The catechetical session of Monday March 4th 2024 by His Lordship Michael Bibi, which held at the Holy Family Parish in Limbe, focused on the factors that lead to losing the clerical state, and the hierarchical structure of the Church. Making clarifications on how a cleric: ordained deacons, priests and Bishops , can loss the clerical State, the Teacher Bishop Michael Bibi, explained that once ordained as a cleric, the sacramental character can never be lost but the cleric can be deprived of his functions and when this is done, he losses the clerical state.
Catechesis at Holy Family parish, Limbe
The Chief Shepherd further highlighted the many ways in which clerics can loss the clerical state amongst which he noted that the state can be lost if: the cleric is not a male, not baptized or if the baptism was invalid, had no intention of receiving the sacrament of Holy orders, in the case where the cleric abuses a minor or a vulnerable adult, when the cleric stays out of his diocese unlawfully for more than a period of six months, if the cleric declares in writing to the Holy Father his intentions of leaving the clerical state and if the Bishop writes to dismiss the cleric among others.
participants
However, losing the clerical state it was emphasized does not automatically dispense the cleric from the vow of celibacy. To devoir this vow, the person must write to the Holy Father who gives the dispensation from the vow of celibacy.
students take part in catechesis.
Teaching on the hierarchical constitution of the church, the prelate told Christians that by receiving the sacrament of Baptism, members become part of the people of God possessing the same right and dignity. From these members, some are called to become deacons, priests and Bishops, who constitute the hierarchy of the Church. It is worth noting that after the hierarchy of the church, is the laity.
parish priest in attendance
In addition, the Bishop elucidated that the Holy Father is the supreme successor of the Saint Peter and the Holy Father together with the Bishops, are the successors of the Apostles.
Despite belonging to the church’s hierarchy, these clerics it was emphasized must not act as dictators but rather, are charged with the responsibilities to render services to God in the spirit of communion.
