Posted on 10/24/2007 7:19:47 AM PDT by Ebenezer
(English-language translation)
Representatives of the Catholic Church in Guatemala rejected the upcoming episcopal ordination of excommunicated priest Eduardo Aguirre by a religious denomination that is separated from the Vatican.
The bishops criticized the dissident priest's illicit use of Catholic rites.
The concern and anger over this schism could be felt among the Catholic hierarchs who convened a press conference to express their position. They condemned Eduardo Aguirre's ordination to bishop next Saturday in San Juan Comalapa, Chimaltenango, by members of the Brazilian Church not recognized by Rome.
Apostolic Nuncio Bruno Musaró, Guatemalan Bishops Conference President Álvaro Ramazzini, Metropolitan Archbishop Rodolfo Cardinal Quezada, and Bishop Gonzalo de Villa of the Diocese of Sololá-Chimaltenango — which San Juan Comalapa belongs to — insisted that Aguirre is not part of the Catholic Church, since he was excommunicated in October of last year. They argued that his movement has nothing to do with them and that the ordination is illicit.
"Aguirre's eventual ordination will not be licit and would imply canonical sanctions," Musaró stated.
Confusion Over the Use of Rites
The religious hierarchs criticized Aguirre for continuing to use rites and liturgies and to administer the sacraments of the Catholic Church when he is out of it, which may create confusion among the faithful.
"We lament his using terminology and doctrinal statements that are not correct, and the repercussions this may have worry us," Ramazzini said.
As Bishop of Sololá-Chimaltenango, De Villa explained that they are considering taking legal measures, because [Aguirre's] movement has usurped San Juan Comalapa Church, which has belonged to Catholics for 400 years.
He also asked the municipality's residents not to attend the ceremony so as not to legitimize a schismatic act.
"We in the Church have to pray a lot and ask that this does not occur," De Villa added.
In addition to Aguirre's case, they pointed out that Óscar Armando Díaz Duque, who was ordained a priest, claims having been designated a bishop by another movement not in communion with Rome, which they also condemned.
Parody
"This thing with Aguirre is a schism, a rupture from the Church, and, although he claims he is Catholic and acts as such, it does not cease to be a costume, a travesty," said Bishop Gonzalo de Villa.
"It's keeping the image of a Catholic without being one, and it's within the realm of a parody to play with Church matters for particular and publicity uses, and, I don't know if, sometimes, commercial ones," he said.
Only the Pope
"What we are interested in making clear is that our Roman, Catholic, and Apostolic Church is completely different from what Father Aguirre is doing," Cardinal Rodolfo Quezada Toruño stressed. He insisted that only the Pope may designate bishops, and, to make it clear, he showed the framed papal bull through which John Paul II named him a cardinal.
Guarantees
"[Aguirre] has separated from the Catholic Church, which we believe Jesus Christ founded, and founded his own. What guarantees do people have that this church is the one Jesus wants?" Nuncio Bruno Musaró asked. He affirmed that those who are part of the Brazilian Church may only be received back into the Catholic Church as laypersons if there are signs of conversion, and will review if the priests may be re-ordained.
Reaction: "According to Rome, It Is Not Licit, But Has Validity"
Excommunicated priest Eduardo Aguirre responded to the statements by the representatives of the Catholic Church. He acknowledged that, although his ordination is not licit to the Vatican, it is valid because it follows apostolic succession. He insisted that his movement is Catholic, even if it does not belong to Rome.
He considered that the sacraments that are administered within his movement are valid because, according to him, they are based on the Faith.
[Aguirre] insisted that his movement's position is to seek unity among all Christians and mankind. "From a genuinely Catholic position, we tell the Roman bishops and all the faithful that, to us, they are our brethren," he added.
Movement
In 2003, Aguirre founded the Saint Mary of the New Exodus movement, to whom members of Evangelical, Orthodox, and other denominations may belong. In addition, it allows married priests.
It has a seminary and a formation institute for laity. According to the movement, it consists of nine priests, one deacon, and close to 200,000 members.
The rebellious cleric was admonished several times for not respecting the norms of the Catholic Church, acting without the permission of the bishops of other dioceses, and administering sacraments without authorization. After several talks and not accepting Roman authority, he was excommunicated in October 2006.
ping
The Catholics should occupy their parish church and oust the schismatics.
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