Defiant Fr Roy Bourgeois Dismissed from Maryknolls. Soon from the Priesthood?

By Deacon Keith Fournier
8/13/2011
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Sadly, the defiant priest did not respond. So, he has now been dismissed from the Maryknolls

Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful

Fr. Bourgeois in an act of open defiance

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CHESAPEAKE, VA. (Catholic Online) - Fr. Roy Bourgeois is a Catholic Priest who was ordained to the priesthood in 1972. He is a member of the Maryknoll Order. From the beginning of his priestly ministry he worked with the poor and the oppressed. He took public and sometimes controversial stands against Latin American leaders who did not respect human dignity and seemed to have little concern for the oppressed or the poor.

He founded the "School of the America's Watch" in 1990 to call attention to what he long maintained was American complicity in some of the very unjust activities he had dedicated his life and ministry to exposing, opposing and changing.

Up to that point, Catholics of various political persuasions could - and often did - disagree with him and his leftist political leanings. However, he was within his rights to engage in that work. He had not veered from Catholic teaching in so doing.

However, all that changed on August 9, 2008 when Fr. Bourgeois chose to become a "concelebrant" and homilist at the attempted ordination to the "priesthood" of Janice Sevre-Duszynska. The attempted "ordination" occurred at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, KY.

Fr. Bourgeois then engaged in a new crusade which involved public and direct defiance of the Holy See and a repudiation of the unbroken teaching of the Magisterium of the Catholic Church concerning sacred ordination.

He received a letter from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith which explained his errors with a genuine concern for his salvation. It gave him a time period within which to recant his "belief and public statements that support the ordination of women in our Church, or (he) will be excommunicated." This action followed his overt, repeated, defiant and public rejection of efforts from the leadership within his own religious community to return him to full fidelity with the teaching of the Catholic Church.

His letter of response to the Holy See was defiant and dismissive. It was also poorly written and failed to answer the clear teaching of the Church, choosing instead to engage in polemical advocacy. So, by his own choice and action he incurred what is called under Canon Law a latae sententiae, or automatic, excommunication from the Church, by his own action. Of course, the purpose of any excommunication is remedial. It is hoped that the one who incurs it will seriously consider their action, turn back to the Lord and seek full communion with His Church.

On May 22, 1994, the Venerable John Paul II released an apostolic letter, addressed to the Bishops of the Catholic Church entitled "On Reserving Priestly Ordination to Men Alone (Ordinatio Sacerdotalis) It is a very short, succinct affirmation of the clear teaching of the Catholic Church and should be read by every Catholic - and any other Christian - who wants to understand the who, what, where and why of this entire question. There is no room for dissent, debate or disagreement on it. The letter ends with these words:

"Although the teaching that priestly ordination is to be reserved to men alone has been preserved by the constant and universal Tradition of the Church and firmly taught by the Magisterium in its more recent documents, at the present time in some places it is nonetheless considered still open to debate, or the Church's judgment that women are not to be admitted to ordination is considered to have a merely disciplinary force.

"Wherefore, in order that all doubt may be removed regarding a matter of great importance, a matter which pertains to the Church's divine constitution itself, in virtue of my ministry of confirming the brethren (cf. Lk 22:32) I declare that the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women and that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church's faithful."

The arguments against this clear and authoritative teaching sometimes come from people who do not understand that the priesthood is not a job and have succumbed to the "rights" mentality of the current age. Other times they come from people who have no understanding of the sacramental nature of the Church.

Both groups may include among them Catholics who, as in too many other areas of doctrine, have not been properly catechized. However, there are those who know the teaching and its authoritative nature but have willfully chosen to publicly dissent and lead others astray. Sadly, that has been the defiant approach taken by Fr Roy Bourgeois.

The Superiors of the Maryknoll Religious community issued Fr Roy Bourgeois a Canonical Warning of his pending expulsion from the Religious Order. It contained these words: "Since the September 27, 2008 letter from the Congregation ...

