US Catholic group hold prayer vigil for Fr Bill Rowe

Fr Bill Rowe

A group of Catholics in Illinois are planning to hold a prayer vigil outside the Cancery Office of their diocese today, at the same time as their diocesan Chrism Mass, in support of an elderly priest who was forced to resign because he added prayers to his celebration of Mass.

They have issued the following statement today:

'Members and friends of Faithful of Southern Illinois (FOSIL), along with parishioners from St Mary's Catholic Church in Mt Carmel, Illinois will hold a prayerful presence at the Chancery Office in Belleville, Illinois on Tuesday, 3 April at 11am, in support of Fr Bill Rowe, pastor of St Mary's.

The sponsors emphasize that this gathering is to be one of prayer, and non aggressive.

People will gather to support a priest who places their pastoral and spiritual care above rules and uniformity, even as the bishop and clergy of Belleville 's Roman Catholic Diocese preside at a Mass within the Cathedral where renewal of commitment to priestly ministry is a central component - the annual Chrism Mass. Fr Rowe may well participate in that Mass, although it is precisely his commitment to a priestly ministry of pastoral care that caused Belleville's Bishop to demand he resign his ministry.

Fr Rowe's 'sin' was offering a personal prayer just prior to the Scripture readings at Mass, rather than the formal prayer provided. His own prayer reflected what the community would hear in the Scripture readings, and also in the homily to follow. The prayer in the Sacramentary would be the same in every community around the world - impersonal and objective. Fr Rowe was severely reprimanded by the Bishop and offered his resignation. Canonically, however, that resignation has not, in fact, been properly received and accepted by the Bishop. Another priest, a member of the Diocesan Personnel Board, later offered his own resignation to the Bishop in protest against the loss of Fr Rowe's ministry.

Fr Bill's warm, compassionate and caring spirit will be celebrated and supported by those gathering on Tuesday. There will be no disruption of Cathedral services. We welcome all to join us.

See also: www.bnd.com/2012/04/03/2126786/group-rallies-at-cathedral-for.html