This essay was borne out of my deep reflections on this issue and how best to manage this situation. I stand to be corrected. Should in case you find this essay offensive to you, kindly accept my heartfelt apology in advance.
I will split this essay in three categories. First, I will
address it to the Clergy (Fr. Edet), secondly, I will address it to Church and
finally to the people of God. Forgive me if this essay appears lengthy to you. Kindly
read with an open mind.
TO FR. PATRICK HENRY EDET:
On July 31, 2017 (I guess the
date is correct), it was reported that Fr. Edet went on air (Planet radio 101.1
fm) and announced his resignation from the Priesthood. Read his words: “From
Today Henceforth, I cease to be a Catholic Priest, in my spirit and in my soul…
I forgive those who criticize me, I live for God… I seek freedom for my soul.
As I leave, I leave smiling; I AM SO HAPPY THAT I AM FREE… You can now call me Rev
Patrick Edet but on a lighter note, you can still call me Father” (NB: I
captured the most important lines). Well, this is quite pathetic. Now, the
question that came to my mind after reading the news was “WHO IS FR. PATRICK
EDET”. From my research, He is a Charismatic and a talented preacher from Akwa Ibom
State. He is a VALIDLY ordained Catholic priest working for the Catholic
Diocese of Uyo. Fr. Edet is the spiritual director and founder of Grace Family
Global Outreach (a ministry which he uses to reach out to the people of God). By
Divine Providence, Fr. Edet has spent over 14years in the ministerial
priesthood. Last night, I spent quality time reading his reflections on his official
Facebook account and equally watched most of his ministrations and preaching’s
on Youtube. I need not to tell you that Fr. Edet is spiritually talented and
gifted by the Most High God. He is well versed with the Scriptures. His popular
radio show on Planet 101.1 fm is exceptionally wonderful. You can find out for
yourself. Reading through his reflections, I almost wept and wondered what
could have led a talented Preacher like him take such a decision. Who am I to
judge him? Every man is entitled to his own personal decisions; after all, he
personally took the decision to become a Priest.
Dear father, I can understand how
you feel facing oppressions, persecutions, jealousy, hatred, envy etc from your
fellow priest, friends, men, women, adult, young and old. Such is natural. In fact, as long as you’re still breathing,
such is bound to occur. What matters is how you handle such situations. Even
Jesus Christ was rejected by His own people. St. Paul also faced persecutions
and accusation but yet he still preached the good news of salvation. Can you
remember when Fr. Ejike Mbaka was at war with Chimaroke Nnamani (the then
Governor of Enugu State)? Notable Charistmatic priest like Fr. Ozele (At least,
he was once kidnapped), Fr. Emmanuel Obimma (Ebube Mmuo Nso), the Late Fr.
Stephen Njoku of Upper Room Ministry etc once faced the same situation you are
facing. Did they quit? The rest is a story. They are still waxing stronger in
the ministry and are still sanctifying the people of God and offering sacrifices
to God. Resigning is NOT the best option. A soldier does not look back or run
away from the warfront. Remember the numerous reflections which you have dished
out from the pulpit to the people of God, remember the numerous broken families
you have healed through your ministry, remember the numerous counseling you
have offered to those in need, think about your followers, those whom your
lifestyle and reflections have inspired. Think about this Padre! From the
comments I read on Facebook, it seemed to me that you were at loggerhead with
the Church authority with regards to OBEDIENCE to the Ecclesiastical authority.
Well, I don’t know much on this and can’t ascertain the veracity of this
allegation. I will simply pray you eschew pride and allow the Mother Church
which gave you a platform to rise from pit to palace take the necessary
decisions. On this note, I pray that the Holy Spirit will be your comforter in
times like this.
TO THE CHURCH:
In this section, I won’t
challenge the Mother Church or dictate for her on how best to handle this
situation. This is not the first time the Church is being scandalized with
issues like this and yet the church is still waxing strong even in the face of
oppositions and scandals. All glory to God. I am very much happy that the Church
never IMPOSED this on you. Just like a caring Mother, the Church have always
cautioned and warned him with love on the need to retrace his steps. Had it
been, the ‘loss of clerical state’ was imposed on him, the story would have
changed. I urge your Bishop and fellow priests to accept you and show love to
you. What Fr. Edet needs now is not criticism but counseling and prayers. Definitely,
he will reconsider his decision. It is important to note that as at the time of
writing this essay, the Catholic Diocese of Uyo has NOT released an official
statement on the clerical state of Fr. Patrick Edet.
