Father Edward Cachia's response to Bishop Nicola De Angelis' statement regarding his excommunication, issued the first week of April 2006:

Bishop Nicola De Angelis' statement

I would like to say that my response is not intended to create any animosity or disrespect to the Bishop or the Church. My comments challenging the Church to open the doors of dialogue on the issue of women's ordination was the spark that ignited this controversy. These past months have been a real
test of my faith, but I can say with all honesty that I have never had a greater sense of peace and joy in my priesthood.

The Bishop considered my public statement on this issue to be an act of disobedience. The Bishop insisted that I must make a public statement to all parishes retracting the statements I had made. Until I was willing to comply, my salary was reduced to $1,050 per month, I was suspended from public ministry, and ordered out of the rectory. These penalties were inflicted on me to force me to comply with their demands.

Many have suggested to me "is it not worth a white lie for the sake of all the good work you will do". As much as I would have liked to take the easy way out I could not. My statements that the Church should speak respectfully and should re-establish dialogue with women who are called to ordination are what I believe to be true. For me this is the truth regardless whether the Church agrees with me. To force me to retract my statements would be to force me to lie. The choice I was given was to lie to the people, or lose my position in the Church. If we sacrifice our principles and integrity to save ourselves we have sacrificed  everything. I lost everything my home, my job, my benefits, my pension, my security, but Jesus calls us to stand by our convictions even to the point of suffering.

The Church has no moral or theological basis for excluding women from ordination. The Church has all the authority it needs to stop this injustice to women. The Church is operating more out of fear of women and fear of losing control. The Church will be ineffective in challenging others on issues of social justice as long as it continues to oppress women.

I love the Church, and I have dedicated 20 years of my life to the service of God as a priest. My intention was to live the rest of my life ministering to the people as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. I had no idea that this simple event would turn out the way that it has. I have been accused of creating this scandal that was never my intention. My error is that I was willing to sacrifice everything for what I believe to be true. The scandal for the people is the way the Church has treated me and others for standing up on issues of social justice.

After considerable prayer and soul searching I felt the Holy Spirit calling me to stay in the community and minister to those who are disillusioned with the current dysfunctionality of the Roman Catholic Church. On April 2nd a small faith community and I launched Christ the Servant Catholic Community. I am only one small person in the whole process. The focus of this community will be to live the beatitudes, to discern God's will, and to spend our efforts in service of others. I was offered many other opportunities all of which would have provided me with more personal security.

The Bishop immediately ordered that the notice of my excommunication be read on Palm Sunday in all parishes. There are a few points that need to be clarified:

a. "He has refused all offers of reconciliation that have been extended."

This statement implies that I was unwilling to reconcile. That is not true: The only offer made by the Bishop was an unconditional demand to publicly retract all that I had said as I have previously explained. There were no other attempts or offers made by the Bishop.

b. I met with an Ontario Catholic Bishop who said:

• Based on my record of service that I would have no problem finding a Bishop who would accept me. However no Bishop could accept me until Bishop De Angelis lifted my suspension.
• This Bishop phoned Bishop De Angelis offering to be a mediator
  between me and my Bishop to help resolve this matter. Bishop De Angelis
  refused his help and never called me to discuss the issue
• I was willing to do this, which would have meant moving to another diocese.

c. The Bishop's statement "Christ the Servant is a schismatic church" is not correct. A prominent theologian explained to me that a schismatic church is one that deviates on issues of faith and morals. Christ the Servant holds to the same values of faith and morals as the Roman Catholic Church. This church is not a schismatic church but a church that calls for reformation. "Ecclesia semper reformanda" - meaning the Church is always reforming. The Church will always be in a process of reformation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
 
The Bishop chose Palm Sunday to exert his power and publicly excommunicate me. Why was it so urgent to create more scandal during Holy Week?

Palm Sunday is the celebration of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey and inviting us to experience the gospel of Love. It is difficult to see the similarities between the humble and loving example of Jesus and the priorities of the Roman Catholic Church today.

The Church needs to reflect on the mantras of the early Church, "Vox populi Vox Dei" - meaning the voice of the people is the voice of God. God has always revealed himself in a simple and humble way. God does not reveal Himself through the enforcement of Canon Law at the expense of all else.

The Bishop is now putting pressure on the school board to threaten teachers with dismissal for attending Christ the Servant. The Bishop has no concern for the unrest that will be created in the parishes and the schools by his actions. We must assume that the Bishop is not working in isolation but that
he has the full support of the hierarchy of the Church. The enforcement of man made laws at all cost is not the priority that Jesus has in mind for the Church. "Ubi Petrus ibi ecclesia" meaning where Peter is there is the Church. Is today's Roman Catholic Church a reflection of the Church that Jesus intended to build on Peter?

Lack of priests, Church closures, aging congregation, sexual abuse scandals, pre-occupation with building maintenance, and the enforcement of canon law at any expense, are all symptoms of a dysfunctional Church. Jesus gives the Church a clear vision of what it's mission must be.  The Holy Spirit is
capable of guiding the Church if the Church is willing to give up control.

Bishop Nicola De Angelis' Statement on Fr. Cachia's Excommunication

Diocese of Peterborough
STATEMENT - April 9, 2006 (Palm Sunday)
Notification Concerning Father Edward Cachia

Dear Brother Priests and Lay Faithful of the Diocese of Peterborough,

It is with great sadness that I make this announcement today.
Over the past months, we have all been praying that Fr. ED CACHIA would return to the Church and uphold Her teachings. With great regret this has not happened. He has refused all offers of reconciliation that have been extended.

On April 2nd, 2006, Fr. Cachia celebrated the liturgical and sacramental rites at his newly formed, Christ the Servant Church. In doing so, he acted entirely on his own initiative, and without the approval of the Holy Roman Catholic Church, and has incurred automatic excommunication by virtue of the
law of the Church. He is therefore irregular to exercise the sacrament of Holy Orders. He cannot validly grant absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, nor are any marriages that he performs valid in the Roman Catholic Church.

Please be advised that this newly established Christ the Servant church is not recognized or sanctioned by the Catholic Diocese of Peterborough or the Apostolic See, and is therefore a schismatic church. A schismatic church is one that refuses submission to the Holy Father or communion with the members of the Church that are subject to him and in particular the diocesan bishop.

The Christian Faithful should not frequent this breakaway church, nor support the disobedience of Fr. Cachia.

I ask all of you to pray and offer personal sacrifices for the unity of the Church and the return of Fr. Cachia and his supporters, who have broken communion with the Holy Catholic Church that was founded by Christ Jesus upon Peter the Apostle for the salvation of all humankind. Ubi Petrus ibi ecclesia (Where Peter is there is the Church).

Wishing you a Holy Easter and God's Blessings, I remain,

Sincerely in Christ,


Most Rev. Nicola De Angelis, c.f.i.c.
Bishop of Peterborough