May 4, 2009 | The Catholic Sun

Read: Priest excommunicated for joining movement not in communion with Roman Catholic Church

3. Why has this excommunication been declared? Is it really necessary?

Yes, it is very necessary. Canon law provides for these kinds of sanctions in order to preserve the integrity and unity of the Church, in order to clarify the status of a person who has committed acts giving rise to excommunication, and in order to initiate a process by which the excommunicated person can recognize the error and come back into communion with the Catholic faithful.

The bishop has an obligation to correct a priest when the priest’s teachings and actions are contrary to those of the Catholic Church. For a bishop to do nothing would be a serious failure on his part in caring for the faithful.

4. What is schism?

Schism occurs when a baptized Catholic withdraws from unity with the pope or the local bishop and the faithful under him.

5. How will he be affected by excommunication?

As an excommunicated priest, Fr. Carpenter cannot participate in the celebration of the sacrifice of the Holy Eucharist or in any other ceremonies of worship. He is prohibited from celebrating or receiving any of the sacraments. In addition, he forfeits the benefits of the dignity of office or any function that he had previously acquired in the Catholic Church.

6. Was the decree the result of an investigation and trial?

This decree did not warrant an investigation and trial. The excommunication is automatically incurred by virtue of the undisputed fact that Fr. Carpenter joined a group not in communion with the Roman Catholic Church.

7. Did the bishop consult anyone before declaring the excommunications?

Yes. The bishop consulted canonical experts, who concluded that Fr. Carpenter chose to be in schism with the Catholic Church, and as such, had excommunicated himself from the Catholic Church. The canonists opined that a decree of excommunication was necessary to clarify Fr. Carpenter’s status and to begin the healing process.

8. Is it possible for Fr. Carpenter to be welcomed back to the Church after excommunication?

Yes, that is the bishop’s desire and prayer. In order to be welcomed back into the communion of the Church, a person who has been excommunicated must have dialogue with the diocesan bishop, must repent, and must express a sincere interest in returning to the Church. At that point, the person who has been excommunicated and the bishop work together in an attempt to repair the public scandal caused by the excommunicated person. It is only after that process occurs that the excommunicated person can be welcomed back to the Church.

9. Since Fr. Carpenter has been excommunicated, can he still present himself as a priest?

Because he received the sacrament of Holy Orders when he was ordained, he is a priest and will remain so for the rest of his life, but may be formally removed from the clerical state through a confidential process known as laicization. As a practical matter, he cannot function as a priest anyway, and will be prohibited from functioning as a priest for as long as he is subject to the decree or until there is another official determination of his status.

10. Where has Fr. Carpenter served?

July 1995-June 1997: Associate pastor of Ss. Simon and Jude Cathedral, Phoenix;

July 1997-June 2000: Associate pastor of Christ the King Parish, Mesa;

July 2000-January 2006: Pastor of Christ the King Parish, Mesa.