New Ecumenical church points towards reforms and unity

A view of the new Ecumenical church in Vasai West

A Centre associated with the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ came up in Vasai West on November 5. Started by Fr Donald Rodrigues, the centre is named Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church. The key mission of this church is to propagate ecumenism. Ecumenism promotes unity among all Christian churches and denominations. The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ supports reforms which includes the choice of priests either to marry or to live a life of celibacy. Fr Rodrigues, who once was a priest of the Bombay Archdiocese, got married last year.

Archbishop warns against it

Referring to the November 5 inauguration of the Vasai Church, Archbishop of Vasai Felix Machado has put forward "an ardent appeal", printed as a circular in the Diocesan Catholic monthly magazine called Shantidoot in November. This communication has gathered traction on social media, appearing on several community WhatsApp groups. The appeal, in a nutshell, alerts the faithful, asking them to abstain from associating themselves with this new ‘centre'.

The inauguration ceremony of the centre

‘An ardent appeal', as it is headlined, read: "I would like to bring to your notice an unpleasant development taking place in Vasai. A group of people, under the leadership of Donald Rodrigues (former priest of the Archdiocese of Bombay who got married and according to Can.1394 # 1, incurred latae sententiae suspension and who can no longer function as a Catholic priest, offer Mass, administer the Sacraments etc), has begun a centre of the breakaway group. Donald Rodrigues has associated himself with the Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ. This Church is not in Communion with the Holy See."

In the next paragraph, the archbishop said the centre is located "in a rented place in our Catholic locality in Vasai". It goes on to say, "There are some former priests (who have left priesthood) and some former seminarians who are involved in the breakaway group and help run the centre. The Catholic Faithful of Vasai must please stay away from this centre and abstain from associating with this centre."

The appeal ended with, "This is a breakaway group from the Holy Roman Catholic Church" and asking that citizens share this appeal with persons, who may be "confused or ignorantly attend the programmes of this centre". The Archbishop's office refused to elaborate, saying their sentiments have been adequately represented in the self-explanatory appeal.

The church speak

Fr. Donald Rodrigues said, "There was a lot of politics in the system; so, I resigned from the Roman Catholic Church in January 2020. I got married in March 2021. The Ecumenical Catholic Church of Christ (ECCC) got in touch with me through some close friends. The ECCC practice the same dogmas, doctrines, Nicene Creed, seven sacraments and liturgy as the Roman Catholic Church. The ECCC have adopted some reforms and one of them is that they welcome married priests and the main mission of the ECCC is to bring about Ecumenism (Christian Unity). I was incardinated into the ECCC on July 21, 2021."

He added that, "Celibacy for priests has been a subject of discussion in the Roman Catholic Church and there is focus on reformation since years. Centuries ago, priests were allowed to be married. The first Pope, St Peter, was married and till 12th Century marriage was allowed. After the 12th Century the rule of celibacy was implemented, primarily to stop misappropriation of church funds and safeguard church property. Celibacy is a rule and has nothing to do with spirituality."

He said, "Though a lot is being preached about Ecumenism by the Roman Catholic Church, yet I am facing a lot of opposition from the Roman Catholic Church and some miscreants." He finished stoically though, "I am confident that this reform will be accepted in time. I get my strength and courage from the Lord and Mother Mary, and will continue to work for the glory of God."

5 Nov
Day when the church was inaugurated