Pope Excommunicates Poro-gay Marriage Priest

[Luigi]

http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/timstanley/100237450/pope-francis-excommunicates-pro-gay-marriage-priest-hes-not-the-liberal-the-media-thinks/

 

"From all of last week's headlines saying that the Pope wants to forget this nonsense about abortion and gays, you'd imagine that Germaine Greer had been elected to run the Catholic Church. Actually what the Pope was saying was that he wants the Church to talk more about what it's for than what it's against. But that doesn't mean it won't still be against those things that contradict its teachings and traditions.

Just ask Greg Reynolds of Melbourne – a priest who appears to have been both defrocked and excommunicated because of his radical views on women clergy and gay marriage. From Australia's The Age:

The excommunication document – written in Latin and giving no reason – was dated May 31, meaning it comes under the authority of Pope Francis who made headlines on Thursday calling for a less rule-obsessed church.

The document might give no explicit reason, but the reason is implicit and well understood: Reynolds has offended Mother Church with his politics. It's interesting to note that the former priest tells The Age that he "wants the same thing as the Pope" which is "to encourage reform and clear need for renewal in the church." I read from this that Reynolds has, like many liberals, misunderstood Francis' words. Structural reform is clearly necessary to prevent future horrors like the child abuse scandal, and renewal is something that Christians always desire. But Reynolds would throw out Catholic doctrine – something Francis would never do because he is, despite the best wishes of so many in the media, a Catholic. His treatment of Reynolds proves that point."

 

 

Discuss amongst y'selves.

[Not The Philosopher]

Well, this is the same guy who called gay marriage the work of the Devil.

 

I wonder how many people will claim that "conservative elements" in the Church pressured him to do it or something.

[arfink]

Well, I think it's pretty clear that Mr. Reynolds is in need of our prayers. Excommunication is a very extreme form of spiritual medicine to ask someone to take, and I do not doubt that Pope Francis knows what he's doing by making this decision. I'm glad Pope Francis is concerned enough for his soul to take this measure, and I hope Mr. Reynolds repents.

[CatherineM]

I don't think Pope Francis is the kind of person who can be bullied into anything.

[PhuturePriest]

Well, I'm not happy that he had to be excommunicated. I wish that he could have been faithful to the Church's teachings. But this action by the Pope gives me hope that excommunication will actually be used when necessary. I've never heard of anyone being excommunicated in my lifetime.

[AugustineA]

Well, I'm not happy that he had to be excommunicated. I wish that he could have been faithful to the Church's teachings. But this action by the Pope gives me hope that excommunication will actually be used when necessary. I've never heard of anyone being excommunicated in my lifetime.

 

Bam. This was precisely my reaction. 

[Apotheoun]

It is my understanding based upon what I read in a recent article that quoted the Archbishop of Melbourne that Fr. Reynolds was excommunicated because he continued to celebrate mass after he had resigned from the priesthood. Moreover, I think his problems with the Vatican intensified back in 2012 when it was reported that the "Inclusive Catholic" group Fr. Reynolds founded had given Holy Communion to a dog.

[AnneLine]

I find myself remembering a comment I read in a secular book that in traditional Jewish law, one should fast and do penance if they need to deliver a judgment that results in a death penalty.  How sad my soul is that such a penalty should ever be inflicted on another person, even if it is an appropriate use of the penalty.

 

I have no desire to gloat over anyone suffering this fate, but I have no doubt that Pope Francis knew exactly what he was doing, and made a firm decision to do 'lo mejor' - the better option. 

 

I also don't need to know the reasons... I just feel the sadness in the heart of the Good Shepherd, and I hope that this sheep wanders back....

 

I am and will be praying for Mr. Reynolds... not because I agree with him -- not at all -- but because I do not want anyone ANYONE to end up in eternal damnation.

 

 

[Kiteri]

Well, I'm not happy that he had to be excommunicated. I wish that he could have been faithful to the Church's teachings. But this action by the Pope gives me hope that excommunication will actually be used when necessary. I've never heard of anyone being excommunicated in my lifetime.

 

 

 In our lifetime, Archbishop Lefevbre  and 4 SSPX  Bishop were excommunicated by JPII  in 1988 , and I think some American priestesses.    The SSPX were seeking regularization, but never have  so far.

Edited September 24, 2013 by Kiteri

[John Ryan]

It is my understanding based upon what I read in a recent article that quoted the Archbishop of Melbourne that Fr. Reynolds was excommunicated because he continued to celebrate mass after he had resigned from the priesthood. Moreover, I think his problems with the Vatican intensified back in 2012 when it was reported that the "Inclusive Catholic" group Fr. Reynolds founded had given Holy Communion to a dog.

 

There are Roman Catholic priests I know who are openly supportive of LGBTQ rights. We have some Catholic churches in Manhattan that have held LGBTQ events and Archbishop Dolan has never moved against them. I do not think it was his liberal social beliefs that got him excommunicated, but rather his performing the Mass without having the authority to do so — as he was no longer a priest.

[PhuturePriest]

 In our lifetime, Archbishop Lefevbre  and 4 SSPX  Bishop were excommunicated by JPII  in 1988 , and I think some American priestesses.    The SSPX were seeking regularization, but never have  so far.

 

I was born in 1996.

[Apotheoun]

I was born in 1996.

Ah, the 1990s, almost as a good a decade as the 1980s.   :smile3:

[Apotheoun]

I do not think it was his liberal social beliefs that got him excommunicated, but rather his performing the Mass without having the authority to do so — as he was no longer a priest.

I agree.

[arfink]

Unfortunately, the letter of excommunication does not include any reasons, so it's hard to say.

 

Also, I seem to recall somebody in the US did get excommunicated in 2005, by their local bishop. I can't remember the details though...

[PhuturePriest]

Ah, the 1990s, almost as a good a decade as the 1980s.   :smile3:

 

I've always been an avid fan of the '80s, particularly for its music. I'd like to say I'm a '90s kid, but that would be a lie since I don't remember anything about the '90s. My childhood memories stem from the 00's.