José Ornelas Carvalho, Bishop of Leiria-Fátima, has decided to impose 'synodality' on his clergy, writes InfoVaticana.com (3 April).
Ornelas Carvalho has carried out his work in three phases: endless meetings with much chatter, the transformation of the 73 parishes into 17 pastoral units and 7 vicariates, and the creation of 'presbyteral teams'.
Father Rui Marto, a Claretian and parish priest of Fatima, initially agreed to the radical measures, but then backed out and refused to be replaced.
In the end, in accordance with the true meaning of "synodality", he was removed.
Father Marto lodged a 'canonical complaint' but, as was to be expected, it was ignored.
On 30 March, during a Novus Ordo Eucharist in the main church of Fatima, the "Pastoral Unit of Fatima" was imposed.
The faithful were asked to accept the changes with "unity, fidelity and trust in the Holy Spirit".
Picture: José Ornelas Carvalho © wikicommons, CC BY-SA, #newsHfblxgdlgr