PUBLIC CANONICAL ADMONITION ISSUED TO ARCHBISHOP MILINGO

VATICAN CITY, JUL 17, 2001 (VIS) - Following is the complete text of the Notification regarding Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo which was issued today by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Dated July 16, 2001, it was signed by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect, and Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., secretary.

"The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, after mature reflection and by mandate of the Supreme Pontiff, and fulfilling its responsibility for protecting faith and morals in the life of the Church, finds itself obliged to proceed in accordance with Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law in order to protect the faithful from the serious harm caused by the recent behavior of the Most Reverend Emmanuel Milingo, archbishop emeritus of Lusaka.

"The said congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:

"1. noting the grave public conduct and statements where the archbishop has attempted an asserted 'matrimonial union' with the Korean Maria Sung, has adhered to the sect of the Reverend Sun Myung Moon called the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and has failed in communion with the Successor of Peter and the College of Bishops;

"2. having verified the impossibility of communicating with Archbishop Milingo in order to invite him to reflect on the grave consequences of his conduct and actions, to make amends for the scandal given and to reform;

"3. communicates to Archbishop Milingo, in accordance with the above-mentioned Canon 1347, para 1 of the Code of Canon Law, the following public canonical admonition:

"a. to separate from Maria Sung;
"b. to sever all links with the sect, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification;
"c. to declare publicly his fidelity to the doctrine and ecclesiastical discipline of celibacy and to manifest his obedience to the Supreme Pontiff by a clear and unequivocal act.

"Should Archbishop Milingo not formally act by August 20, 2001 to fulfill what is hereby required of him, excommunication reserved to the Holy See will be imposed.

"The Church, obliged as she is to proceed to this painful action for the good of the faithful, does not cease to pray to the Lord, the Good Shepherd, for the desired return of the Archbishop to the embrace of the Church and the common Father."

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