We do not hear too often about an excommunication. Well, recently the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, apparently speaking on behalf of the Holy See, has confirmed an American Bishop's decision to excommunicate members of the dissident group Call to Action.The group, according to Cardinal Re, is "causing damage to the Church of Christ. This group and its membership were, in March, 1996, excommunicated by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska. He took the action because he described the group as "totally incompatible with the Catholic faith." In a recent letter to the Bishop, Cardinal Re indicated that the findings of the Holy See were that the actions taken were "properly taken." The Cardinal indicated that the views of the groups were unacceptable from a doctrinal and disciplinary standpoint. The Cardinal wrote: "Thus to be a member of this Association or to support it, is irreconcilable with a coherent living of the Catholic faith."Perhaps a response now could be, "Let the healing begin," in the Diocese of Lincoln where the excommunication is in force ... but in no other place at this time.From its website, Call to Action's mission statement includes the following phrase which, no doubt, caused great concern for the Ordinary in Lincoln as well as the authorities in Rome. "An independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 53 local chapters, CTA believes that the Spirit of God is at work in the whole Church, not just in appointed leaders."The Nebraska Chapter published an official document on December 8, 2006. It stated that the Chapter would appeal the decision to the Holy See. Among the efforts of the Chapter, according to the press release, are advocating for women's rights in the Church, allowing young girls to be altar servers, and working to assist children who are victims of abuse. Again, "Let the healing begin, folks and Church authorities."Monday, December 11, 2006
EXCOMMUNICATION: Call to Action, Nebraska
We do not hear too often about an excommunication. Well, recently the Cardinal Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, apparently speaking on behalf of the Holy See, has confirmed an American Bishop's decision to excommunicate members of the dissident group Call to Action.The group, according to Cardinal Re, is "causing damage to the Church of Christ. This group and its membership were, in March, 1996, excommunicated by Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz of Lincoln, Nebraska. He took the action because he described the group as "totally incompatible with the Catholic faith." In a recent letter to the Bishop, Cardinal Re indicated that the findings of the Holy See were that the actions taken were "properly taken." The Cardinal indicated that the views of the groups were unacceptable from a doctrinal and disciplinary standpoint. The Cardinal wrote: "Thus to be a member of this Association or to support it, is irreconcilable with a coherent living of the Catholic faith."Perhaps a response now could be, "Let the healing begin," in the Diocese of Lincoln where the excommunication is in force ... but in no other place at this time.From its website, Call to Action's mission statement includes the following phrase which, no doubt, caused great concern for the Ordinary in Lincoln as well as the authorities in Rome. "An independent national organization of over 25,000 people and 53 local chapters, CTA believes that the Spirit of God is at work in the whole Church, not just in appointed leaders."The Nebraska Chapter published an official document on December 8, 2006. It stated that the Chapter would appeal the decision to the Holy See. Among the efforts of the Chapter, according to the press release, are advocating for women's rights in the Church, allowing young girls to be altar servers, and working to assist children who are victims of abuse. Again, "Let the healing begin, folks and Church authorities."
