Attending the Mass of a credibly accused priest
Suppose you were attending the Mass of a Bishop or Cardinal, had gone to Confession to him for real Big Time sins, been absolved and received the Holy Eucharist from his hands and subsequently found out that he was an active predatory homosexual for years. You presumably have received the sacraments from a priest who in high probability was in “mortal sin.” If, factually, this were so, would his sinful life have negated, before God, all your good will and sincere renovation of your life? Were all your good intentions (and the sacraments) invalidated because of his sinfulness? Was he just going through the motions with no holy effect on you? Would you feel betrayed, tainted and worried?
The above scenario is not unbelievable in the light of Catholic history —as a quick survey of recent events would reveal. But even earlier, for two centuries—fourth through sixth—-the Church struggled with a huge heresy called DONATISM. The name derives from a Bishop Donatus who strenuously rejected the validity of another Bishop’s episcopal rank. The reason was the ordaining Bishop of this new “Bishop” was a public traitor to the Faith with the reputation of handing over Christians to the Government for execution. Therefore, Donatist taught, the Ordination of that priest to the Bishop rank was invalid.
So, for two hundred years the Church agonized over the validity of Her Mission. Is it utterly essential that a priest be in the state of Grace for the Grace of God to be effective in his people? If a priest celebrates the HOLY MASS while he is contaminated with evil, does the Mass become a charade? A mere outward show? A liturgical empty suit?
This was strongly refuted at the Council of Arles in 314 A.D. Further clarity was provided at the Council of Carthage in 418 A.D. effectively ending the crippling schism. As much as it pains us, there are priests who have or do perform the sacred rites while in the state of sin. But it is Christ Who works through this erring priest by virtue of his Ordination to the level of priesthood. In effect, whether the priest is holy or not, in grace or not, the Lord Himself works through this broken reed. The faithful one should not be deprived of the Blessings of the Lord because of the mistakes of one who knew better.
We have the right to demand that our priests be authentic priests—and holy ones. If a particular priest is unholy, the Lord compensates. We trust in Him.