Vatican defrocks African archbishop for defiance

Category: International Published on Thursday, 24 December 2009 01:16 Written by Associated Press Hits: 987

VATICAN CITY (AP)—The Vatican says it has stripped charismatic African Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo of his priestly duties because he defiantly continues to ordain bishops despite already being excommunicated.

DEFROCKED—In this Jan. 29 file photo, Zambian prelate Emmanuel Milingo takes part in a TV show in Milan, Italy.

A Vatican spokesman, Rev. Ciro Benedettini, says last Thursday’s announcement of the defrocking means any future ordinations by the Zambian prelate will be considered invalid by the Catholic Church.

Milingo angered the Vatican when he got married in 2001 to a South Korean woman by Rev. Sun Myung Moon of the Unification Church. He was excommunicated in 2006 after installing four married men as bishops.

The Vatican said despite efforts by Pope Benedict XVI, Milingo shows “no sign” of repentance.

Now, the spokesman says, Milingo will not be allowed to do “anything as a priest.”