Their actions also touch on the law that states “A person who in a public show or speech, in published writing, or by other means of social communication gravely injures good morals, expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church, is to be punished with a just penalty.”
On the list of the Canonical penalties incurred from the “public, repeated, and scandalous” nature of the acts, the Archbishop highlights Interdict, meaning that the protesters may be barred from receiving the sacraments and sacramentals, and from participating in liturgical actions as a minister.
The other is Penal Remedies and Penances, including public reprimand, withdrawal of permission to hold ecclesiastical office, or imposition of pious or charitable works.
Others are suspension from Ecclesiastical offices, excommunication, as well as Just Penalties for Sacrilege given the sacrilegious use of the Mass.
The Archbishop, however, proposes a corrective and rehabilitative process, saying that he desires the conversion, reconciliation, and pastoral restoration of the offenders.
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The process that he suggests includes a public retraction and apology requiring those responsible to retract the false accusations made publicly; remove scandalous content from social media; and issue an apology “in a manner determined by the diocesan authority.”
He also advises that for a determined time, participants in the protests may be barred from liturgical ministries, leadership roles, and public ecclesial functions. The protesters are also to refrain from organizing or participating in public demonstrations related to ecclesiastical governance.
Archbishop Mpako further directs mandatory participation in sessions on ecclesiology, the theology of episcopal authority, the nature of obedience and communion, as well as the sacredness of the liturgy.
About Spiritual Rehabilitation, he says the protesters must engage in spiritual direction, acts of penance, and prayers for ecclesial unity, as assigned.
He says the process is mandatory, adding, “If any step is refused or neglected, the Ordinary will proceed to impose canonical penalties as warranted,” the Archbishop of Pretoria says.
He adds, “This Decree takes effect immediately upon notification and is to be communicated to the individuals concerned in the most expedient manner.”
Agnes Aineah is a Kenyan journalist with a background in digital and newspaper reporting. She holds a Master of Arts in Digital Journalism from the Aga Khan University, Graduate School of Media and Communications and a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communications from Kenya’s Moi University. Agnes currently serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.