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1 - 10 of 52 Comments

Sheryl
1 year ago
This is also a failure from our end as laity...we should pray for our priests! as in FAST and pray for them. The devil focuses on 3 things- more abortions, marriages breaking down and priests that fall...

Pray, people...PRAY!
RC
1 year ago

Knowing the Catholic catechism is a good thing but it cannot be used as a specific defense such as can the inspired word of God. Many non-believers will use as an authority over what is or is not allowed, the bible, as "their" defense.

In the old testament, God speaks clearly to Moses and the Levite males are chosen as priests {Aaron and his sons} after the golden calf incident. It is indisputable. Knowing GOD'S word in both the new AND the old testaments are one of the best defenses if not the best defense against heresy.

Referenced below are some of the books of the old testament in a prior post so as to be inclusive of the whole Bible to show where GOD does indeed describe who is to be a priest and more specifically the details of purification and the garments to be worn by the priest.

In the new testament, Christ did select 12 apostles to go forth and preach His Word and to "do this in remembrance of me" [ Our Eucharistic Lord ], but relying strictly on the new testament leaves out many who do not wish to accept Christ as the Saviour of the world or the new testament as being inspired by GOD. It could be very helpful and 'inclusive' to also reference the old Testament. Unfortunately, many Catholics do not read the old Testament as often as they should. As an example, in the new Testament, Jesus quotes from and refers to Isaiah when speaking to the Pharisees since the Pharisees would only cling to the "mosaic" law.

It is always interesting when a non-believer of Christ or a dissident will 'use' the bible in general to demonstrate why Christians are hypocrites or why a behavior of the world should be accepted or not accepted because it was written of in the bible yet many of the same non-believers and dissidents will NOT accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour.

In other words, many non-believers and dissidents "choose" to accept the parts of the bible that fit "THEIR" lifestyle and dismiss the parts of the bible that do not fit.

I always find it interesting and joyful to read in the new testament where a non-believer cannot even say the name of Jesus but will make reference to "THE WAY" so as to not say the name of Jesus.

--- HE is THE WAY, THE TRUTH and the THE LIFE. ---

Our thoughts are NOT higher than His thoughts. --- ISAIAH 55:8-9 ---

--- ISAIAH 9:6 --- For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. ---

--- John 4:42 --- And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard [him] ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world. ---

In Christ Jesus, our LORD, GOD, and Saviour, AMEN
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Kevio Jacob

Thank you humbly Kevin. God sent one of the consecrated Sisters to me and I in my stupidity didnt teach as she asked but hope that I am making up for it.

God Bless all of us and Im praying for all us even our brothers and sisters who are dissidents. Come back to the true church brothers and sisters.
Kevio Jacob
1 year ago
I have admired, JeanCatherine, your effort of trying to educate many on the reality of various ministries in the church, i mean the Holy Catholic and Apostolic church,entrusted to the Holy Father,now Benedict.

There are two reasons why people are becoming increasingly confused;
1. Very few understand their roles as assigned right from Baptism.i.e. Prophets,Kings and Priests.Sacerdotal priesthood is not the only way of serving God and attaining salvation,it is a function in the church reserved for men,from day 1.
2.People are increasingly becoming modern(confused),therefore wanting to make adjustments in the church,which is not to "CONFORM to the standards of the world".

I therefore have two proposals for those who want to make adjustments in the church;-
- Join the modern,adjustable sects; protestants/pentecostal chuches
- More catechesis for all practising Catholics

