Pope Benedict XVI, a confirmed bachelor himself, came  under renewed pressure this week to ease the rule of celibacy for Roman Catholic  priests. The new president of the German national conference of bishops, Archbishop Robert Zollitsch of Freiburg, raised eyebrows by saying that the ban  on priests marrying was "not theologically necessary." Then on Tuesday,  representatives of Brazil's 18,685 Catholic priests meeting in Sao Paulo also called on the church to allow priests the option to marry. Brazil is the Catholic world's largest country, with over 270 dioceses.

The celibacy requirement is usually cited as a major cause for the acute  shortage of vocations to the priesthood. Many parishes in Europe and elsewhere  no longer have a resident priest. Pope Benedict has spoken against any  relaxation of the celibacy laws. But a senior Vatican prelate, Cardinal Claudio
Hummes, who heads the congregation (department) dealing with clergy has given  what some saw as a hint of more flexibility in the church's attitude. "Priestly  celibacy is part of Catholic history and culture, but the church can consider the question," the cardinal said. "Celibacy is not a (papal) dogma, it's a  disciplinary rule."

Any relaxation would be welcome news for the 80,000-strong organization of  married Catholic priests, many of whom continue to perform their priestly  duties despite the ban, while at the same time lobbying the Vatican and local  bishops to advance their cause.

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Dear Father Joseph Vicente Andrade,
Thank you for everything. I am following your articles in Portuguese, I understand a little. I get the substance.
 I had a good time in Italy. I worked for over 25 years in the healing service and exorcism. Going back to Italy for simple people was once more to pray for them, and preach the Gospel to them. I did both, listening to their problems and praying for their spiritual as well as physical healing. Years have passed, and now I have reached an age where I can no more conduct healing sessions for long hours. Since it was for a few days, I succeeded to go through.
 I am planning to go back after Easter. I do not know as to whether I shall fulfill all the appointments. There are already T.V. interviews awaiting me there. There is one in particular which wants me to tell my whole story on this particular channel. They want  to record my whole life. I will certainly accept the invitation.
 What of Brazil? We got the hospitality of St. Expedito Charismatic church. In the mean time we are preparing for the Visa as soon as we come from Africa, on 25th February. We shall be away as from 15th to 25th February.
 I got a letter from the Vatican telling me : 'We are not interested in you, nor in your work.' This is very serious. So the Pentecostal Charismatic churches in England are now interested in me. They wrote me the following: 'The Pentecostal Evangelical charismatic churches will appreciate you a lot more than your own roman Catholic church.' So the question of married priests does not appeal to the Vatican. We have just to embark on forming our new married priests, and recuperate as many as we can, those who are willing to take up again their Apostolate. the Roman catholic church is truly sick. 'Salus Animarum' is no more their concern. the Brazilian married priests should take this matter seriously. The church needs priests, and they are there, the married priests. We have just to take initiative and set up prayer centers.
 The people will come. Your Prayers.

Yours Sincerely,

Archbishop E. Milingo

CheongShim Villa,

176 Songsan-Ri, Seolak-Myun
Gapyung-Gun, Kyunggi Province, South Korea

in oretlabora

Your Excellencies, Most Rev. Bishops and Archbishops of the Married Priests Now Prelature and Dear Friends of the Prelature,

      Peace of Christ. You have been with me in Rome, and you have experienced the power of the Vatican. I was watched everywhere I went. On one occasion an old Priest, in his eighties called me to his residence, to share with me our common experiences in the healing ministry. The next day he was asked the reason why he had to speak with me. He answered the Vatican as follows; “We worked together with Archbishop Milingo for many years in the field of healing and exorcism. He has been a friend and is still today. As to what he is doing, he is responsible to God, not to you.”

 It was a hard going in Rome. I phoned a canonist professor, whom I had deemed an eternal friend up till that hour. Like non-stop gushing water from a pipe, he poured out all that he had in his heart. He considered my marriage a shameful flop in the history of the Roman Catholic Church. In a word, I did not only make a mess in the Church, I was a mess itself. Not that I want you to put merits on my side, but rather being fare to what was going on in my mind. I had only this to say: “Oremus pro invicem,” “let us pray for each other.” I had no chance to say anything, nor would any word from me ever be valued by him. I felt the pinch of authority. The Vatican is an AUTHORITY NEVER TO BE OPPOSED.

 The Reporters were on me. Every day I received an appeal from them. They had had three group-occasions. The first was at the airport, Fiumicino on arrival in Rome. The second was at the sanctuary of our Lady of Pompei, where I was refused communion. Then came the big day at the launching of the Book: “Milingo confessioni di uno scomunicato.” In spite of these public meetings where reporters were free to ask some questions, not all were satisfied with the common presentation of my views. They still longed to have particular questions. In all, I personally thank them. Only very few gave strange titles to their articles. Then came the magazines, the reviews, which even interfered with my free time. It was to my own advantage, though one had to be prudent, and weigh ones words at every interview. The reporters look for a word or words for their attractive titles to their readers. Most of the reporters had their interviews published in a day or two, the latest.

