From Dr. Ed Peters:
Pope Benedict XVI is believed to be mulling over the possibility of expelling a bishop, Fernando Lugo, from the clerical state. That would certainly be a first under the 1983 Code (the Jacques Gaillot case in 1995 was not a precedent; Gaillot was removed from office, but not from the clerical state), and I'm pretty sure it never happened under the 1917 Code.
Read the entire post on the "In the Light of the Law" blog.
What does "expel from the clerical state" mean? The Pope can't take away his "bishopness", right? The bishop is a successor of the apostles. That can't be undone. Isn't this why Bishop Milingo is so dangerous i.e. he can ordain new bishops whose consecrations would be illicit but still valid?
Posted by: AS | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 09:35 AM
Where's a St. Ambrose or a St. Nicholas when we need one?
I'm starting to feel sympathy for SSPX, which was excommunicated, while bishops and theologians who are matter of fact not in communion with the Church just get a slap on the hands...
Oh, Jesus, do not let the gates of Your Church to be abated from inside!
Posted by: Augustine | Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 09:45 PM