Peace of Christ, and greetings from Washington, DC. Our meeting is over. I am certain that you have heard through TV, Radio or newspaper all that we have discussed together. Our document, the conclusion of the meeting from 12th to 14th July, 2006, has been diffused on 165 English newspapers, 110 Italian papers. We know that many other languages have as well given ample space in their papers. We owe them all a big thank you.

A few have taken it upon themselves to threaten us with excommunication or laicization. These are words which are obsolete after Vatican II. Nor can they be used for our case, because we are not quarrelling with anyone. We are stating facts which are pungent in the lives of married priests. Excommunication-laicization are terms of unnecessary threats which we consider, as the Lord says “Using old bottles for new wine.” Only a stingy person will do so. But he will lose clients later on when they will know that he uses old bottles for new wine.

The married priests now are always priests. They have an indelible priestly character, “according to the order of Melchizedech, the eternal priest.” This indelible character cannot be ‘excommunicated or laicized.’ So is Jesus the Eternal Priest, He too according to the order of Melchizedek. “No one takes this honor upon himself but only when called by God, just as Aaron was. In the same way it was not Christ who glorified Himself in becoming High Priest, but rather the one who said to Him: :You are my son; this day I have begotten you; “ just as He says in another place: “you are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 5:4-6). This truth of the indelible character of priesthood is as well repeated to us every Holy Thursday.

Our glance at a priest must not stop on how he looks as we see him as a human being. He is a valuable person before God and before the Holy people of God. St. Ambrose puts it well when he says: “You saw the Levite there, you saw the priest, you saw the High Priest. Do not consider their outward appearance, but the grace of their ministries. It was in the presence of Angels that you spoke, as it is written: ‘the lips of a priest guard knowledge and men seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the angel of the Lord of Hosts.’” (Roman Breviary: St. Ambrose on Mysteries)

My dear brothers, married priests, it is true that through a long period of dispassion, despair and many other aspects of your suffering you have been inclined that you became unwanted by the church. But now once more through this circular you have been evaluated from the nature of your priesthood. Those of you who are able to gather together into threes or fives, please pray together as priests’ families or celebrate Mass together. Bring back Jesus in your midst and in your community. Be available if a local diocese asks for your priestly services. God bless you and be with you.

Yours sincerely,

Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo.