|
|
|
|
|
Thursday 25 November 2005 MY STATUS IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, On November 4, 2005 I was required to be at a meeting with the Bishop of Wollongong – Bishop Peter Ingham -- at his Diocesan Offices (Wollongong, NSW, Australia). The Chancellor of the Diocese, Fr. Peter Comensoli was also present. I was permitted to bring with me my own support person from our Community -- Fr. Richard Williams. The purpose of the meeting was to inform me of the Decree (Prot. N. 162/2003) issued against me by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF). He advised me that this Decree was authorized by Pope Benedict XVI for my dismissal from the clerical state. The Decree is dated 15 September 2005 and signed by William J. Levada (Prefect) and his Secretary Archbishop Angelus Amato, S.D.B. The Pope's signature is not on the original Latin document. I fully understand that the CDF is the Pope's authentic instrument for safeguarding the patrimony of the Catholic Faith. I am fully in support of the CDF in its apostolic mandate. However, I believe there has been a serious failure of procedural fairness (natural justice) in my regard. The “report” on myself (which, obviously, I have not seen) referred to in the Decree must be a seriously defective profile of me! This “report” was read out by the Prefect of the CDF in the presence of His Holiness on 15 September 2005 in CDF's regular session. I believe that the “report” not only could not accurately characterize myself, but that it is also seriously misleading, because I have had no input into it! Thus the judgement by the CDF that I should be reduced to the lay state is gravely disproportionate to acts referred to in my actual situation. There are many relevant facts which I could provide about myself, but I have never been asked to join a proper canonical forum so as to explain them! The reason for my assertion is that, in the 18 years I have been resident in the Wollongong Diocese, I have never been asked by the Bishop of Wollongong to give an integral explanation -- nor to explain various and specific allegations levelled against the Little Pebble, the Order of Saint Charbel and myself. This assertion is also true for the predecessors in the Diocese -- Bishop Murray and Bishop Wilson. I met Bishop Ingham for the very first time on 4 November 2005 at this meeting in his Office, in which he administered to me this Decree! He was very nice to me and promoted a friendly atmosphere in the meeting -- however, the "report" on me is not just. It is not just within the meaning of Canon 221. Specifically, in view of this Canon, I believe that there ought to have been a greater sense of equity by those who have judged me. Secondly, safeguarding my right to a just hearing ought to be a fundamental requirement to any decision-maker's application of Canon Law in my regard. As previously happened with the Decree of Excommunication issued against me in 2003, I appealed to the Holy See in writing for procedural fairness -- but I have never received any advocacy through the intercession of the Church. Dear souls of good-will, it has always been this way -- the failure of natural justice stands out in bold relief over many years. In this letter, I cannot review the complete history of my life and work in the Order of Saint Charbel as it is too much material. Nor will I detract against Bishop Ingham. I believe he understands that he is doing what he thinks is right for the Church. I can only appeal to God for help in this serious matter. However, these points I will make: I believe in God and in all that the Holy Catholic Church believes and teaches. I believe in the Mother of God and in Her authentic Apparitions. I believe in the Promises of God through many public and private Messages. I believe in what God has done in my life through this Mission, and that I have developed into a better person and Priest, of Jesus Christ. I believe that God rewards faith. I believe that it has never been known that anyone who had faith in God and was left unaided. I believe that I am Loved by God and by the Mother of God. It is my desire for many years to respond to their Love for me. I have offered my life and my Priesthood to Jesus and Mary in this Mission and in the Order of Saint Charbel. Finally, I have written a letter to His Holiness to request that I be given the opportunity to present myself to the Holy See for the sake of my integrity and my Priesthood in the Catholic Church. I understand that the Decree (Prot. N. 162/2003) forbids an Appeal or recourse of any kind. Nevertheless, I hope my letter will inspire His Holiness to open a door for me to present a proper and true profile of myself. I believe that I have formed my conscience in a true Catholic sense, and that I have trusted in the provisions of Canon Law for my vindication. I should be allowed to answer the objections against me. I cannot betray my own properly formed conscience. Who will say to me: how have you formed your conscience? No competent ecclesiastical authority has ever asked me to explain myself!! I must be faithful to God's Will, analogously in the same way as did Saint Joseph, who believed in the words of an Angel given to him privately, in a dream: not to fear to take Mary his Wife ... (Matthew 1:20-22). His Holiness, John Paul II, wrote that what Saint Joseph did "touches the very essence of faith" (Redemptoris Custos, art. 4). I believe that what I am doing also touches the very essence of faith. Dismissal from the clerical state is such a final solution, I am sure that His Holiness would want to uphold my dignity and Priesthood if at all possible, for the good of my soul. I entrust myself to the Pope's universal pastoral care for the Flock of Christ and I have asked that he reconsider this solution of the CDF. Please pray for me and this intention. May Jesus Bless you and Our Lady love you tenderly. Sincerely yours in Christ, [signed] +Bishop Malcolm Broussard
|
|
|
