Monday, April 27, 2009

Law Question

Does a bishop who has spoken clear heresy still hold the authority of his office?

This is sort of a spin-off of the sedevacantist question. How should this situation be handled, in the case of a latae sententiae excommunication?

Can. 1331 §1. An excommunicated person is forbidden:

1/ to have any ministerial participation in celebrating the sacrifice of the Eucharist or any other ceremonies of worship whatsoever;

2/ to celebrate the sacraments or sacramentals and to receive the sacraments;

3/ to exercise any ecclesiastical offices, ministries, or functions whatsoever or to place acts of governance.


Can. 1364 §1. Without prejudice to the prescript of can. 194, §1, n. 2, an apostate from the faith, a heretic, or a schismatic incurs a latae sententiae excommunication; in addition, a cleric can be punished with the penalties mentioned in can. 1336, §1, nn. 1, 2, and 3.

Monday, April 06, 2009

Thoughts for Holy Week


A phrase from day five of the Divine Mercy novena jumped out at me. It is from the fifth day of the novena:
Today bring to Me The souls of those who have separated themselves from my Church and immerse them in the ocean of My mercy. During My bitter Passion they tore at My Body and Heart, that is, My Church. As they return to unity with the Church, My wounds heal and in this way they alleviate My Passion.

Though we are firmly rooted in time, time does not exist in heaven. It may be that this novena is speaking in a figurative way, but I don't think so. By praying and working for true unity, Christ's sufferings even on the day of His Passion will be slightly lessened. That is pretty incredible.

The Divine Mercy Novena starts on Good Friday. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!