 One day we looked for articles in news papers. We were told that the Vatican had censured them. One appointment, which started while I was still here in Korea, as I arrived everything, was arranged. Just to be told in a few hours from execution that the higher authority had said “No, to Milingo on this TV channel.” The directors of the programme went into their skins, and were almost suffocated in them. This is the Vatican in Italy, “A POWER TO RECKON WITH.” Till one experiences what power means, he will not know it, till he feels it from the hand of the Vatican. The Vatican enjoys it to the full.

 My Apostolate Resumed

What a joy it was for me to once more be in contact with the sick. They came from far away, and from around Rome. I received them from La Spezia, Catania, Bassano, Livorno, and Caliari. I was comforted, though I disappointed many due to the fact that my stay in Rome was not given much publicity, as to where I received the people.

 I had two full days in Grisignano and Vincenza, where I said mass on Saturday and Sunday. I had a full house on Sunday, on top of listening to the individual’s problems. I did the same in Rome, more than three days.

 The simplicity of the people edified me. Some wept for the joy to see me again. Others wept for the sufferings they had, as if to say: “If you were here, I would not suffer, as I am suffering now.”

 I saw it, just as I began praying, their faces changed, with tears in their eyes. I was used to control myself at such moments, in order not to add to their sorrow. I prayed with them, as they struggled to wipe their tears. It was a consolation to them, when I assured them that I will return in two months from now.

Our mission, Married Priests Now! Prelature.

 We may be blinded by the so called strong hand of the Vatican on celibacy. We, married priests, do not need lessons on celibacy. We are living it even now. The Jesus we married at our ordination has never been divorced. He still claims on our life: “Primo occupantis.” And He surely is the first occupier of our hearts and minds. Our wives have not occupied His place. But He has occupied them in us. Together with Him we share perfect celibacy, sanctifying our conjugal union, truly becoming sacred families, totally belonging to God, in pure love.

 That beautiful story of the best fruit ever lived on earth, John the Baptist: “I tell you, of all the children born to women, there is no one greater than John.” (7:28). A fruit from a Priest family. So was Joachim and Anna, the Best human creature from them, the Blessed Virgin Mary, from a holy family. We are not ambitious; we are bringing down holiness into our life into our family life, who says that holiness comes only from celibacy? How many Roman Catholics have blindly believed even falsehood? St. Paul’s writing on married priesthood has been overlooked, when as a matter of fact he seems even to defend his own marriage. He says as follows: “To those who want to interrogate me, this is my answer. Have we not every right to eat and drink? And every right to be accompanied by a Christian wife, like the other Apostles, like the brothers of the Lord, and like Cephas?” (1 Cor. 9:4)

 In Catholic outlook of November 2007, Bishop Kevin Manning answers a question on married priesthood and celibacy: “Priestly celibacy has been guarded by the Church for centuries or a brilliant jewel and retains its value undiminished even in our time when the outlook of men and the state of the world have undergone such profound changes. “He is saying it not from the depth of his heart. He has to say it, as long as he wants to remain in the company of the birds of the same colour. A diplomat has to learn how to defend the good name of his country. So is Bishop Kevin Manning doing his job, and behaving accordingly. His words have no value, unless he plays the ignorant. Here is a question from a married priest: “If celibacy, as is said, is a special gift, would it not be unfair and capricious on the part of God to discriminate? If this charisma were essential to the priesthood, would it not be fair that all who are called would be gifted with it?” (Fr. Fausto Marinnetti)

 How could God call 150,000 married priests, just to let them be laughed at, humiliated and ridiculed as they failed to hold on to celibacy? Should we say that God permits them, making scandals in the world? Then God plays with human beings. If the answer is “no,” then there is something wrong with the Church, which is playing a dirty game.

 Ours is a divine task to stop sinning in the Catholic Church in the name of celibacy. While gayship is not a sin in the Vatican, we know that the Bible is out-right against it.

In the Jane Paulick interview in Germany with His Eminence Karl Cardinal Lehmann, We read the following on celibacy in the Church: “The reason why the percentage of homosexuals in the Vatican is so high is because all that matters is that none of the Bishops have a record of relationships with women… Christianity has become reduced to a credo of celibacy.”

We will all end up adding to the creed: “I believe in celibacy.” It is the only hinge to which the Roman Catholic Church is holding to as essential to its existence.

Archbishop E. Milingo

Archbishop E. Milingo

 02/02/2008

CheongShim Villa South Korea