing and the casting out of demons. Such a development, some Vatican officials worry, could weaken the Catholic Church in Africa, which has in recent years witnessed dramatic growth.
Milingo, 76, first attracted international attention and controversy in the 1980’s for his faith healing and exorcisms, which were never formally approved by the Church.
He went on to become a supporter of Reverend Sun Myung Moon and the Unification Church, and consented to Rev. Moon’s arrangement of his 2001 marriage to South Korean acupuncturist Maria Sung.
In a statement issued November 12, Milingo responded with a mocking rebuke to the Vatican warning: “The Episcopal Conference of the Married Priests Now! Prelature wishes to thank the Zambian Episcopal Conference for alerting the people of Zambia to expect the arrival of the Emeritus Metropolitan Archbishop of Lusaka. It is so wonderful that you have advertised his missionary activities and his healing ministry.”
He went on the dismiss his excommunication as “a tool to do evil and to inflict pain,” and called for the word “to be cancelled from ecclesial language.”
In his statement Milingo discounted Vatican fears of a schismatic movement. He insists that he is not calling for a change in Catholic doctrine, but is “only pleading for optional celibacy.” Says Milingo, “We have only one goal and that is to restore the married priesthood of the Holy Scriptures to our Church. Jesus chose married priests first.
Milingo is calling for the return of some 150,000 married priests to active ministry, as a way to address the worldwide shortage of priests, and to bring “healing” and “reconciliation” within the Church
In a November 3 letter to the pope, Milingo's group, Married Priests Now!, announced it had formed “a Roman Catholic personal prelature in communion with your holiness and is part of the Roman Catholic Church. We are Roman Catholic bishops and do not want to fracture the communion of the church."
Personal prelatures are largely secular organizations whose members take no vows and live normal, everyday lives. Religious orders are religious organizations whose members take vows and lead lives in accordance with their specific organization.
Opus Dei, recognized by Pope John Paul II, is the first and only personal prelature. However a similar recognition may be granted by Benedict XVI to the traditionalist followers of Marcel Lefebvre.
Pope Benedict XVI calls meeting with top Vatican officials to discuss married priests
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No arrogance here. /sarc
Well, we've faced schism before. I'd rather the Church be flayed than conform to the world to please this heretic.
Milingo's group, Married Priests Now!, announced it had formed “a Roman Catholic personal prelature in communion with your holiness and is part of the Roman Catholic Church. We are Roman Catholic bishops and do not want to fracture the communion of the church."
They might think about re-naming themselves. Schizophrenia In Action! is my suggestion.
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LOL! Works for me.
Excellent point!
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