Photo taken at the National Press Club July 2006
...for any official action on Bishop Milingo, you will have to wait a bit longer. Bishop Lungu says that the Church is "aggrieved" at Milingo's actions and statements.
The Bishop's comments:
"We were proud of him because he is a child of Chipata Diocese. We were proud of his gifts, he was a model of our priesthood in terms of loving the Church. He used to strengthen us by his service to the Church, but what has prompted him to do what he did, to say what he said, what message is he going to give to us young ones?" Bishop Lungu asked. He urged Christians to pray for Archbishop Milingo for what he had done.
"To us our conclusion is to put him in prayers. We are not putting him in the hands of Maria Sung, but in the hands of Mary the mother of the Saviour. It's no laughing matter, he needs prayers, he is our son, the son of this diocese," he said.
Archbishop Milingo, whose 2001 marriage to a Korean acupuncturist caused a series of controversial actions, announced on July 12 in Washington that he wanted to change the Roman Catholic discipline on celibacy and reconcile an estimated 150,000 married priests worldwide with the Church to allow them to resume priestly ministry.
Bishop Lungu added that Catholic priests in Chipata Diocese would try to be faithful to their vow of celibacy.
"On behalf of my fellow Catholic clergy in this diocese, I would like to assure the Catholic community in Eastern Province, the Catholic community in the world, Christians from other churches and sympathisers that we the clergy in this diocese shall strive to remain faithful to our vow of celibacy, vow of chastity until death," he said.
Bishop Lungu said although it was difficult for priests to remain unmarried because they were also human beings, they should strive to maintain their vow of celibacy.
Is it much of a concern- priests leaving the priesthood to marry? I think it is.
13 comments:
I think that its insidious that the Church is allowing him to use his status as a Bishop to spout these heresies.
The strength of the Church has always come from men and women sacrificing, not seeking more and more "comfort" in their lives.
Mary said "for any official action on Bishop Milingo, you will have to wait a bit longer. "
That's entirely true. This was not an official action; it was a statement by the Chipata Diocese. The Vatican is still investigating and thus we are still waiting for _official action_!
The last official word from the Vatican was in mid-July.
(see, for example, http://amywelborn.typepad.com/openbook/2006/07/the_vatican_on_.html)
Not sure where Milingo is now, but rumor has it he is in the U.S.
"Is it much of a concern- priests leaving the priesthood to marry? I think it is."
In the case of Boston, those priest were both known to be Orthodox. Milingo is on the extreme, extreme left, so it is interesting that your post covers priest on both ends of the spectrum.
"Is it much of a concern- priests leaving the priesthood to marry? I think it is."
In the case of Boston, those priest were both known to be Orthodox. Milingo is on the extreme, extreme left, so it is interesting that your post covers priest on both ends of the spectrum.
I think this is why the Diocese issued a statement. It looked more like a plea for priests to maintain their vow of celibacy rather than any "action" against Milingo (as described in your post).
As far as I know, there has been no official action taken by the Vatican and that they are currently investigating (according to the last Vatican news statement).
Bishop Lungu said although it was difficult for priests to remain unmarried because they were also human beings, they should strive to maintain their vow of celibacy.
"I know some of you don't believe that one can be alone without a wife or a husband."
This is ridiculous. And, what "mission" are the priests attempting to accomplish? This "bishop" wasn't even "married" in a Catholic ceremony, if the sacraments of the Church don't matter, why would a priestly mission be of consequence.
PGR
Over at that other blog the points about St Peter are irrelevant. St Peter had a wife and a mother in law long before he met Jesus and Jesus hadn't really set up the celibate priesthood yet, leaving that to future decision of the Rock to loose and bind , etc etc.
A former monk friend of mine revealed to me how the homosexuals and the heterosexuals who broke their vows always had a strong alliance and they checkmated themselves into silence.
So when somebody turns to raping children the cone of silence is already in place.
I wonder if priests are allowed to marry at some time in the future, then will it be restricted to marrying women?
" his status as a Bishop"
Are you referrng to Milingo? He's a former bishop.
Milingo is a retired Bishop but he still holds the title of Bishop. He has not been "demoted" in any way.
" He has not been "demoted" in any way."
That's because Bishops can't be "demoted". Just like priests (even excommunicated ones, or ones who leave the church) can't be "unordained" neither can bishops become un-bishops.
Even the excommunicated SSPX bishops were still bishops.
"Milingo is a retired Bishop but he still holds the title of Bishop. He has not been "demoted" in any way."
Why would he be?
Under canon law, married priests must resign from active ministry, but cannot be unordained.
You forgot to note that Milingo has recently excommunicated.
http://www.americanpapist.com/2006/09/milingo-excommunicates-himself-over.html
Where is Milingo ? Is it over with the church ?
He was an exorcist. Anybody familiar with the attacks that exorcist receive should not be atounded ny his lapse. John Paul resored him, and we should continue to pray for him.
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