Schism Incoming - Bishop of Antwerp, Belgium, Officially Declares Intention to Ordained Married Priests

Let us hope (and PRAY) that Rome considers it a schismatic act, and not as a way to introduce married Priests into the Latin Rite as an ordinary thing.

From Rorate Cæli

Pope Leo XIV has a Church agitated by strong centrifugal forces throughout the world.

In Flanders, Bishop Johan Bonny included these words on the implementation of the synodal process (published exactly one month ago) in the diocese of Antwerp wherein he explicitly states that he intends to ordain married men:

"When I visit parishes or pastoral unities, I regularly meet people whom the community would consider to be a good priest. Just as I myself know several co-workers who would be well suited as candidates for ordination. For these reasons, I will make every effort to ordain married men as priests for our diocese by 2028. I will approach them personally and ensure that by then they have the necessary theological training and pastoral experience, comparable to that of other priest candidates. This preparation will be transparent but discreet, away from the media spotlight. The next two years will also serve to ensure the necessary communication and arrangements, both with the Belgian Bishops' Conference and with the Vatican, as we can learn from each other's experiences and insights." (p.7)

In an interview for the official Flemish Catholic news outlet Otheo, he claims that he is doing this "out of pastoral necessity.” 

Answering the question "Aren't you being a lone rider?" He answers:

Johan Bonny: ‘Not at all. In football terms, I consider myself a midfielder. I want to bring the ball forward so that a striker can kick it into the goal. We have been in extra time for too long. There are regions where there are no priests left. We are entering a situation of pastoral emergency. For many bishops, ordaining married men has become a matter of conscience. The way things are going now, we really won’t make it anymore.’

Other 'usual suspects' in Bonny’s arguments include the ordination of women, where he writes: 

"For our diocese, I will take further steps in the development of an ecclesial ministry that is equally accessible to men and women, and that gives them an equal share in both the pastoral and administrative service of the Church. Terminologically, we can best speak of the ministry of‘pastor’, as is customary in Dutch language. The Final Document provides for the possibility that bishops may work on new ‘formally established ministries." (p.5)

(Sources: Synodal Plan, in Dutch; interview, in Dutch) 

Tip:V.L.

Pictured: His Lordship Johan Bonny, Bishop of Antwerp