Progressive Catholics in the Valley point to a Friday article from the
Baltimore Sun in which a Catholic priest has been disciplined for allegedly officiating at a funeral Mass with an Episcopalian priest in violation of canon law.
They say it conjures an incident in April 2004 when a Gilbert priest was disciplined for allegedly allowing an Anglican priest to concelebrate a wedding at St. Annes Catholic Church. The Rev. John Cunningham, who founded two East
Valley parishes, was suspended, and it took two years to resolve the incident. Cunningham was reinstated after the bishop accepted his apology, and he was allowed to retire.
The Baltimore incident took place Oct. 15. The Rev. Ray Martin was pastor of three parishes under the Catholic Community of South Baltimore. He is accused of leading the funeral Mass for Ann Shirley Doda of his parish, Our Lady of Good Counsel. Among several clergy taking part was the Rev. Annette Chappell, pastor of the Episcopal Church of the Redemption in Locus Point. She had been invited to take part by the son of Doda.
Martin was removed from the pastorate because of the violation, while other alleged pastoral infractions were raised. Father Martin received advice and counsel on numerous occasions from the archdiocese, and he has repeatedly violated church teachings, said Sean Caine, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. In more than a year, Martin has repeated committed administrative and liturgical offenses, Caine alleged. They included allowing dogs in the sanctuary, not complying with hiring rules and failing to show up for baptism, the Sun said.
I am sickened that they would treat our pastor this way, Victor Doda said. It doesnt sound possible that the church would take such a petty thing and ruin a mans career. The dead woman, a lifelong member of Good Counsel, owned the funeral home. She was an activist who had fought a corridor alignment for Interstate 95. The priest argued that both he and Chappell were there for to honor Shirley Doda. I wasnt there for Annette Chappell.
Martin said the Episcopal priest did not take part in the Eucharist, that she just read a gospel passage for the service. Someone at the service reported to the archdiocese that Martin gestured to Chappell to take communion, though Martin said he did not recall doing so, the newspaper reported. Canon law says only ordained priests and deacons can read the scripture at Masses, and non-Catholic specifically cannot receive communion.
Now Martin is getting counseling at a monastery in Latrobe, Pa., and is currently barred from celebrating Mass in a public setting. He had to sign an apology for bringing scandal to the church.
Victor noted that it was the Episcopal priest who had visited his mother daily in the hospital and her participation in the Mass was important to the family.
In our neighborhood, when you go to a church dinner or a church function on a social level, people from all churches are involved, he said. Thats the kind of relationship the churches have. Its very, very close.
The full story is at http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-te.md.ci.priest09nov09,0,5298429.story
If “progressive” Catholics, presumably like Mr. Doda and this journalist, believe this is a “petty” matter, then they believe the holy sacrifice of the Mass is a purely social occasion. In that case, they are more appropiately members of Rev Chappell’s excellent but non-Catholic congregation. And Rev. “Ray” Martin appears to serve best in a different religion, more in accord with his sincere but non-Catholic beliefs — though truthfully I can’t think of any Christian denomination that thinks dogs belong in a sanctuary; perhaps he has founded his own religion?