Update: I am withholding the name of my source.

Interesting, but it would make more sense if, in addition to the figure of 26 applicants from the ACA who were refused nulla ostas, we could learn (a) how many applications from priests of the ACA have there been, and (b) how many approvals have been granted.  Off the top of my head, I could think of only three former ACA clergy who have been priested in the Catholic Church: Bartus, Ousley and Seraiah, and Ousely was a priest in ECUSA before leaving for the ACA.  But then a friend sent me this:

Interestingly, Fr. Meeks in the ex-TAC parish in Towson MD was raised Catholic.  And, many of his parishioners, though not all, are ex-Catholics.   He was either a high school or college seminarian (the source wasn’t sure), but dropped out in the 60s-70s (forget when) as a result of the tumult of the times.  (I was told this by someone of some importance working within the Ordinariate).  So, apparently, he was an exception to the general rules about former Catholics being ordained in the Ordinariate.

And another this:

* * *

Without going into endless polemics, I got this amazing piece of information, to which a priest (I am withholding his name) replied:

This is very helpful. But I have to say that it is very sad that so many could get so far in the process without having realized that their applications were futile from the start.

What more is there to say? I simply look forward to my next time out in the boat…

* * *

This letter is from Fr Scott Hurd in response to an enquiry about the way TAC priest applications were being handled in the USA. It had been alleged that Father Scott Hurd was vetting all the applications and that none of the dossiers that were turned down actually got sent to Rome.

Dear X,

Thanks for your kind and understanding response. I am indeed aware of some of the rumors that you referenced. They have been brought to my attention through a number of channels, and often have been expressed in ways that are less than charitable.

N. was mistaken in saying that all dossiers sent to Rome were approved. Many that were sent to Rome were not granted a nulla osta.

Yes, before Msgr. Jeffrey was appointed, I was the one who processed dossiers. I did make recommendations, which were then reviewed by Cardinal Wuerl. Dossiers and recommendations were then sent to the CDF, and were voted on in congresso.

I will be happy to address some of these concerns during my presentation at the Anglican Use Conference in November; I know that Msgr. Jeffrey will touch upon these matters during his address to the USCCB in November.

With regard to the TAC, I am delighted that many fine individuals from that jurisdiction have been ordained or are well on track toward being ordained. However, it must be said that many of the petitions received from that jurisdiction were problematic for the sole reason that they were sent, not by Anglicans who believed that they were called by God to be Catholic, but by Catholics who had left the Church as adults and now wish to be reconciled.

As reflected in the Apostolic Constitution and Complimentary Norms, those who have previously been ordained as Catholics cannot exercise sacred ministry in the Ordinariate. Also, the CDF has made it abundantly clear that dispensations from the delict of schism will be exceedingly rare. We agree with this approach.

Of the 26 dossiers of ACA priests which were not granted a nulla osta by the CDF:

5 were Catholic priests

3 were Catholic deacons

3 were Catholic seminarians

7 left the Catholic Church as adults (the delict of schism)

Thus, 18 of these 26 dossiers were submitted by Catholics in need of reconciliation, not Anglicans seeking reunion. Only eight dossiers were turned down by others reasons. This is not a bias against any institution; it simply reflects an application of the CDF’s criteria in these matters.

Also, I would add that there are several clergy of the ACCC who were turned down for the same reasons. These dossiers did not cross my desk, as they were handled by Cardinal Collins office.

I hope this information will be helpful to you and will help us be at peace about how the Ordinariate is being implemented.

In Christ,

Fr. Scott