Excommunicated priest formally notified of laicization

January 10, 2013

Roy Bourgeois, the former priest who was excommunicated in 2008 and dismissed from the Maryknoll society last year, has been formally notified of his laicization.

Bourgeois received a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, relayed through his former Maryknoll superiors, notifying him of his dismissal from the society and from the priesthood. The Vatican asks Bourgeois to sign the letter, acknowledging receipt—which he says he will refuse to do.

Bourgeois was excommunicated in 2008 after he participated in a ceremony in which women claimed ordination. He had repeatedly refused to reconsider his stand, and had remained a public advocate of women’s ordination.

 

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Further information:

• Bourgeois receives official Vatican letter dismissing him from priesthood (National Catholic Reporter)
• Excommunicated priest Roy Bourgeois is formally dismissed from Maryknoll order (CWN, 11/19/12)