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	Father Tomislav Vlasic Reduced to the Lay State By Marco Corvaglia Medjugorje sensa maschera July 28, 2009 http://marcocorvaglia.blog.lastampa.it/mcor/2009/07/father-tomislav-vlasic-reduced-to-the-lay-state.html Now the judgement has been passed. It was already well known that on 30 May 2008 the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, represented by its secretary, Archbishop Msgr. Angelo Amato, had explicitly requested (by letter 144/1985-27164) to the Bishop of Mostar, Msgr. Ratko Peric, to divulge “for the good of the faihful" the contents of a statement of the Congregation against Father Tomislav Vlasic. Let us recall a brief excerpt: ”Within the context of the phenomenon Medjugorje, this Dicastery is studying the case of Father Tomislav VLASIC OFM, originally from that region and the founder of the association ‘Kraljice mira potpuno Tvoji – po Mariji k Isusu’ [...]The non-groundless news that reached this Congregation reveals that the religious priest in question did not respond, even partially, to the demands of ecclesiastical obedience required by the very delicate situation he finds himself in” In the Decree of the Congregation [cf. Mostar Diocese circular letter 939/2008, 8 July 2008] is written that father Vlasic was suspected of heresy and schism, and charged with "diffusion of dubious doctrines, manipulation of consciences, suspicious mysticism, disobedience of legitimately given orders and imputations ‘contra sextum’"(against the sixth commandment). The last charge concerns an event that happened in 1977 (thus before the "apparitions"). Now the Holy See has definitively spoken, as we said. Here is the transcript (and afterward the reproduction) of the official act, signed by the Minister General of the Order of Friars Minor , Father Jose Rodriguez Carballo. The letter has been sent to all the Provincials of Italy, Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina and then forwarded to the Guardians of each Province. The Guardians have in turn passed it on to all the friaries in their respective provinces. "ORDO FRATRUM MINORUM MINISTER GENERALIS Reference Number: 098714 To the Provincial Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Italy. Dear Brother Minister, the Holy Father, granting the request of Fr. Tomislav Vlasic, OFM, a member of the Minorite Province of St. Bernardine from Siena (L'Aquila), responsible for conduct detrimental to ecclesial communion, both within the doctrinal and the disciplinary ambit, and having incurred the censure of interdict, granted him the grace of reduction to the lay state (amissio status clericalis) and the dismissal from the Order. Moreover, the Holy Father has granted the petitioner, motu proprio, forgiveness of the incurred censure, and the grace of dispensation from religious vows and all charges related to the sacred order, including celibacy. As a salutary penal precept - under pain of excommunication declared by the Holy See, and if necessary even without previous canonical admonition – on Mr. Tomislav Vlasic are imposed the precepts listed below: a) absolute prohibition from exercising any form of apostolate (eg. promotion of public or private worship, teaching of Christian doctrine, spiritual direction, participation in associations of the faithful, etc..), and from acquiring and administering properties for charitable institutions; b) absolute prohibition to make statements about religion, especially with regard to the "phenomenon of Medjugorje" e) absolute prohibition to dwell in houses of the Order of Friars Minor. In relation to the implementation of the serious measures taken by the Holy See towards Mr. Tomislav Vlasic, the Holy See itself directly called into the matter the superiors of the Order. Therefore, I appeal to you, so that you make sure to properly warn the Guardians and the heads of the friaries, about full compliance, by Tomislav Vlasic, with the papal provisions concerning him, especially that relating to the prohibition of living in houses still belonging to the Order of Friars Minor, under penalty of removal from office. Trusting in your understanding and prompt cooperation, I greet you fraternally. Rome, 10 March 2009 Jose Rodriguez Carballo, OFM General Minister
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