Mt. Carmel parishioners travel to Belleville Diocese in support of Fr. Bill Rowe | News

Members and friends of Faithful of Southern Illinois (FOSIL), along with parishioners from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Mt. Carmel, Illinois went to Belleville on Tuesday to take part in what they called a "prayerful presence" at the Roman Catholic Cathedral.  Paris honers were there to show their support of Fr. Bill Rowe, pastor of St. Mary's in Mt. Carmel. 

In December, the Catholic Church introduced a new missal translation, dictating the Bible readings and prayers for each worship service.  Fr. Rowe was essentially forced to resign in late January for offering a personal prayer just prior to the scripture readings at Mass, rather than the formal prayer.

His own prayer reflected what the community would hear in the Scripture readings, and also in the homily to follow.  Supporters say they liked it that way, calling the standard prayer "impersonal".

They say Fr. Rowe is "a priest who places their pastoral and spiritual care above rules and uniformity".  

Canonically, however, his resignation has not, in fact, been properly received and accepted by the Bishop.  Another priest, a member of the Diocesan Personnel Board, later offered his own resignation to the Bishop in protest against the loss of Fr. Rowe's ministry.

Several priests and deacons were inside the cathedral during today's protest because the bishop was holding the mass of chrism.

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Prayer methods called into question; priest stepping down