Priests, seminarians must conform to Malta bishops’ guidelines on communion or face consequences
Seminarians and priests in Malta who are not in line with the bishops' interpretation of Amoris Laetitia are under pressure to conform.
A set of certain “criteria” for the interpretation of chapter 8 of the Apostolic Exhortation was given as guidelines for implementing Amoris Laetitia, allowing civilly remarried divorcees to receive Communion.
The Archbishop of Malta confirmed to the National Catholic Register
that he told seminarians that “the seminary gate is open” if they do
not agree with the bishops and, accordingly, with the Pope. With his
reproach of his seminarians, Archbishop Charles Scicluna made it clear
that whoever does not comply with the bishops’ line of interpreting Amoris Laetitia may leave the seminary.
The two bishops of Malta, Archbishop Scicluna and Bishop
Mario Grech of Gozo, have implemented guidelines in their dioceses that
allow civilly remarried divorced Catholics to receive Communion in a
move widely perceived as “disastrous.”
The bishops have insisted that there is a primacy of
conscience over objective truth in the discernment of the individual and
have urged people to go to Communion if they are “at peace with God,”
according to the guidelines or “criteria” published.
Priests and seminarians now feel bullied into going against
their conscience by being forced to give Holy Communion to people in
adulterous relationships.
The bishops’ remarks surfaced only after several websites
recently reported rumors that they threatened to suspend priests from
celebrating Mass unless they give Communion to the “remarried.” These
allegations were previously denied by Bishop Grech.
Since the publication of the guidelines, numerous priests in Malta have contacted the National Catholic Register alleging that their bishops won’t tolerate clergy who have a different interpretation of Amoris Laetitia than the one presented by the bishops, the Register’s Edward Pentin reported.
Three priests are enforcing the bishops’ line and are
intimidating anyone “who does not agree with the criteria.” “The three
had been opponents of the previous bishop, Archbishop Paul Cremona, but
have now become the present bishops’ allies. One of them reputedly
attacks any priest who shares critical stories on the Internet,” Pentin
writes.
These developments are emblematic of the close-mindedness
that certain groups have been practicing while pushing the changes
introduced by the ambiguity of Amoris Laetitia in their fields
of influence. No theological opinion or dialogue is accepted or even
welcome except input from priests that are “like-minded.”
Edward Pentin reports: “At a meeting with Malta’s priests
on Feb. 14, Archbishop Scicluna appealed for understanding, saying he
had no choice in co-signing the guidelines. In conscience, he could not
go against the wishes of the Pope. He admitted it was a mistake not to
consult the nation’s clergy on the Criteria before they were released,
alluding to the fact that they wanted to be the first Bishops’
Conference to do so.”
Another factor adding to the feeling of abandonment and harassment of
the clergy is the lack of a Nuncio in Malta. Archbishop Mario Cessary
has been unable to work because of a lengthy illness. Although a head of
mission is acting as his substitute, the clergy lacks any possibility
of appeal in case of a clash with the bishops.