Vatican affirms removal of priest who flouted liturgical rules
September 26, 2012
The Vatican has confirmed the decision by Bishop Edward Braxton of Belleville, Illinois, to remove a priest from active ministry because he refused to follow the Church’s liturgical guidelines.
Acting on an appeal by Father William Rowe, who had readily acknowledged that he would habitually compose his own prayers for the Eucharistic liturgy, the Congregation for Clergy said that Bishop Braxton had not followed proper procedure in suspending the priest. But the Vatican decision upheld the bishop’s decision to remove Father Rowe’s faculties to administer the sacraments.
Father Rowe can apply to have his priestly faculties reinstated, either in Belleville or in another diocese, the Vatican said. But the ruling, signed by Cardinal Mauro Piacenzo, specifies that “this can only come about when you shall have acknowledged your error and formally promise to dispose yourself to adhere to the rites and rubrics of the sacred liturgy set down by the lawful ecclesiastical authorities."
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Further information:
- Church tribunal: Ad-libbing priest can celebrate Mass, but not in Belleville Diocese (Belleville News-Democrat)
- Vatican reverses priest's suspension (Post-Dispatch)
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Posted by: garedawg -
Sep. 27, 2012 1:13 AM ET USA
He'll probably start his own church, full of elderly hippies.
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Posted by: JimKcda -
Sep. 26, 2012 6:36 PM ET USA
Unfortunately, this old priest does not seem to understand the authority of the Bishops and the Pope. This is reminiscent of the '60's & 70's when many priests made up their own liturgy, discarded vestments and substituted “Kum-by-yah” and “Row your boat” for liturgical music. Thank God some Bishops exercise their authority, enforce Church Law and censure these mavericks! I pray that this priest admits his error, submits to his Bishop, is reinstated and returns to work for the Glory of God.
