Clerical change announced in Detroit: Three theologians dismissed from Sacred Heart Seminary by the local archbishop
In a surprising turn of events, Edward Peters, a renowned canon lawyer and former holder of the Edmund Martin Lawrence Chair at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, has been dismissed from his teaching contract. The move, announced this week, has drawn attention due to Archbishop Edward J. Weisenburger's controversial June restriction of 13 churches from saying Mass in the extraordinary form. Peters' dismissal comes amidst growing criticism of the archbishop's handling of traditionalist practices within the archdiocese. Peters, who served as a professor at the seminary since 2015, has a civil law degree and a doctorate in canon law from different institutions. He is known for his extensive work in the field of canon law, having published several monographs on the subject and maintaining a website dedicated to it (www.canonlaw.info). Ralph Martin, another prominent figure dismissed from the seminary, was a professor of theology and director of graduate programs in the new evangelization. Martin, who founded Renewal Ministries, had been working at the seminary since 2002. Eduardo Echeverria, a professor of theology and philosophy at the seminary since 2003, was also terminated. Like Martin, Echeverria did not provide a reason for his termination, citing a non-disclosure agreement. Echeverria holds a doctorate in philosophy from the Free University in Amsterdam and a licentiate in sacred theology from the University of St. Thomas Aquinas in Rome. Archbishop Weisenburger, who was taught by Sr. Francis Rose Dinkel during his time as a student, terminated the positions of these three theologians. Weisenburger, before his later roles as Archdiocesan Archivist and Bishop of Tucson, has not provided specific reasons for their termination, mentioning concerns about their theological perspectives. The document stating the ban on the 'ad orientem' posture for saying Mass, which was later removed from the public portion of the archdiocese's website, has further fuelled speculation about the archbishop's motives. This series of events marks a significant shift in the academic and theological landscape of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, with the dismissal of three prominent figures and the controversial restrictions on traditionalist practices within the archdiocese.
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