Laicized priests are still considered priests in the Catholic Church. He is still a priest, however. can hear Confessions. Re-post: Can We Receive Holy Communion Twice on Christmas Day? Here’s an important point to keep in mind: when Bishop X says that Father Y may not say Mass in Bishop X’s diocese, the bishop is not suggesting in any way that Father is losing his ability, as an ordained priest, to validly offer the Eucharistic sacrifice. Here’s my question: can’t an ordained priest always say Mass if he wants to? We Catholics all understand that sometimes a priest says a public, scheduled Mass, with a congregation composed of anybody who chooses to attend; and sometimes a priest says what is commonly referred to as a “private Mass,” either by himself, or for a family or a particular group. In a statement Aug. 6, the priest said that "in a state of emergency, even laicized or 'former' priests can, and perhaps even are morally … That priest would be acting in blatant disregard of the diocesan bishop’s authority and responsibility to oversee the spiritual welfare of his flock—a serious charge indeed! Among other things, they wanted a priest who’s not from our diocese, who has a reputation for being a mystic of some sort, to visit and say a special private Mass for their group in the parish where most of them belong. It attracted quite a lot of attention at the time because in this case, one bishop was issuing a command to another bishop, something that under normal circumstances is simply not done! As was discussed in “Can a Priest Ever Return to the Lay State?” ordination brings with it an ontological change in the person, which cannot be undone—a priest forever remains a priest. It’s entirely possible that a Catholic may not like his bishop, and/or may personally be convinced that the bishop’s decision in such a case shows incomplete understanding of the real situation—and that may be true! In this situation, however, Archbishop Martini was exercising his authority within the territory of his archdiocese, which he had not only the right, but the responsibility to do. Here’s an important point to keep in mind: when Bishop X says that Father Y may not say Mass in Bishop X’s diocese, the bishop is not suggesting in any way that Father is losing his ability, as an ordained priest, to validly offer the Eucharistic sacrifice. A: Ed’s question highlights an important distinction that must be made, between the sacramental power of an ordained cleric to bring about a spiritual effect (in this case, to celebrate a valid Mass), and the authority of a diocesan bishop to regulate worship and the administration of the sacraments in his diocese. In other words, he can be laicized. IN a life or death situation a Priest who is laicized, etc. The Liturgical Year Reminds Us of What is Truly Important. 6) He can’t teach theology or any closely related discipline (e.g., religious studies, history of theology) in a non-Catholic university. This is a very “protestant” mentality that unfortunately has become all too common in some Catholic circles here in the U.S. A Priest is a Priest for life. According to the Canon Law of the Catholic Church, a priest is a priest for life. The people must also realize that if they fail to follow the bishop’s order and attend such a forbidden Mass in their diocese, they are committing a direct act of disobedience. But just as former presidents Obama and Bush are not able to sign legislation and issue pardons, laicized priests are not able to continue offering Mass or hearing confession. It attracted quite a lot of attention at the time because in this case, one bishop was issuing a command to another bishop, something that under normal circumstances is simply not done! This is the reasoning behind canon 906, which states that a priest is actually not supposed to celebrate Mass without at least one other person being present, unless there is a good reason for doing so. So the next question is, can the bishop do that? the sacrament of Holy Orders, like the other two, confers an indelible spiritual character and cannot be repeated or conferred temporarily." Can a laicized priest say Mass? But this does not give a Catholic the right to second-guess his bishop and do as he pleases. If he truly is a bona fide mystic, he may actually be an extremely holy man! But the number of priests laicized is "in the dozens, rather than the hundreds or thousands" Allen said. But in theory, if a laicized priest were to say Mass, it would be a valid Mass, since he never loses the ability to celebrate the Eucharist. Now it’s true that the priest whom Ed describes does not seem to fit either of these categories, as he has neither been laicized nor suspended. Please check the Archives first–it’s likely your question was already addressed. That priest will always have the ability to celebrate Mass; he just can’t celebrate it in this particular diocese. 