The culture of ‘a priest forever’ is changing

Catholic Herald, 04 September 2020

Advising the accused at an early stage about the option of laicisation represents another big cultural shift, one with theological implications.

There is a story about Pope St John XXIII when he was Patriarch of Venice that, as the Italians say, if it’s not true, it ought to be.

At a formal dinner in the patriarchal palace, Cardinal Angelo Roncalli was being hectored by a guest for his continuing solicitude for a fallen priest. He gave a dramatic reply. Holding up a crystal wine goblet, he asked the guest, “Whose is this?”

“It is yours, Eminence.”

Roncalli then threw the precious glass down, shattering it into many pieces. “And whose is it now?” the patriarch asked.

“Still yours,” replied the guest.

Would the answer be the same today? Or would there be a hurry to sweep up the debris, dumping it into the nearest bin as quickly as possible?

That (apocryphal?) story came to mind in reading the latest document from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith about priestly sexual abuse cases. The vademecum, published in July, provides an overview of all the relevant legislation and best practices for handling allegations. It got a widely positive reception.

This caught my eye: “From the time of the notitia de delicto, the accused has the right to present a petition to be dispensed from all the obligations connected with the clerical state, including celibacy, and, concurrently, from any religious vows.  The Ordinary or Hierarch must clearly inform him of this right” (#157).

Thus, among the very first things a bishop must do upon receiving an allegation of a crime (notitia de delicto), is to advise the priest that he can ask for laicisation. If the priest decides to go voluntarily, that doesn’t by itself end the process, which the vademecum says should continue to establish justice for the victim. An efficient laicisation does though get rid of the priest; no longer the diocese’s responsibility, no longer the diocese’s problem. The broken glass is disposable, and encouraged to ask for disposal.

Continue reading at the Catholic Herald:
https://catholicherald.co.uk/the-culture-of-a-priest-forever-is-changing/