Catholic hierarchy ‘satisfied’ with excommunication ruling

THE Roman Catholic Archdiocese has expressed satisfaction with a High Court decision, which declares that Father Gert Petrus has been excommunicated and is not allowed to live or preach at the St Mary’s Help of Christians parish in Khomasdal.

In a statement issued by Vicar General Franz Houben, the Archdiocese said the situation in the parish had become lamentable. The church hierarchy believes the High Court decision is a step towards resolving the situation.The dispute between the priest and the Archdiocese left the parish so bitterly divided that at times it sparked fears of violence.Houben’s statement said the Roman Catholic Church viewed an appeal to civil authority as a last resort.”The Church desires to solve its problems domestically and in a spirit of reconciliation – this of course is the ideal,” he added.Despite Monday’s High Court order, Petrus remains adamant that the onus rests with the Archdiocese to prove the allegations against him.”What happened to a person is innocent until proven guilty? They have accused me, crucified me and pronounced me guilty and now this [excommunication] is the harshest punishment,” Petrus said.The priest did not get his day in court after his legal representatives withdrew from the case because they could not contact Petrus to sign documents that had to be submitted to the court in his defence.Petrus was in South Africa.As far as can be established, it is the first time in Namibia that a priest has been declared excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.Both Vicar General Houben and Father Petrus believe right is on their side.Approached by The Namibian yesterday, Houben maintained that neither the court nor the church had excommunicated Petrus.On the contrary, he argued, Petrus had “excommunicated himself”.”By his own actions Father Petrus has put himself outside the church.He himself has excommunicated himself,” said Houben.”The court only confirmed that through his actions, he is now outside the church”.Houben said a State court had no jurisdiction to excommunicate anybody from church.The court order sought by the church reads that it [the court] “declare that the respondent [Petrus] be excommunicated from the applicant [Roman Catholic Church].”Houben said the Archdiocese had approached the State court because Petrus had allegedly refused to meet with the church hierarchy to discuss allegations levelled against him.”Until he is prepared to talk to us, what can we do?” said Houben.Houben maintained that Petrus had been given “many opportunities” to defend himself, and that the “door is always open for him to show repentance”.Although excommunicated, a priest remains one throughout his life.He may, however, not partake of or administer the sacraments of the church.Petrus said yesterday that by accusing him of practising witchcraft “all the faithful had been scandalised” and “his dignity had been offended”.He said he had the right to have his reputation respected and would pursue legal action against the church for tarnishing his name.Petrus maintained that the church had never invited him in writing to discuss the allegations against him.Houben said reconciliatory efforts to bring the parish together would continue and that the church would remain open for services.Much of the rift has been caused by parishioners taking sides for and against the removal of Petrus from the parish.As a result, Archbishop Liborius Nashenda locked the church for nearly eight months.The church hierarchy believes the High Court decision is a step towards resolving the situation.The dispute between the priest and the Archdiocese left the parish so bitterly divided that at times it sparked fears of violence.Houben’s statement said the Roman Catholic Church viewed an appeal to civil authority as a last resort.”The Church desires to solve its problems domestically and in a spirit of reconciliation – this of course is the ideal,” he added.Despite Monday’s High Court order, Petrus remains adamant that the onus rests with the Archdiocese to prove the allegations against him.”What happened to a person is innocent until proven guilty? They have accused me, crucified me and pronounced me guilty and now this [excommunication] is the harshest punishment,” Petrus said.The priest did not get his day in court after his legal representatives withdrew from the case because they could not contact Petrus to sign documents that had to be submitted to the court in his defence.Petrus was in South Africa.As far as can be established, it is the first time in Namibia that a priest has been declared excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church.Both Vicar General Houben and Father Petrus believe right is on their side.Approached by The Namibian yesterday, Houben maintained that neither the court nor the church had excommunicated Petrus.On the contrary, he argued, Petrus had “excommunicated himself”.”By his own actions Father Petrus has put himself outside the church.He himself has excommunicated himself,” said Houben.”The court only confirmed that through his actions, he is now outside the church”.Houben said a State court had no jurisdiction to excommunicate anybody from church.The court order sought by the church reads that it [the court] “declare that the respondent [Petrus] be excommunicated from the applicant [Roman Catholic Church].”Houben said the Archdiocese had approached the State court because Petrus had allegedly refused to meet with the church hierarchy to discuss allegations levelled against him.”Until he is prepared to talk to us, what can we do?” said Houben.Houben maintained that Petrus had been given “many opportunities” to defend himself, and that the “door is always open for him to show repentance”.Although excommunicated, a priest remains one throughout his life.He may, however, not partake of or administer the sacraments of the church.Petrus said yesterday that by accusing him of practising witchcraft “all the faithful had been scandalised” and “his dignity had been offended”.He said he had the right to have his reputation respected and would pursue legal action against the church for tarnishing his name.Petrus maintained that the church had never invited him in writing to discuss the allegations against him.Houben said reconciliatory efforts to bring the parish together would continue and that the church would remain open for services.Much of the rift has been caused by parishioners taking sides for and against the removal of Petrus from the parish.As a result, Archbishop Liborius Nashenda locked the church for nearly eight months.