4 Likes. None of the content of this website may be reproduced, either in whole or in part, without the advance written permission of the author. Penance. Technically, therefore, it makes no difference if the mystic-priest wants to enter the diocese and say a widely publicized Mass with a huge congregation, or an unannounced Mass with a few people from a prayer-group. Why Would a Bishop Refuse to Ordain a Seminarian? He cannot celebrate Mass or any other sacrament – not even privately. forbade the African Archbishop Milingo from holding “healing Masses” in the Milan Archdiocese, Archbishop Milingo was subsequently excommunicated. But in theory, if a laicized priest were to say Mass, it would be a valid Mass, since he never loses the ability to celebrate the Eucharist. Canon Law # 1582 "As in the case of Baptism and Confirmation this share in Christ's office is granted once for all. Perhaps they are promoting some theological ideas which are of questionable orthodoxy; or maybe they are engaging in devotional activities which in some way are imprudent and/or disrupting general harmony among the faithful-there are any number of possible problems. Now it’s true that the priest whom Ed describes does not seem to fit either of these categories, as he has neither been laicized nor suspended. Cathy Caridi, J.C.L., is an American canon lawyer who practices law and teaches in Rome. The bishop knows full well that this would be impossible! Ed correctly indicates in his question that once a man has been ordained a priest, he and he alone has the power to validly celebrate the Eucharist, consecrating the bread and wine which become, by the priest’s action, the Body and Blood of Christ (c. 900.1). It’s just a hypothetical situation, it could apply to anything they’re voluntarily laicized for. He is no longer allowed to say Mass, hear confessions and do other things reserved for priests only. priest is requesting anyway, there is usually little fear that he will violate this restriction. Can remeber the Jansenist and guilt that drove guys to arrange this – it got to be ridiculous. He was concerned about what was really happening during the “healing ceremonies” which accompanied Archbishop Milingo’s Masses, and rightly wanted to protect the Catholics under his care from an event of questionable spiritual orthodoxy. Confession can still be done by a laicized priest in an emergency situation. We Catholics all understand that sometimes a priest says a public, scheduled Mass, with a congregation composed of anybody who chooses to attend; and sometimes a priest says what is commonly referred to as a “private Mass,” either by himself, or for a family or a particular group. A: Ed’s question highlights an important distinction that must be made, between the sacramental power of an ordained cleric to bring about a spiritual effect (in this case, to celebrate a valid Mass), and the authority of a diocesan bishop to regulate worship and the administration of the sacraments in his diocese. He was concerned about what was really happening during the “healing ceremonies” which accompanied Archbishop Milingo’s Masses, and rightly wanted to protect the Catholics under his care from an event of questionable spiritual orthodoxy. In such cases, the laicized priest always retains the ability to say a valid Mass—but he is not permitted by Church authorities to do so. Design by Perceptions Studio. According to Catholic teaching, ordination, like baptism, is indelible and cannot be reversed. Catholic Exchange is a project of Sophia Institute Press. A priest who has been laicized or suspended or excommunicated is not to say Mass, but the Mass, if still said, is considered valid. After McCarrick was laicized, the Church will no longer have responsibility to provide him with housing, medical care, or any other financial benefits. Similarly, we saw in the October 18, 2007 column that if a priest who has been suspended, and thereby prohibited from celebrating Mass, were to do so anyway, it would be a valid Mass! He explained that initially he took Communion hosts he had earlier "consecrated in private Masses" to different homes. This is the reasoning behind canon 906, which states that a priest is actually not supposed to celebrate Mass without at least one other person being present, unless there is a good reason for doing so. A. But this sort of situation is hardly the norm! The action may be voluntarily requested or it … Regardless, he wants to enter another diocese and celebrate Mass there. If a laicized man celebrates a Mass, hears a confession, etc., the Mass and confession are valid; unlawful, illicit, but valid. In such cases, the laicized priest always retains the ability to say a valid Mass—but he is not permitted by Church authorities to do so. All such activities were prohibited to laicized priests in the past, mostly without exception. A priest who has been laicized or suspended or excommunicated is not to say Mass, but the Mass, if said, is considered valid. He also raises a good question about public versus private Masses. Part II” that if a priest who has been suspended, and thereby prohibited from celebrating Mass, were to do so anyway, it would