Sunday, August 17, 2008

Archdiocese Names Jennifer Haselberger as Chancellor for Canonical Affairs

The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis has named Jennifer Haselberger as Chancellor for Canonical Affairs. Faithful Catholics are wondering what's going on?

The announcement states, in part:
Jennifer M. Haselberger, bishop’s delegate for canonical affairs of the Diocese of Fargo, will join the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis as chancellor for canonical affairs on August 18th. She succeeds Sister Dominica Brennan, OP, who is leaving the Archdiocese after 16 years of service, to assume a new position as Director of Mission Integration for her order, the Dominican Sisters of Springfield, Illinois.

Haselberger, who holds a PhD in philosophy from the University of London and a licentiate in canon law from Catholic University Leuven in Belgium, has served the diocese of Fargo as bishop’s delegate for canonical affairs since December of 2007, though she has done canonical law work for that diocese since 2006. Before joining the Fargo diocese, she was chancellor and director of the tribunal for the Diocese of Crookston, Minnesota where she also served as Director of Safe Environment....

We're wondering why there are no priests with Canon Law experience put forth as Chancellor. And there is this statement: “Married Priests Are Valid,” whatever that might mean, since we have not read her doctoral thesis. But the group "Rent-A-Priest" was all giddy about her thesis, as we read at its website here:

Leuven Canonist Says: “Married Priests Are Valid”
10/31/2004
by Jennifer Haselberger

Canon Lawyer Jennifer Haselberger recently chose CITI Ministries and Rent A Priest for her doctoral thesis at Leuven University in Belgium. She concluded that "the faithful have the right to approach ‘suspended’ priests for the sacraments." And, "Since an obligation to do this is expressed in the Code of Canon Law, it would seem that in ministering of these people the ‘Rent-A-Priests’ are acting in a canonically valid way." Haselberger also indicated that certain Canons oblige the bishops to "take care of all within the diocese" (i.e., 383.1, 2, 3; 528, 729).
It seems that there is more vetting to do before naming a "Chancellor for Canonical Affairs." Is this the best the Archdiocese can do or is there more to this than meets the eye?

HT to Peter C. for the links.

5 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:48 PM

    Is she married? Does she have any children? Just wondering while reading the press announcement. If she is married, it would odd not to mention it.

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  2. What does it matter if she is married or has children?

    What does that have to do with her qualifications to hold this position at all?

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  3. Anonymous7:02 PM

    Yes she is married and apparently "apart". Not relevant though to her position, but her track record is and much prayer is needed for the archdiocese and especially the diocese of Fargo where much persecution is going on undercover. Please pray for protection of our priests. We cannot understand why she was brought in after being put out of Crookston and previous places. She looks young,long (colored) blond hair and wears short skirts and often red and black. She apparently is very efficient but also delights in "catching" a priest out. Very sad, we must pray for her.

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  4. Anonymous9:02 PM

    wondering why my previous comment did not appear? It was respectful and very factual. V

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  5. Anonymous3:29 AM

    She is the smartest and most competent person,I 've ever met in my life. Justice will always be her main motive (not cathing out priests). I am sure her husband misses her.

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Please keep your comments civil and respectful!