Pope Francis has lifted the canonical punishments of Nicaraguan priest Ernesto Cardenal after 35 years of being suspended by Pope John Paul II. Here we would like to send you some information regarding the circumstances that led to Father Cardenal's punishment.
Father Ernesto was suspended, or popularly known as the chalice, by Pope John Paul II in 1984 for violating Catholic canon law regarding political participation. Article 285, paragraph 3, reads: “Clerical clerics are prohibited from holding public offices that involve participation in the exercise of civil power.”
The Church interprets the “exercise of civil rights” as political positions related to the legislative, judicial, and executive systems. This has no exception rule.
Father Ernesto was a poet and activist of Marxist liberation theology. He actively collaborated with the revolutionary movement Sandinista National Liberation Front, ending the dictatorship of President Anastasio Somoza. Father was appointed Minister of Culture on the same day the Sandinista Party won on July 19, 1979, and continued to hold this position until 1987.
During that time, several other priests were also suspended for the same reason, including his brother, the Jesuit priest Fernando. Father Fernando left politics in 1990 and was re-admitted to the Jesuits in 1997.
The period of the 1960s in Latin America with poverty and the huge gap between the rich and the poor gave rise to the liberation theology movement in the Church. Liberation theologians read and interpret the Bible and the truths of the faith from the perspective of the oppressed poor, longing to be freed from social injustice.
Liberation theologians have provided unique perspectives and interpretations of the truths of the faith; contribute greatly to the rich treasure of the history of theology and to the living tradition of the Church.
However, the Holy See often notes to theologians of this school, that while it is true that Christ may be called the liberator, he liberates the whole person, especially the spiritual one, not the whole person. not only physically and socially.
The application of Marxist views in social analysis is also suspected of being one-sided, not fully describing the reality of human society. The emancipationist view that favors class struggle is also suspected of causing more pain and evil than being colored by the liberating grace that comes from Christ.
During his difficult visit to Nicaragua, on March 4, 1983 at Managua airport, Pope John Paul II refused Father Ernesto to kiss his ring and the Holy Father repeated loudly twice: “I must make a marriage.” that is to obey the law of the Church.” The picture of Pope John Paul II looking, with his finger pointed sternly at Father Ernesto, then kneeling and smiling, became famous around the world. After repeated warnings by the Vatican but without success, a few months later, the dismissal of Father Ernesto was brought.
Currently, Father Ernesto Cardenal is 94 years old, sick and being treated at Managua Hospital. On February 18, Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, Apostolic Nuncio to Nicaragua, issued a statement stating that “Pope Francis with mercy removed the canonical penalties imposed on priest Ernesto Cardenal, accepting petition was sent recently through the Apostolic Vicar in Nicaragua for permission to resume the priestly ministry.”
Archbishop Sommertag did not say exactly when the suspension was lifted. But Auxiliary Bishop of Manugua, Silvio Jose Baez mentioned this when he took a picture with Father Cardenal and tweeted it on February 15. Bishop Silvio wrote, “Today I visit my priest friend at the hospital, Father Ernesto Cardenal. I spoke to you a few minutes ago. After praying with him, I knelt beside his bed and asked for his blessing as a priest of the Catholic Church. He happily agreed.”
In 2017, in an interview, Mr. Cardenal said that the hanger was still there and he didn't care if it was removed. However, the release announcing the release mentioned that his stance has changed since that 2017 interview.
The Apostolic Nuncio has visited Father Ernesto several times in recent weeks. The nuncio revealed that, on February 2, at Father Ernesto's house, after a deep, sincere and open private conversation for about half an hour, he was expressed by Father Ernesto's wish to receive the mission again. priest service.
Last year Father Ernesto Cardenal was hospitalized for treatment. Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, Apostolic Nuncio to Nicaragua, informed Pope Francis of his condition and with mercy, Pope Francis released him from the Order.
The historic photo was taken on February 18. Father Ernesto was old and in his hospital bed, wearing a blue stola to celebrate Mass. Archbishop Sommertag concelebrated the special Mass with the priest who celebrated the first Mass in 35 years.
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________________________Explain some more words- 1. Marxism or Marxism (transliterated from Marxist) is a system of philosophical, historical and political economic doctrines based on the works of Karl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895).
2. Liberation theology began to take shape in the late 1960s in the Roman Catholic Church in Latin America. This theology offers a new view that the church has a responsibility to help people free themselves from the poverty and injustice that are happening and especially prevalent in Third World countries.
Source: Gx. Can Gio – DCCT
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