3/26/2021
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| A. Lorenzetti, "Nicholas" |
Nullo 10b: Violations
The bishop should propose to the SRC, as part of his investigation, what canonical penalties he intends to impose on the priest in the case of guilt. The bishop, lastly, having sent the file to the SRC will wait for the mandates of the SRC in response.
Nullo 10c: Penalties
The SRC urges bishops particularly to consider “deeply” the canonical penalties against the parish priest who is guilty of neglecting the guarding of the MBS “even though his fault fall short of the actual violation of the MBS.”
Let’s go slowly here. This “even though” clause makes sense because the law itself provides for the case of actual violation of the MBS with the strictest penalties. SRC is asking bishops to consider “neglect” not “actual violation.”
SRC instructs bishops firstly to consider “the end of the law”—the salvation of souls. SRC gives the necessary faculties to the bishops, insofar as it may be necessary to impose the canonical penalties.
SRC preempts as insufficient the allegation in defense of the priest himself, that some other priest was to blame for the carelessness. The burden of the care of the MBS falls squarely on the Pastors and Rectors themselves.