be a valid Mass! Once a priest is laicized, he may no longer exercise any priestly ministry. Is a laicized priest still a priest? So ho He will not be permitted to celebrate Mass … In the same post, however, we also saw that priests can, under certain circumstances, be allowed to leave the clerical state and live in the world as laymen again. c. 383.1), to try to “tone it down,” as Ed put it. But in either case, since his superiors had forbade him to say Mass at all, it would be illicit, or illegal. The actual reason for the bishop’s concern doesn’t really matter. A priest who is suspended is still on the loose; a laicized may still be a threat to young people. The Virus and the Bishops: Twisting a Vatican Document to Further an Agenda. If the priest were to disobey and offer the Mass there anyway, it would of course be a valid Mass; but it would certainly be illicit. So if the bishop can prohibit such a priest from saying Mass in a very public setting, like a Sunday Mass in a large parish, he is equally able to prohibit him from saying Mass for a small group. But this does not give a Catholic the right to second-guess his bishop and do as he pleases. Q: Some women in our diocese have started a prayer-group, and somehow they got on the wrong side of the bishop, who has told them privately to tone it down. Time has vindicated Archbishop Martini, as Archbishop Milingo was subsequently excommunicated by the Vatican for his bizarre and decidedly un-Catholic statements and actions-and he remains under excommunication to this day. The difference between Mass and confession, why the former would happen but the latter would not, is that for a confession to be valid, a … That priest would be acting in blatant disregard of the diocesan bishop’s authority and responsibility to oversee the spiritual welfare of his flock — a serious charge indeed! In the same column, however, we also saw that priests can, under certain circumstances, be allowed to leave the clerical state and live in the world as laymen again. Advertise on Catholic Exchange Why is Google hiding the posts on this website in its search results? Rather, he is banning that particular priest from holding a liturgical celebration in his territory, and at which the Catholic faithful of the bishop’s diocese would be present. But this distinction actually has no basis in either theology or canon law, for the Eucharistic celebration is by its very nature a public act of worship by the Church. Note also that when a bishop issues such a directive, it is ordinarily made not only to the priest himself, but is openly addressed to the faithful of the diocese as well. But in either case, since his superiors had forbade him to say Mass at all, it would be illicit, or illegal. Regardless, he wants to enter another diocese and celebrate Mass there. Let’s take a look at each of these issues in turn. Time has vindicated Archbishop Martini, as Archbishop Milingo was subsequently excommunicated by the Vatican for his bizarre and decidedly un-Catholic statements and actions—and he remains under excommunication to this day. Rather, he is banning that particular priest from holding a liturgical celebration in his territory, and at which the Catholic faithful of the bishop’s diocese would be present. Click here for more information. A laicized priest is no longer referred to as “Father,” or by any other honorary title given to clerics. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. What Can St. James Teach Us About Redemptive Suffering? Will the Woman Who Attacked the Pope be Punished? In this situation, however, Archbishop Martini was exercising his authority within the territory of his archdiocese, which he had not only the right, but the responsibility to do. Q: Some women in our diocese have started a prayer-group, and somehow they got on the wrong side of the bishop, who has told them privately to tone it down. It’s entirely possible that a Catholic may not like his bishop, and/or may personally be convinced that the bishop’s decision in such a case shows incomplete understanding of the real situation-and that may be true! This is a very “protestant” mentality that unfortunately has become all too common in some Catholic circles here in the U.S. 8) He can’t serve as a teacher in a parochial school unless he gets the bishop’s permission. But in theory, if a laicized priest were to say Mass, it would be a valid Mass, since he never loses the ability to celebrate the Eucharist. Here’s my question: can’t an ordained priest always say Mass if he wants to? canonlawmadeeasy@yahoo.com So if the bishop can prohibit such a priest from saying Mass in a very public setting, like a Sunday Mass in a large parish, he is equally able to prohibit him from saying Mass for a small group. c. 383.1), to try to “tone it down,” as Ed put it. How can a bishop say that a priest cannot say Mass, especially since it would have been a private Mass anyway? If an excommunicated priests says Mass is it still valid.
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