A man pretended to be a Catholic priest in Germany and celebrated Masses and baptisms in 2022. He was reported by the diocese to the civil authorities and eventually convicted.
Newsroom (24/07/2023 15:00, Gaudium Press) In July 2022, Sebastian W. posed as a Catholic priest, celebrated some masses in Winnenden (diocese of Rottenburg-Stuttgart) and even performed a baptism. The family of the baptized child was informed of the fraudster’s false identity.
The 22-year-old man pretended to be a priest of the diocese of Mainz, wore a cassock and a clerical collar. The false priest’s offense is punishable because, under German law, the titles and symbols of the Church are equal to those of the State.
Indeed, the man was sentenced to one year and three months in prison for abuse of titles and designations of office, as well as theft and embezzlement in eleven different cases. The convict must also pay back the entire sum stolen in his fraud crimes.
According to Canon Law, anyone who attempts to celebrate Holy Mass without being ordained a priest is forbidden to receive the sacraments or participate in religious services. Depending on the gravity of the act, excommunication may be applied. (FM)
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Compiled by Florence MacDonald
