Pope Francis removes dissident priest

Pope Francis
| credits: File copy

Pope Francis has ordered the excommunication of a Catholic priest in Australia who illicitly said Mass and taught that women should be ordained priests and advocated for “gay marriage.”

An Archdiocese of Melbourne spokesman said the Pope had ordered the removal of Father Greg Reynolds, who has also been dismissed from the clerical state, the Australian Associated Press reports.

Australian  newspaper, The Age reported that Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne said the excommunication was due to the priest’s public celebration of Mass without faculties to do so, and his preaching contrary to the teachings of the Church.

The letter announcing the penalty, written in Latin, was dated May 31, 2013.

Excommunication is a canonical penalty intended to warn and correct those who commit grave offenses against the Church. Priests who are excommunicated may not receive or celebrate the sacraments.

Reynolds said he expected to be dismissed from the clerical state, but not excommunicated. He said he was told that Archbishop Hart did not apply for dismissal from the clerical state, but that someone else contacted the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.