ALLENTOWN, PA: Laicization of Episcopal Priests by Rome Angers Clerics
ALLENTOWN, PA: Laicization of Episcopal Priests by Rome Angers Clerics
Three Diocese of Bethlehem priests originally ordained as Roman Catholic clerics will strongly oppose it if contacted by Rome
By Mary Ann Mueller
VOL Special Correspondent
www.virtueonline.org
May 24, 2012
Three former Roman Catholic priests from the Catholic Diocese of Allentown, PA who left the Catholic Church to become Episcopalians, are now married, and are serving as Episcopal priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, have received notice from their former Catholic diocese that their status as Roman Catholic priests is about to change.
The Episcopal Church does not re-ordain converting Catholic priests. The Episcopal Church readily recognizes the validity of Catholic clerical orders and receives the converting Catholic cleric into The Episcopal Church with a specialized service entitled "The Reception of Priestly Orders."
The Rev. Canon Bill Lewellis, the Rev. Canon Michael Piovane, and the Rev. Donald Schaible II all received notice from the Rev. Monsignor Gerald Gobitas, the Diocese of Allentown's Secretary for Clergy, that the eastern Pennsylvania Catholic diocese will be appealing to the Vatican for laicization on their behalf. This basically means that within the Roman Catholic Church, they will be reduced to the rank of laity and no longer recognized as priests by the Church of Rome.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
Three Diocese of Bethlehem priests originally ordained as Roman Catholic clerics will strongly oppose it if contacted by Rome
By Mary Ann Mueller
VOL Special Correspondent
www.virtueonline.org
May 24, 2012
Three former Roman Catholic priests from the Catholic Diocese of Allentown, PA who left the Catholic Church to become Episcopalians, are now married, and are serving as Episcopal priests in the Episcopal Diocese of Bethlehem, have received notice from their former Catholic diocese that their status as Roman Catholic priests is about to change.The Episcopal Church does not re-ordain converting Catholic priests. The Episcopal Church readily recognizes the validity of Catholic clerical orders and receives the converting Catholic cleric into The Episcopal Church with a specialized service entitled "The Reception of Priestly Orders."
The Rev. Canon Bill Lewellis, the Rev. Canon Michael Piovane, and the Rev. Donald Schaible II all received notice from the Rev. Monsignor Gerald Gobitas, the Diocese of Allentown's Secretary for Clergy, that the eastern Pennsylvania Catholic diocese will be appealing to the Vatican for laicization on their behalf. This basically means that within the Roman Catholic Church, they will be reduced to the rank of laity and no longer recognized as priests by the Church of Rome.
Read the full story at www.VirtueOnline.org
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