TO THE PEOPLE OF GOD:
Let me start by explaining a few
things with regards to what the canon law and the Catechism of the church teach
us. In the first place, CAN A PRIEST RESIGN? The Catechism states that the
sacrament of Holy Orders confers an “INDELIBLE SPIRITUAL CHARACTER” on the man
who receives it (CCC 1582). What it simply means is that once a man is VALIDLY
ordained, IT CAN NOT BE UNDONE! Similarly, Can 290 of the Code of Canon Law
states bluntly that “once a man VALIDLY receives the sacrament of Holy Orders,
it NEVER BECOMES INVALID”. Simply put, a cleric can never become a layman
again. Nevertheless, it is possible for a priest to be released from the duties
and responsibilities that are connected to the sacred ordination (CCC 1583) of
which the canon law defines as LOSS OF CLERICAL STATE (cf. Canon 290 -293). In a
layman’s ideology, it means he has been LAICIZED. He can no longer VALIDLY
celebrate the sacraments except in MATTERS OF DEATH (cc 976, 986.2). From the
foregoing, it is worthy to note that ONCE A PRIEST, ALWAYS A PRIEST. The
Priesthood is a ‘FOREVER THING’. So, in the real sense, a priest cannot resign rather
he loses his CLERICAL STATE. So, Fr. Edet is still a Priest in the order of
Melchizedek. There are many factors that can lead to loss of clerical state
which is fully explained in the canon law (cc 290 $1-3, 291-293). Another
question that might arise is this, “what if Fr. Edet reconsiders his decision; can
he be granted the full faculties to celebrate the sacrament again?” The answer
is YES but it has to be through the rescript of the Apostolic See. He won’t be
ordained again; rather he will have to obtain permission to be re-installed
once more from ROME (cc. 293).
I read one funny Facebook comment
from someone whom I feel is ignorant of the teachings of the Church. According
to him, Fr. Edet obviously resigned so that he can marry. After all, ‘Body no
be firewood’. Well, I won’t blame the young man that made such comment.
Honestly, Fr. Edet CAN NOT VALIDLY CONTRACT MARRIAGE EXCEPT ON ONE REASON. I know
you will be shocked to hear this. Canon 277 $1 clearly states that Clerics are
bound to CELIBACY. By this, PRIESTS CAN NOT MARRY! Now, let’s read what the
canon law states. “LOSS OF CLERICAL STATE DOES NOT ENTAIL A DISPENSATION FROM
THE OBLIGATION OF CELIBACY, WHICH ONLY THE ROMAN PONTIFF GRANTS” (Canon 291 $1).
What it simply means that a priest can only marry if the ROMAN PONTIFF grants
his permission. So, Fr. Edet is still bound to the vows of chastity and
CELIBACY. Attempting marriage is INVALID and won’t be recognized by the Church.
Good a thing, there was NO CASE OF SEX
SCANDAL AGAISNT HIM. Enough said.
What role has the lay faithful to
play in issues like this?
There are so many ways in which
the people of God can be of immense help to Fr. Edet. Instead of criticizing him,
calling him names, saying scandalous words, accusing him etc we can only but
PRAY for him. His decisions are personal and God alone has the sole right to
judge him. It is not in our powers to criticize him. His life has inspired us
in many ways, his beautiful anointed hands has baptized our kids, placed the
precious Body and Blood of Christ on our tongue, absolved us from sin, anointed
us in times of ill health, blessed our marriage, prayed for us, blessed our
sacramentals etc. We can only pay him back by praying for him. Just One Hail Mary
on his behalf is okay for our Mother Mary to intercede on his behalf.
In conclusion, Life itself is
full of challenges. If you cannot stand the challenges, pains, trials of the
Catholic priesthood after so many years, then where lies your faith in times of
trials and tribulations? Heraclitus was posited that the only thing that does
not change is change. Change is constant in our changing society. The only
being that does not change is God for He changes change and yet remains
unchanged.
PRAYER: Almighty God our Father, look
upon your son (Fr. Edet) and all priests with fervent love and show them your
mercy to enable them preserve in the priestly ministry. You called him (Fr.
Edet) to serve you through the sacred Priesthood, give him the grace to overcome
the trials and tribulations facing him and help him to reconsider his decision.
Amen.
Shalom!
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