Father Jean-Raphaël Dubrule, Superior of the Society of Missionaries of Divine Mercy, has just published a press release specifying the difficulties encountered by the community regarding the ordinations of its seminarians.
The community being under diocesan law (diocese of Fréjus-Toulon), the bishop of Fréjus-Toulon, in this case Mgr François Touvet since he has the powers to do so from the Holy See, calls his seminarians to orders. While ordinations have resumed in the diocese, several seminarians from the Society of Missionaries of Divine Mercy are awaiting ordination.
Press release from Father Jean-Raphaël Dubrule, Superior of the Missionaries of Divine Mercy
For more than two years for one of them and a year for the four others, 5 seminarians from the Missionaries of Mercy community have been awaiting ordination to the diaconate and then to the priesthood. This expectation is no longer linked to the situation in the diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, whose ordinations have resumed, but to the celebration in the ancient rite, provided for in the statutes of the community.
Following many discussions with the competent Roman authorities, led by Mgr Touvet whom I warmly thank for his great support to our community, it appears that the situation is blocked not only because of the rite of ordination, but in because of the possibility for future priests to be able to celebrate in the ancient rite. No certainty regarding this possibility is given by the Roman authorities, and it could therefore be that candidates are ordained without having the right to then celebrate according to the ancient rite. They would then no longer be able to exercise their ministry within the framework of the community and in accordance with the statutes.
Faced with many questions from the faithful, it seemed necessary to us to explain why it was taking so much time and the issues at stake. The goal is to call for very intense prayer, because the dialogue with the Roman authorities continues. This ordeal that we are experiencing in no way makes us regret the work of diocesan integration that the community is doing and experiencing. It calls for prayer and renewed vigilance.
May the merciful Jesus protect us and strengthen us.
Missionaries of Divine Mercy
