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In the Catholic Church, imposing a life of prayer and penance is a type of penalty used to punish clergy for crimes and misconduct. It is typically imposed on elderly priests as opposed to younger priests, who may face harsher penalties.[1]
Description
It is similar to house arrest and while implementation of the penalty may vary, it usually includes banning the person from public ministry and limiting his interactions with others.[2] It may also involve restricting or altogether denying access to telephones or televisions.[1]
For example, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, Cardinal Justin Rigali established a program for clergy sentenced to lifetime of prayer and penance that prohibits them from celebrating Mass publicly, administering the sacraments, wearing clerical garb, or presenting themselves as priests; and they are monitored full-time by a former probation officer.[3] Violations of the restrictions may result in full dismissal from the clerical status.[1] According to canonist Damián Astigueta, the majority of priests who agree to abide by the life of prayer and penance "want to be helped and recognize that this penalty is a table of salvation for them."[1]
See also
References
- What does it actually mean for a priest to be ‘laicized’? (Catholic News Agency)
- McCarrick removed from the priesthood after being found guilty of abuse (Catholic News Service)
- "Office for Clergy PRAYER AND PENANCE PROGRAM" (PDF). Archdiocese of Philadelphia. 2012-07-09. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2019-02-16.