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James Martin, S.J.October 31, 2009

In response to various reports over the upcoming apostolic constitution on admitting Anglicans into the church, Cardinal William Levada, through the Vatican's press officer, Frederico Lombardi, S.J., took the unusual step of issuing this "clarification" to some concerns raised by some journalists, including Andrea Tornelli, noted on this blog below.  H/T to Damian Thompson of the Telegraph.  Celibacy, according to the statement, will continue be the norm, but exceptions may be made "on a case by case" basis in the new "personal ordinariates."  It seems to me that the openness to the "possibilities" to the idea of "future seminarians" marks something of a change in thinking.  With such changes does the church change.

CLARIFICATION BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE HOLY SEE PRESS OFFICE, FR. FEDERICO LOMBARDI, S.J., ON SPECULATIONS ABOUT THE CELIBACY ISSUE IN THE ANNOUNCED APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION REGARDING PERSONAL ORDINARIATES FOR ANGLICAN ENTERING INTO FULL COMMUNION WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

There has been widespread speculation, based on supposedly knowledgeable remarks by an Italian correspondent Andrea Tornielli, that the delay in publication of the Apostolic Constitution regarding Personal Ordinariates for Anglicans entering into full communion with the Catholic Church, announced on October 20, 2009, by Cardinal William Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is due to more than “technical” reasons. According to this speculation, there is a serious substantial issue at the basis of the delay, namely, disagreement about whether celibacy will be the norm for the future clergy of the Provision.

Cardinal Levada offered the following comments on this speculation: “Had I been asked I would happily have clarified any doubt about my remarks at the press conference. There is no substance to such speculation. No one at the Vatican has mentioned any such issue to me. The delay is purely technical in the sense of ensuring consistency in canonical language and references. The translation issues are secondary; the decision not to delay publication in order to wait for the ‘official’ Latin text to be published in Acta Apostolicae Sedis was made some time ago.

The drafts prepared by the working group, and submitted for study and approval through the usual process followed by the Congregation, have all included the following statement, currently Article VI of the Constitution:

§1 Those who ministered as Anglican deacons, priests, or bishops, and who fulfill the requisites established by canon law and are not impeded by irregularities or other impediments may be accepted by the Ordinary as candidates for Holy Orders in the Catholic Church. In the case of married ministers, the norms established in the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI Sacerdotalis coelibatus, n. 42 and in the Statement “In June” are to be observed. Unmarried ministers must submit to the norm of clerical celibacy of CIC can. 277, §1.

§2. The Ordinary, in full observance of the discipline of celibate clergy in the Latin Church, as a rule (pro regula) will admit only celibate men to the order of presbyter. He may also petition the Roman Pontiff, as a derogation from can. 277, §1, for the admission of married men to the order of presbyter on a case by case basis, according to objective criteria approved by the Holy See.

This article is to be understood as consistent with the current practice of the Church, in which married former Anglican ministers may be admitted to priestly ministry in the Catholic Church on a case by case basis. With regard to future seminarians, it was considered purely speculative whether there might be some cases in which a dispensation from the celibacy rule might be petitioned. For this reason, objective criteria about any such possibilities (e.g. married seminarians already in preparation) are to be developed jointly by the Personal Ordinariate and the Episcopal Conference, and submitted for approval of the Holy See.”

Cardinal Levada said he anticipates the technical work on the Constitution and Norms will be completed by the end of the first week of November.

James Martin, SJ

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14 years 5 months ago
Sounds like nothing new is here.. Why than a press conference?.. it's all 'case by case' .. why not call it an mass invitation to RCIA? 
MATTHEW NANNERY
14 years 5 months ago
The speculation about possibly ordaining married seminarians already in preparation would be new for Latin Rite Catholics, with whom it seems the Anglican Catholics will be loosely classed. Since they are not yet married, they are not already committed to a prior vocation. The possiblity of agreeing upfront to allowing them to pursue what the western Church has viewed as two distinct and non-complimentary vocations would be new.
MATTHEW NANNERY
14 years 5 months ago
Ax that. I misread this. My speculation is in repsponse to whether ordaining engaged, not-yet-married seminarians would be possible.
david power
14 years 5 months ago
The problem to me is not that Priests cannot marry.I am not a priest.I live in Rome and know many priests and many of them seem to me to be lonely.Many lack virility.They would be worse if married I am sure.Then I go to the Gesu for Mass and see real Priests.Priests who know how to love.They wear their jeans,and that scandalized me at first.Then i confessed with them and learned what a Priest is.A Priest is a beautiful thing when we come across one.A collar does not represent a Priest for me.To call some of the men in Rome "Father" is ridiculous they would run at the first sign of a wolf.But then I repeat I go to the Gesu and see men who truly have a vocation.Men of understanding ,engrossed in their work.What else could I call them but father?I dislike this article as it represents a way of thinking ,which does a disservice to the wonderful service of Catholic Priests which inspire.Unsung heroes.     

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