Published: February 18, 2011
“Some sort of censure could take place”
Bishop places Orange priest accused of concelebrating Mass with Protestant minister on leave until internal investigation completed
Bishop Tod Brown has temporarily suspended a priest at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Orange who parishioners complained allowed a Presbyterian minister to concelebrate a Mass and receive Holy Communion on Sunday, Feb. 13.
Orange diocesan spokesman Ryan Lilyengren told the Orange County Register that Fr. Agustin Escobar had been placed on leave pending the outcome of an investigation into the incident.
"I don't think it will take that long," the Register quoted Lilyengren as saying. "There may be some sort of censure that could take place at the end of the investigation."
California Catholic Daily first broke the story on Feb. 15 when some parishioners at St. Norbert’s complained they were “shocked and appalled” after Fr. Escobar introduced Pastor Steve Whitney of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Sacramento at St. Norbert’s 9 a.m. Mass last Sunday. Sources said Rev. Whitney concelebrated the Mass with Fr. Escobar, took Communion, and was allowed to distribute Communion to parishioners.
“Lilyengren said allowing ministers of other faiths to take part in a traditional Mass is called concelebrating, a somewhat serious offense,” the Register reported.
"We do a lot of interfaith activities and have several Ecumenical services," Lilyengren told the newspaper. "When a traditional Mass is celebrated, the church has rules to follow. If another minister is up there with the priest that is celebrating the Mass and they're kind of helping out, that's concelebrating."
Every Catholic knows the rules: You must be a Catholic in good standing, free of mortal sin, prepared to receive the Body and Blood of Christ; and obedient to the Pope and Magisterium, to be able to receive Holy Communion.
I've seen this happen before in New York and I was shocked then and am shocked now!
Deacon John
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