Reunited

Ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in public (in five years), Archbishop and Mrs Emmanuel Milingo.

According to the wires, Maria Sung is now using her husband's surname. As previously mentioned here, Milingo appeared earlier today at a convocation for illicitly married priests which runs through Tuesday in New Jersey.

In an interview with the Italian journal 30 giorni serialised by Zenit earlier this week, new Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, SDB spoke about his role in quelling the Moonie wedding brouhaha of 2001 and the controversial Zambian prelate's latest exploits:

Another personal commission [Bertone received from] John Paul II was to assist the former Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo of Lusaka, Zambia, in August 2001, when he decided to return to the Catholic Church after his civil marriage within the Moon sect.

"I only wish to say that his return after his first elopement filled me with joy and that I am very sad today by this second fall. I hope and pray that he will finally take up his post again in the Catholic Church. I have entrusted this to the intercession of the servant of God, Pope John Paul II," said the cardinal.

Given the delicacy of the situation, it might be time for another Wojtyla apparition -- this time to advise Bertone on a manner of proceeding.

SVILUPPO: Fresh off the wires, Milingo has been formally notified of impending ecclesiastical sanction -- and he's retorted:

Milingo said that Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, head of the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops, has demanded that Milingo send a letter of repentance by Oct. 15 to Pope Benedict XVI or face "canonical suspension."

"Your behavior, activities and public statements during these past few months are completely contrary to the obligation of every bishop," Re wrote in the letter, a copy of which was shown to The Associated Press. "In the name of Jesus Christ, I beg you to reflect seriously on your behavior and all its consequences."

Milingo, the retired archbishop of Zambia, was in New Jersey with is wife, Maria, for a conference of priests and their wives organized by his new advocacy group, Married Priests Now!. Asked how he would respond to the Vatican, he said, "I will stay with them" - meaning married priests.

Well, there you have it.

PHOTO: AP/Tim Larsen

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