[VATICAN CREST OF ARMS] CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH

(Dismissal from clerical state and dispensation from clerical duties) Protocol Number 270/2008 The Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America Reverend Roy L. Bourgeois The Supreme Pontiff, Pope Benedict 16th after having heard the relation of this Congregation about the reproachful behavior1 of the above said presbyter of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (that is, The Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America), omitting preliminaries2, with a supreme decision, not open to any appeal, without right to any recourse, decreed that for the good of the Church, the dismissal from the said Society must be confirmed, and moreover, also the dismissal from clerical state must be inflicted to the above said presbyter. To the same presbyter, [the Pope] also concedes the dispensation from all the duties connected to the Sacred Order according to the following criteria: 1. The dismissal and dispensation enter into vigor from the moment of the decision of the Roman Pontiff. 2. The Decree of dismissal and of dispensation will be communicated to the presbyter by the competent Ordinary of the place, to whom it is not permitted to separate these two elements. 3. 4. The news of the dismissal and of the dispensation will be noted in the Book of the baptized of the parish of the above said presbyter. For that which concerns, should the case arise, the celebration of a canonical matrimony, the norms which have been established by Code of Canon Law are to be applied. The ordinary should ensure that the event is managed with caution without publicity.

5. The ecclesiastical authority, to whom it pertains to communicate the decree to the above mentioned priest, should exhort him assiduously so that, once [his] proud behavior has been purified, he will participate in the life of the People of God in conformity3 to his new condition, will give edification and in this way will show himself a worthy son of the Church. At the same time, he will communicate what follows: a) the dismissed priest, due to this same fact, loses the rights proper to clerical state, the dignities and ecclesiastical offices, he is no longer held to the other obligations connected with the clerical state;
1 2 3 Literally: grave mode of acting Literally: assuming that all the things that have to be stated, have been stated Literally: according to the criterion of conforming

b) he remains excluded from the exercise of the sacred ministry, except what is stated in canons 976 and 986, paragraph 2, of the Code of Canon Law and for this reason is not allowed to preach homilies, neither may he have a directive role in a pastoral environment nor serve as a parish administrator; c) similarly, he may not perform any office in Seminaries and Institutes of the same level. In other Institutes of studies of higher level which depend in any way upon the Ecclesiastical Authority, he may not perform a directive role nor a teaching office; d) indeed, in other Institutes of studies of higher level which do not depend upon the Ecclesiastical Authority he may not teach any theological discipline; e) moreover, in Institutes of studies at lower level which depend upon the ecclesiastical Authority he may not perform a directive role nor a teaching office. The dispensed and dismissed presbyter is obliged by the same law for what concerns the teaching of Religion in Institutes of any kind not depending upon the ecclesiastical Authority. 6. The Ordinary of the place, as far as possible, should ensure that the new condition of the dismissed presbyter would not give scandal to the faithful. 7. The notification of the dismissal and of the dispensation can happen either personally, through a notary or an ecclesiastical secretary or by registered letters. The dismissed priest must give back one copy duly signed as a proof of reception and at the same time of acceptance of the same dismissal and dispensation, and of the prescriptions, but if he does not do so, the effect of this Decree remain in its entirety4. 8. Moreover, at an opportune time, the competent Ordinary should report briefly to the Congregation about the completed notification, and also, should any astonishment take place among the faithful, should give a prudent explanation.

Notwithstanding anything which could be contrary [even] minimally. From the seat of the Congregation, on the day 4 of October of year 2012. + [signature] Gerhard Ludwig Mller Prefect + [signature] Aloisius Francis Ladaria, Jesuit, titular Archbishop of Thibica Secretary

Day of notification:_______________________ _________________________ Signature of the Presbyter as a sign of acceptance _______________________ Signature of the Ordinary

Literally: whole