Holy Father and My Catholic Bishops i dedicate one Hail Mary daily for Wisdom in guiding us in this confused World.Amen.
Uzowulu Emeka S
1 year ago
In my Humbly opinion the issue is that the Catholic Doctrine frowns at that and therefore no true Catholic should join issues with the dogma and doctrine.i stand by the Holy father and the Bishops and the all people of God who are not missing words in condemning the Ordination of Women. Long live the catholic Dogma and Doctrine .
DLL
1 year ago
If the Pope were to obtain the Papacy then change all of dogma and doctrine than he is not the Vicar of Christ he is a demon. He is no better than a politician who would change the moral codes concerning marriage,so marriage didn't mean marriage anymore,support abortion and an as you like it lifestyle condemning none,as that would be the politically incorrect thing to do. Change in the Church is for the Glory of God and not for the aspirations of common men and women. The members of the Church are trying to learn obedience to God as they should question themselves and what they think instead of resisting and condemning Church teachings and doctrine. Christ is the Church and men/women serve God through Christ in obedience to the Holy Spirit. Christ revered women as Mothers,a Holy vocation,and men to learn and teach the ways of God as fathers of human families and Holy assembled Church families. That is in Christ persona we can call a Priest as a father of the Church community.There is only one Father of us all and that is God the Holy Father of all creation. Christ ordained the very term of Father by legitimising evey male to become a true father to their families be they secular or Holy or Godwilling both and above all Holy unto the Lord. Father,Mother and Child is the basic elements of any Holy Family. Tragedy is when these basic elements disintergrate. Women trying to become fathers and men trying to become mothers is evidenced by the fact that something tragic has happened to the basic family structure,such as the death of a father or mother,or a social catastrophe such as a divorce. Role reversal and denial,especially causes confusion and brings a kind of futility to the situation instead of integrating it. Men and women were designed by God to work together in marriage,the Church and society and each is extremely different from the other by design,both very pleasing to God and equal for his ever abiding love.
t
1 year ago
Christ was not a women." Do this in memory of me," he was talking to 12 men. and He did not say everyone do this in memory of me, If women want to join in religious life be a nun or sister.
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
No Way

You speak about human failures but you dont speak about anything positive about the the chruch at large.

One thing it speaks about in the bible is to build up and that is what Im doing. I dont forget about the failures of the church.

You also miss one point also you think that the Priesthood belongs to anybody. It does not. It was appointed by Jesus Christ. He never gave us the authority to appoint women to the Priesthood but also it was never intended toward the female as it was set up and given explaination by the Magisterium.

You think that the Pope and all the Bishops have the right to include the women into the Priesthood. Again as I got the first time from the teaching end of the Magisterium what part of they do not have the authority to appoint females to the Priesthood dont you get.

When they imply they dont have the authority that means that Christ does. He isnt here but when He comes back during the Second Coming be my guest and stand in line with everyone else and ask Him why He did not give Peter the authority to do so.

As for coverup I would say that its not a secret anymore that we have had an abuse scandal and now the Church has been stepping up to the plate and doing something about it and I would say more than the secular world which is getting behind them now.

The church and what it teaches is awesome and massive. You only speak of negativities. What of the positive side of the Teachings of Christ taught both traditionally and by the good Book?

As far as Im concerned you sound as if we should heed Satan and go against the Lord's appointed one on earth to the chair of Peter? Sorry I cant do this. I am only a laywomen but I am going to study Catholicism until I die which means the Bible and the Catechism as long as I can. My hope is I will be wise in the ways of Christ to some extent when I die. Not fully but maybe somewhat.

You want a worldly, inclusive church. Well Im sorry but Christ didnt set it up for this.

He does agree Im sure with were in the world but not of it. Have you ever read the Bible and the Catechism???? I find it most enlightening what Christ taught and mysterious even today.
No Way
1 year ago
I can think of 1000 things the Popes through the ages have done in which Christ has not given him authority to do, but they still did. Indulgences? Priest cover-ups? Holy wars started in the name of our God? Jean-Catherine and the rest of you who see the Papacy as infallible, amazing how when speaking ex cathedra it is never EXPLICITLY mentioned...it's kind of grayed over. Then after the say something of course they can go back and say what words were 20/20 and what words were far-sighted....it makes perfect sense.
JeanCatherine
1 year ago
Re: The Catholic View for Women

Anyone wants to watch the real view regarding women in the church please go to the website: The Catholic View for Women

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