This Priest Was Excommunicated—but His Miracles Still Worked

From Totus Catholica

You've probably heard the scandal stories: a priest falls into grave sin, another is suspended or excommunicated—and suddenly people ask, "Did my confession count? Was the Eucharist still valid?" . Some point to history and say, "Look, there were priests condemned by the church who still worked miracles. Doesn't that prove holiness doesn't matter—or that the church contradicts itself?" . This video answers honestly: your faith does not depend on the moral perfection of clergy, and that truth is actually mercy . 📌 The Church teaches that sacraments work ex opere operato ("by the work performed")—their efficacy comes from Christ's promise, not the minister's righteousness. When a priest baptises, Christ baptises; when a priest absolves, Christ absolves. St. Augustine settled this in the 4th century against the Donatists, who claimed sacraments from sinful priests were invalid. Scripture itself warns that miracles are not endorsements: Jesus says many will prophesy and cast out demons in his name, yet he "never knew them". God permits miracles through unworthy ministers for the sake of the faithful, not to approve the minister. Your salvation does not rest on another sinner's moral résumé. ✨ What You'll Discover – Why emotional fear ("Was my sacrament real?") has driven people from the Church—and how the Church answered this in the 4th century – St. Paul: Ministers are "stewards," not sources of grace – Jesus on the Pharisees (Matthew): Their authority remains real even when their lives contradict it – The Donatist crisis: St. Augustine's devastating clarity on why sacraments can't depend on the priest's soul – Scripture's warning (Matthew 7): Miracles ≠ divine approval of the person – CCC: Charisms are given for building up the Church, not as proof of personal holiness – Why holiness still matters: A holy priest doesn't make the sacrament more powerful, but makes the path to Christ less obstructed ⏳ Chapters 0:00 – The Question That Destroys Trust: "Was My Sacrament Valid?" 1:03 – The Mistake: Tying Sacramental Validity to the Minister's Virtue 2:30 – Scripture & the Early Church: Sacraments Belong to Christ 3:28 – The Donatist Crisis & St. Augustine's Answer 4:10 – Miracles Are Not Endorsements (Matthew 7) 5:18 – Pastoral Application: Your Salvation Doesn't Rest on Another Sinner 6:42 – Objection: "Does This Make Holiness Irrelevant?" 7:40 – Conclusion: Christ Guarantees the Sacraments; Priests Are Still Accountable 🌐 Stay Connected 📿 Daily Holy Hour – https://totuscatholica.org/rosary 🌍 Website – https://totuscatholica.org/ ✉️ Contact me – https://totuscatholica.org/contact 🔍 Examination of Conscience – https://catholicexaminationofconscien... 📖 Key Teaching & References – James 3:1 – Teachers judged more strictly – 1 Corinthians 4:1 – Ministers are servants and stewards, not sources of grace – Matthew 23:2,3 – The Pharisees' authority remains real even when their lives contradict it – Matthew 7:21–23 – "Many will say 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy...'" but Christ says "I never knew you" – CCC on ex opere operato – Sacraments act by the work performed; Christ is at work in them, not because of the minister's righteousness – St. Augustine vs. the Donatists – "When a priest baptises, Christ baptises; when a priest absolves, Christ absolves" – CCC on charisms – Gifts given for building up the Church, not as proof of personal holiness – 1 Corinthians 13 – "Gifts differ, but love is greater than all" 💬 Reflection Question If you discovered years later that a priest who administered a sacrament to you was later excommunicated or living in grave sin, how does this teaching give you peace—and what does it tell you about where your faith truly rests?