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Monday, May 28,
2001 |
Archbishop weds in ceremony with Rev Moon
Maverick Catholic Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo yesterday
married a Korean acupuncturist in a group wedding organised by the
Unification Church of the Rev Sun Myung Moon, leaving himself open to
excommunication.
"At 71 years of age, after a lifetime of devotion to the church and to
my priestly vows, the Lord has called me to take a step that will change
my life forever," Archbishop Milingo said in a statement issued in New
York, on the eve of the wedding.
According to Canon Law, he may be subject to automatic excommunication
if the Vatican finds him guilty of apostasy, or renouncing his faith. A
controversial faith healer from Zambia who also practises exorcism,
Archbishop Milingo was married to Ms Maria Sung (43), chosen as his bride
by Rev Moon.
About sixty other couples of mixed races representing major religions
were also married during the one-hour ceremony at the New York Hilton
Hotel conducted by Rev Moon and his wife.
Archbishop Milingo's statement said that as a celibate priest,
matrimony had been the furthest thing from his mind.
"It is only through the command of Jesus, and the counsel and support
of Reverend and Mrs Sun Myung Moon, that I take this unexpected and bold
step that I have wrestled with in my heart for some time."
The Archbishop said he and his new wife would return to Africa to bring
a mission of healing and renewal to the continent where many countries are
being ravaged by HIV and AIDS.
The marriage is the latest in a string of embarrassments the Archbishop
has caused the Vatican over what some church authorities consider his
unorthodox methods. - (Reuters)
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