Illicit ordination announced for banished NZ priest

Fr Michael Mary, superior general of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, intends to be ordained bishop on Papa Stronsay, Scotland, in late July, without papal approval.

Aberdeen Bishop Hugh Gilbert OSB, who originally helped the congregation gain legitimacy in the Church and allowed them to operate in his diocese, confirmed this would be “unlawful and a grave act of disobedience”.

“This ordination would be celebrated without a papal mandate, by a group of bishops who deny that Our Holy Father Pope Leo XIV is actually the Pope,” he said.

“No member of the faithful should attend. This action is not ‘for the good of the Catholic Church’ as is falsely claimed,” he said in a statement to parishioners.

“This development is greatly to be regretted, and we can only pray that those concerned have a change of heart.”

The ordination announcement was made by Msgr Pierre Roy, a Canadian bishop who operates outside of the Catholic Church. He said Fr Mary would live primarily in New Zealand.

Fr Mary is being investigated by Archbishop Gilbert for “heresy and schism” and may face disciplinary action in Aberdeen.

A spokesperson for the Catholic Diocese of Christchurch said the illicit ordination would not change any local decrees, which remain in force.

The group’s professed members, including Fr Mary, were ordered to leave Canterbury following a Vatican investigation into abuse allegations. The findings are sealed and the Sons have denied wrongdoing.

Two priests and a subdeacon recently left the order’s Papa Stronsay monastery, Scottish newspaper The Press and Journal reported.

FULL STORY

Priest expected to return to New Zealand as an illicit Bishop despite order to leave Canterbury (By Sinead Gill/The Press – subscription required)

Statement on the Proposed Episcopal Consecration of Father Michael Mary (Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen)

Leader of the The Sons to unlawfully declare himself bishop (Press and Journal)