Nine Ukranian monks were reportedly removed from the monastic discipline last month for engaging in unapproved exorcisms and following the orders of a self-proclaimed "prophetess."
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church (UGCC) reported on its official website on March 20 that Pope Francis had approved the decrees of Archbishop and Metropolitan Basil (Semeniuk) to remove the nine monks.
The monks have reportedly violated monastic discipline and have performed exorcism prayers without authorization at monasteries in Kolodiivka and Velyki Borky. Some of the monks were reportedly guided by the orders of a so-called "prophetess."
"She seemed to hear the voice of God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit, Sacred Virgin Mary, and some saints. Some of the messages were written down by Father Planchak. The priest confirmed their veracity and origin from God but did not have the authorities for this as the Synod of UGCC officially claimed," said the Church.
A re-organization of St. Theodore the Studite monastery had taken place following an investigation conducted by a special commission. However, some monks reportedly refused to accept the comments of the church authorities and refused to obey. They continued violating monastic rules and were said to be illegally settled in the village of Posich in Ivano-Frankivsk region.
"After the proper warnings, nine monks were defrocked. Pope personally approved this decision," a statement read.
Under the decrees approved by Francis, the monks were stripped from the monastic state, and were no longer allowed to wear monastic clothes. They have also lost all rights and were deprived of all duties arising from taking monastic vows and are no longer allowed to call themselves monks.
Additionally, the decree stripped monks Antony-Gregory (born Roman Planchak) and Andrij (Mykola Kostevsky) of their rights to conduct any religious rites, such as Divinie Liturgy, administering the Holy Mysteries and other services in or outside the temple. The UGCC noted that Francis' decision was final and cannot be appealed.
The Church's canon law recognizes exorcism, but only when high-level permission was obtained from within the church. Priests are advised to consider all medical explanations before proceeding to an exorcism.
In 2014, the Vatican approved the International Association of Exorcists, which was founded in 1990 and has about 200 licensed members on six continents.
A weeklong international course on the subject has been scheduled by the Vatican in April at the Pontificial Atheneum Regina Apostolorum.
