With liberals relentlessly and delusionally pushing for women
priests, hearing that a nun officiated at a Catholic wedding set off alarms in
my head. That can’t be right, I
thought.
priests, hearing that a nun officiated at a Catholic wedding set off alarms in
my head. That can’t be right, I
thought.
It was reported in America
Magazine that Sister Pierette Thiffault of the Sisters of Providence
presided over a wedding at a Catholic church in Lorrainville, Quebec on July
22. Since no priests were available,
the bishop of that diocese received Vatican permission for a local nun to
officiate.
Magazine that Sister Pierette Thiffault of the Sisters of Providence
presided over a wedding at a Catholic church in Lorrainville, Quebec on July
22. Since no priests were available,
the bishop of that diocese received Vatican permission for a local nun to
officiate.
My fears were still not quelled, but then I reminded
myself that the gates of hell are not forecasted to prevail. So I read on.
myself that the gates of hell are not forecasted to prevail. So I read on.
Thankfully,
the bishop did not say, “As a nod to angry feminists everywhere, women can now
start doing men things in the Church.
Forget 2,000 years of consistent Church teachings; it’s time we caved
just like our Protestant brethren and sister-rens have done. And besides,
imagine how happy this will make the media.”
the bishop did not say, “As a nod to angry feminists everywhere, women can now
start doing men things in the Church.
Forget 2,000 years of consistent Church teachings; it’s time we caved
just like our Protestant brethren and sister-rens have done. And besides,
imagine how happy this will make the media.”
Instead,
Bishop Dorylas Moreau explained that a nun presiding over a wedding is “an
exceptional situation; not something habitual.” Oh, that’s how it starts, you may be thinking, just as I did. But fortunately, there’s a good Catholic
explanation.
Bishop Dorylas Moreau explained that a nun presiding over a wedding is “an
exceptional situation; not something habitual.” Oh, that’s how it starts, you may be thinking, just as I did. But fortunately, there’s a good Catholic
explanation.
First,
consider their problem. With only 16
priests for 35 parishes in a diocese that covers nearly 9,300 square miles of
rugged territory, they’ve got trouble. With
that problem in mind, the Bishop sought permission— because obedience to Church
authority matters, —to have a nun represent the Church.
consider their problem. With only 16
priests for 35 parishes in a diocese that covers nearly 9,300 square miles of
rugged territory, they’ve got trouble. With
that problem in mind, the Bishop sought permission— because obedience to Church
authority matters, —to have a nun represent the Church.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church
states: “According to Latin tradition, the spouses as ministers of Christ’s
grace mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing
their consent before the Church. (CCC 1623).
states: “According to Latin tradition, the spouses as ministers of Christ’s
grace mutually confer upon each other the sacrament of Matrimony by expressing
their consent before the Church. (CCC 1623).
In
reality, the priest or deacon merely witness the Catholic marriage as it is the
couple themselves when they exchange vows that performs the ceremony.”
reality, the priest or deacon merely witness the Catholic marriage as it is the
couple themselves when they exchange vows that performs the ceremony.”
“The
presence of the Church’s minister (and also of the witnesses) visibly expresses
the fact that marriage is an ecclesial reality” (CCC 1630). The Code of
Canon Law even states that lay persons can serve as witnesses where
there is a lack of priests and deacons,
presence of the Church’s minister (and also of the witnesses) visibly expresses
the fact that marriage is an ecclesial reality” (CCC 1630). The Code of
Canon Law even states that lay persons can serve as witnesses where
there is a lack of priests and deacons,
What is not all good is
that the Church has a priest shortage.
With that in mind, let us pray for an increase in the priesthood.
that the Church has a priest shortage.
With that in mind, let us pray for an increase in the priesthood.
O God, Father of all Mercies, provider of a bountiful harvest, send your graces upon those you
have called to gather the fruits of your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
have called to gather the fruits of your labor;
preserve and strengthen them in their lifelong service of you.
Open the hearts of your children
that they may discern Your Holy Will;
inspire in them a love and desire to surrender themselves to serving others in
the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.Teach all your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by your
divine word and truth.Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the angels, and saints,
humbly hear our prayers and grant your Church’s needs, through Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
the name of Your son, Jesus Christ.Teach all your faithful to follow their respective paths in life guided by your
divine word and truth.Through the intercession of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary, all the angels, and saints,
humbly hear our prayers and grant your Church’s needs, through Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
~~~~~~
For more inspiration check out Patti’s latest book: Holy Hacks: Everyday Ways to Live Your Faith & Get to Heaven. Other books include: Big Hearted: Inspiring Stories from Everyday Families and the best-selling Amazing Grace Series.
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