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CajunRick
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Posted: Fri Sep 28th, 2007 03:31 pm |
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Little Rock, AR, Sep 27, 2007 / 02:17 pm (CNA).- In its 165 years of existence, the Diocese of Little Rock had never experienced its members being excommunicated, that is, until recently. Six sisters in Hot Springs, Arkansas were automatically excommunicated due to their participation in the Community of the Lady of All Nations, or more commonly called, the Army of Mary.
The group, which was founded in Quebec, Canada is known for elevating the Virgin Mary to the status of God, and the belief that their founder is “possesed by Mary."
"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued the declaration of excommunication on July 11, after extensive consultations with the Canadian bishops and the Vatican’s Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. Pope Benedict XVI approved the declaration, which was only announced by the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops on Sept. 12. CNA coverage here http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=10381
A Vatican official stated that the “association is no longer considered a Catholic organization because of its false teachings on the Trinity and Mary.”
Excommunication excludes members from “communion” within the Church. The members are not able to lead the Liturgy (if they are priests), receive the Eucharist or partake in other sacraments.
According to Arkansas Catholic, "They will no longer have any sacraments. We removed (the Blessed Sacrament) from the premises last night," Monsignor Herbert, archdiocese administrator, reported.
Although they cannot receive Communion, they are encouraged to attend Mass, he said.
According to the Arkansas Democratic Gazette, Monsignor J. Gaston Hebert, the diocesan administrator, said he notified the sisters of the decision Tuesday night after they refused to recant the group’s teachings.
“This is a painfully historic moment for us and the church,” he said.
The sisters, many who became involved with the community 20-30 years ago, say that they will continue to live in the convent, and strive to do God’s work.
“We want to do God’s will, and we believe we are Catholic,” said the 82-year-old Dionne, the assistant superior of the convent. “Even though they say we are not Catholic, this is not true,” said Dionne.
The Army of Mary was established by Marie Paul Giguere in 1971 after she began receiving visions from God. However, in 1987, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, ruled that two books the group used taught “erroneous doctrines”, and subsequently the groups was investigated for heretical teachings.
“When something comes up, particularly within the church, that contradicts or would add to or subtract from things which we believe to be the inspired word of God, we are going to be very vigilant,” Monsignor Hebert said. “Whether it is too liberal, whether it is too conservative, if it is opposed to the teachings of Jesus Christ as expressed through the Scripture and the Church, [then] that is heresy.”
Though they are excommunicated, the sisters can still receive the sacraments in extreme circumstances such as Last Rites. They are also allowed to attend Mass and can return to “full communion with the Church” if they renounce the movement’s teachings.
“They are still Catholic,” said McAllister, Chancellor of the diocese. “We are always ready for them to rejoin communion with the church.”
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mrsbill
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| Joined: | Tue Dec 5th, 2006 |
| Location: | Deltona, Florida USA |
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| First Name: | Nora | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Lutheran & Baptist backgrounds, currently on the Road to Rome! |
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Posted: Fri Sep 28th, 2007 03:58 pm |
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Thanks Rick. I have just sent out an email with this news story to all the members of my family who I have heard say that "Catholics worship Mary." Hopefully it will help open their eyes to the truth...
I wanted to send it to more people (outside the family) who say this, but I was afraid to ruffle feathers.  Maybe I will get the courage to send it shortly.
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Kayla
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| Joined: | Mon Jul 30th, 2007 |
| Location: | Emmitsburg, Maryland USA |
| Posts: | 369 |
| First Name: | Kayla | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Atheist, kind-of Mormon, Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Sep 28th, 2007 04:40 pm |
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| So, if any of these sisters wished to rejoin communion with the Church, what that require of them? I mean, if they are denied the Sacraments, they can't go to Confession- must they publicly recant their beliefs and then would they be allowed back to Confession?
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I believe, Lord, help my unbelief.
Jesus, I trust in You!
There's not a lot of job security for us after death. I suppose that's one advantage of being a philosopher. - Peter Kreeft
http://kayla23mount.blogspot.com/
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BettyBoopToo
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| Joined: | Mon Oct 9th, 2006 |
| Location: | Camas/Washougal, Washington USA |
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| First Name: | Betty | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Fist Baptist/Calvary Babtist/Secular Confusion/ Roman Catholic |
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Posted: Fri Sep 28th, 2007 04:56 pm |
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Thank you Rick for sharing this article.
It's a bit disappointing with the sisters, but I'm very thankful the chuch took a stand and has taken action. It is such as these who fuel the fire of our separated brothers & sisters and further the distance between us.
Nora
I think I'm going to keep the article and use it for the next opportunity of the Mary Worship topic too.
Betty
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Patience
"Whenever anything disagreeable or displeasing happens to you, remember Christ crucified and be silent."
St. John of the Cross
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Darlene
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| Location: | Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania USA |
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| First Name: | Darlene | | Gender: | Female | | Faith History: | Christian, trusting His love and forgiveness |
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Posted: Fri Sep 28th, 2007 07:57 pm |
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Next in line to be excommunicated should be Bishop Tod Brown and the rest of the heretics out there in the Orange County Diocese. I think a Halloween mass, with an altar server dressed up like a devil is a bit of an abuse, don't you think? And this is just one of many abuses. This bishop and the rest of the liberal priests out there are bringing scandal upon the Catholic Church and nothing is being done about it.
Darlene
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The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. II Corinthians 13:14
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CajunRick
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Posted: Sat Sep 29th, 2007 04:54 pm |
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Kayla wrote: So, if any of these sisters wished to rejoin communion with the Church, what that require of them? I mean, if they are denied the Sacraments, they can't go to Confession- must they publicly recant their beliefs and then would they be allowed back to Confession?
The order of excommunication would specify the path they must take. In danger of death, any priest can give absolution.
Let me clarify that any person may go "to confession" but those who have been excommunicated may not receive sacramental absolution except from the official who excommunicated him or his successor or superior. For example, if a person is excommunicated by a bishop, only that bishop or the pope can lift the excommunication. A different bishop cannot. That prevents people from "shopping" bishops to find one more accomodating.
There are exceptions. If a person is excommunicated unreasonably, a different bishop may obtain permission from the Vatican to overrule the original bishop. If a person is living in a different diocese when he repents, the bishop of that diocese may communicate with the original bishop and request permission, etc. But in general, only the person who originally issues the excommunication may lift it.
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