Breakaway Catholic group to ordain 13 in Minnesota
A breakaway Catholic group plans to ordain 13 priests in Winona Friday, but they won't be recognized by the Roman Catholic church.
The St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, part of the Society of St. Pius X, will host the ordinations.
The Vatican says ordinations by the ultraconservative group aren't legitimate, even though Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of its leaders. The Vatican statement was a response to planned ordinations in Germany.
Rose Hammes, spokeswoman for the Diocese of Winona, says the 13 men can't be priests in any Roman Catholic diocese.
The Society of St. Pius X is led by Bishop Bernard Fellay, who says the Winona ordinations aren't intended as a challenge to Rome.
---
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.