Archbishop Milingo thanks the media and corrects the Dan Brown story

My Dear friends, broadcasters and journalists, I too am a mass media person. I thank you for your honest reports in the papers and on television about our young organization, Married Priests Now!

You may be interested to hear my personal reaction to the reaffirmation by the Vatican of celibacy for Roman Catholic Priests. Our organization also reaffirms the married priesthood in the same Roman Catholic Church. The celibate priests imitate St. John the Evangelist, while we imitate the rest of the Apostles who were married. There was no distinction in Jesus’ mind, they were all Apostles and equally consecrated as priests when He celebrated with them the first Mass of the Institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday. On Pentecost day, they were all and equally confirmed by the Holy Spirit to go and preach the Gospel, cast out devils, and heal the sick. There was no preference as Jesus related to each one of them as Apostles. He said it Himself as He was offering the last prayer to His Father, that He was happy that He lost none except one, whom you all know.

I hereby reiterate the fact that people should not believe that we are excommunicated. Look what is happening now as the Vatican is refurbishing the traditionalist Archbishop Lefebvre’s footsteps, and approves again the Latin Mass, celebrated facing the altar. What does excommunication mean?

We shall find a way to occupy our married priests, who want to resume the priestly ministry, without much ado. By marrying they did not commit an unforgivable sin. Celibacy is not a divine law, nor is it part of the infallibility of the Pope. It is totally based on man’s will. It is not divine.

Milingo’s Repentance

The Milingo conceived by some people is the one they expect to repent. The same Milingo who was not understood in his healing ministry, is the same who is not understood even in this case. If the Vatican ardently believes the people who say that he has a consulting contract with Dan Brown, even though Milingo says he does not know Dan Brown, never spoke to him, never met him, never read his book, never saw the film, “Da Vinci Code.”  Such people suffer from fixations.

I invite anyone who is so cock sure that what I am doing for married priests is wrong, to come forward.  We will discuss this together with our hands on the Holy Bible before God. We can even do it by telephone, but I will not be responsible for the consequences.  My voice in contact with your voice, and we will not finish our conversation before we reach a resolution. 
Archibishop E. Milingo