“Look at the language (which I have quoted above). Canon III.12.7 says by its own terms that it cannot be used in the case of any person who ‘is subject to the provisions of Canon IV.8.’ The canons in Title IV all deal with punishment for violations of the Canons. The canons in Title III, however, have to do with the ordinary life and ministry of the clergy, not with punishment.
“By first invoking Title IV against the Texas bishop, she charged him with a presentable offense. Then, however, she resorted to Title III so she could get rid of him a little sooner. That was ‘a big no-no’, as you Americans are wont to say, because by using Title III she exonerated him of the charges she had made under Title IV—without actually announcing that she had done so, and without apologizing for invoking Title IV in the first place.
Read it all (and make sure to note the interaction in the comments between A.S. Haley and Thomas Woodward).
Masterful, both the piece and Haley+’s retort to Fr. Woodward. He paints a vivid picture of an 815 simply throwing whatever might be at hand at anyone that crosses it. It is clearly out of control.
Live by the Canon. Die by the Canon.