Vatican strips Zambian-born Archbishop Milingo of clerical state

Dec 17, 2009, 13:56 GMT

Vatican City - The Vatican announced Thursday the dismissal from the clerical state of a controversial Zambian-born archbishop who in 2001 broke his celibacy vow by marrying a Korean woman, and who was excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 2006 when he ordained bishops without papal consent.

The decision strips Emmanuel Milingo of the 'rights and duties attached to the clerical state, except for the obligation of celibacy,' the Vatican noted.

These included prohibition of exercising any ministry, the loss of all offices and functions and of all delegated power, as well as prohibition of the use of clerical dress and attire.

The participation of the faithful 'in any future celebrations organized by Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo is to be considered unlawful,' the Vatican added.

Stressing that the dismissal of a bishop from the clerical state is 'most extraordinary,' the statement said the Vatican felt obliged to act in this way due to the 'serious consequences' for Church unity and discipline, posed by the repeated unlawful consecrations carried out by Milingo.

'Nevertheless, the Church hopes that Archbishop Milingo will see the error of his ways,' the statement said.

It also noted the 'many attempts' to bring Milingo back into communion with the Catholic Church, including the consideration of suitable ways for him to exercise his duty as an archbishop.

The late Pope John Paul II and his successor Pope Benedict XVI were directly involved in those efforts and both popes personally followed the case of Milingo 'in a spirit of paternal solicitude,' the statement said.

The Vatican however, said it had found proof of the 'persistent contumacy,' of the 79-year-old Milingo, through a series of 'grave crimes,' the latest being his decision in recent months to ordain more bishops without a mandate from the pope.

Milingo first drew international media coverage in 2001 when he married Korean acupuncturist, Maria Sung in a ceremony officiated by the leader of the Unification Church, Sun Myung Moon, in New York.

A rapprochement with the Vatican followed when Milingo announced his decision to leave Sung and to respect Church discipline.

After keeping a low profile for several years, Milingo appeared in Washington in 2006 to announce his decision to embark on a ministry to reconcile married priests with the Catholic faith.

He then ordained four bishops without pontifical mandate, an act which incurred the Catholic Church's automatic penalty of excommunication.

Milingo, wearing his archbishop's attire, including purple skull cap and waist sash, has since appeared on Italian television together with Sung.

Milingo first drew Vatican disapproval with exorcisms and faith healing practices that he performed as Archbishop of Lusaka, Zambia in the 1980s.