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The Archbishop of Mbarara, His Grace Lambert Bainomugisha, has introduced stringent terms for Roman Catholic priests who violate celibacy vows and father children. This move, although not explicitly stated, appears to be a response to the increasing incidents of priests fathering children within the diocese, a trend that Archbishop Lambert is determined to address.
Since assuming office in 2020, Archbishop Lambert has been known for his strict approach towards priests deemed to be underperforming or engaging in inappropriate behavior. Under his leadership, priests, and even deacons, have faced disciplinary actions for failing to meet the expected standards. This departure from the previous administration, characterized by greater leniency, reflects Archbishop Lambert’s commitment to upholding discipline and professionalism within the clergy.
In particular, Archbishop Lambert is focusing on priests and nuns who continue to have children despite their vow of celibacy. Some nuns have reportedly been confined to convents, while priests have been instructed to take responsibility for their children’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and financial support. Additionally, priests are required to officially register one of their children with the diocese for inheritance purposes, reflecting the Archbishop’s desire for transparency and accountability.
While Archbishop Lambert’s directives may seem stringent, they are aimed at addressing the evolving challenges faced by the Catholic Church regarding celibacy and parenthood among clergy. The issue of priests fathering children is not unique to Mbarara Archdiocese but is a global phenomenon that the Church must confront. The Vatican itself has acknowledged the existence of guidelines for dealing with such cases, underscoring the seriousness of the issue.
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Vincent Doyle, the founder of Coping International, a support group for children of priests, has been instrumental in raising awareness about this issue. Doyle’s personal experience of discovering his biological father was a priest led him to advocate for greater acknowledgment and support for children of clergy members. The Vatican’s internal guidelines, revealed to Doyle by Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic, provide insight into the Church’s approach to addressing this sensitive issue.
While the Vatican’s guidelines emphasize the protection of the child and encourage priests to assume parental responsibilities, they stop short of mandating the dismissal of priests who father children. Instead, the decision to leave the priesthood is presented as a request that priests may choose to fulfill voluntarily. However, failure to comply with this request may result in dismissal from the priesthood, according to Monsignor Andrea Ripa of the Congregation for the Clergy.
Pope Francis has also addressed the issue, emphasizing the importance of a priest prioritizing his parental responsibilities over his ministerial duties. While there is no explicit canonical law mandating the dismissal of priests for fathering children, the Church’s stance underscores the complexity of balancing celibacy with parenthood within the clergy.
The experiences of individuals like Erik Zattoni, who discovered his paternity through a DNA test and pursued legal action against his father, highlight the profound impact of this issue on individuals and families. Despite the challenges, individuals like Linda Lawless, who used DNA testing to uncover her biological father’s identity, are finding empowerment through seeking truth and validation.
The implementation of strict terms by Mbarara Archdiocese reflects the ongoing dialogue within the Catholic Church regarding celibacy and parenthood among clergy members. While the Church grapples with these complex issues, the experiences of individuals like Doyle, Zattoni, and Lawless underscore the need for greater transparency, support, and accountability within the clergy to address the realities of contemporary society.
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