“I have carefully followed what has been said and written in these days, following the provision of suspension from the public celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals and from preaching to the sac. Giulio Mignani. Certainly, Don Giulio’s excellent qualities of character and human relationship cannot fail to arouse the expressions of closeness that many are addressing to him. He is generous and eager to be present among the people, with listening and closeness. I myself had wanted him to be part of the presbyteral council, I had confirmed him as French vicar and he had also been called to be one of the diocesan delegates who participated, together with me, in the ecclesial conference in Florence in 2015.
However, since January 2017 it has begun to issue public utterances that do not conform to the teaching of the Magisterium. Each time I have had the opportunity to talk cordially with him, calling him to observe the pastoral and canonical commitments freely undertaken with the Holy Ordination. However, the episodes continued over time and, last December, it was necessary to notify him that, if further statements were released, he would be suspended. This has been achieved by taking into account all the utterances he made over the span of at least five years, in particular on theological themes, on the unions of persons of the same sex, on the relationship between the various spiritualities and religions, on books. sacred and the truth, about the end of life and euthanasia. Lately, in the month of June, the one regarding abortion has also been added.
Precisely these last two interventions, of fundamental importance because linked to the inviolable value of every human life, made after the notification of the precept, led to the observation and, consequently, to the declaration that the suspension was in progress. To recall the action of a presbyter to the fidelity of the teaching of the Magisterium is not only legitimate, but also a duty, both towards the priest and towards the faithful. Moreover, the suspension in which it is in progress is neither an excommunication nor a dismissal from the clerical state. In the current situation he is asked to live this time of silence in prayer and reflection. On the other hand, Don Giulio is well aware and responsible for his acts and what follows from them.
It will take time, but the dialogue and the path remain open. With this the need for closeness, listening, respect and acceptance of each one is certainly not called into question. However, it is not a question of comparing opinions or ways of seeing, but of proceeding on a path of pastoral renewal, in the concreteness of people’s lives, in their sufferings, in their labors, so that the light of the Gospel may shine there. In this regard, the Word of God, Tradition and the Magisterium of the Church are fundamental and inseparable elements on which the faithful must base their life, and the pastors also their ministry. I invite everyone to join in prayer at this particular moment in the life of our local Church ”.
Luigi Ernesto Palletti, bishop