Priest who 'ad libbed' liturgies is suspended from ministry
July 10, 2012
An Illinois priest who resigned as pastor because he refused to use the new English-language translation of the Mass has been suspended from ministry.
Father William Rowe, who acknowledged that he had been “improvising” the words of the Mass for years, has been notified by Bishop Edward Braxton of Belleville that his priestly faculties have been removed.
(An account of Father Rowe’s suspension in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch contains several crucial errors. See Phil Lawler’s City Gates post for a brief critique.)
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Further information:
- Improvising Illinois priest barred from pulpit (Post-Dispatch)
- Illinois priest fights for the right to ad-lib liturgies (CWN, 4/26)
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Posted by: AgnesDay -
Jul. 11, 2012 1:03 PM ET USA
I had hoped that Fr. Rowe would have chosen his priesthood over his ego on his own steam. Alas, how many of us do put our pride first? He is still a priest, and we should make a point of praying for priests in trouble.
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Posted by: unum -
Jul. 11, 2012 7:54 AM ET USA
I sincerely hope that my pastor, who has been "penciling in" gender neutral language in the Lectionary for years, reads this article. He preaches obedience to the Church, but his "actions speak so loudly I can't hear his words".
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Posted by: TheJournalist64 -
Jul. 10, 2012 5:48 PM ET USA
Hurrah. We need more of this--but we also need the option of public repentance and reinstatement when they come to their senses. Maybe after a year-long stint in an orthodox monastery.
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Posted by: normnuke -
Jul. 10, 2012 3:19 PM ET USA
Fr. Rowe apparently has an over-size ego. His flippant disregard for the solemnity of the Holy Mass and consequent loss of faculties will get him invited to dinner for a while. But then what?
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Posted by: dfp3234574 -
Jul. 10, 2012 1:46 PM ET USA
Bravo, Bishop Braxton!!
