Windhoek, Namibia - THE High Court yesterday excommunicated beleaguered parish priest Father Gert Petrus from the Roman Catholic Church.
The interim order was made final by Judge Raymond Heathcote in the absence of any affidavits or a legal representative to oppose it.
Since the end of May, the interim order had prohibited Petrus from conducting any church services at the St Mary's Help of Christians church in Khomasdal and forced him to vacate the parish house, Legal outfit Hennie Barnard and Partners informed the court last week that they were withdrawing as Petrus's legal representatives, after they were unable to contact him to sign documents that had to be submitted to the court.
Father Petrus left for South Africa shortly after the interim order was granted on May 31.
Petrus arrived at the court yesterday unaware of what had transpired in his absence.
He said later that he was unaware that he was expected to sign any documents.
He maintains that he was contactable in South Africa.
The Bishop's office allegedly would not provide contact details for him in South Africa.
Petrus was bewildered and despondent about developments and still reviewing his options when approached by The Namibian.
But true to his fighting spirit, he vowed not to let the matter rest.
"Something very odd is going on here. But this is not the end of it. I'm not leaving it here," he said.
Petrus added that he was "confused" that a State court had ordered his excommunication, maintaining that according to canon law, and given that Namibia was a secular state, only the church could issue such a decree.
Petrus said he was considering a defamation suit against the church for tarnishing his name and reputation.
The court order comes a year after the Archdiocese in Windhoek first tried to remove Petrus after a group of parishioners complained of alleged inappropriate behaviour, including allegations of drunkenness and practising witchcraft.
Petrus has maintained his innocence throughout and refused to leave the church property on the orders of Archbishop Liborius Nashenda, saying correct procedure for his dismissal had not been followed.
The church, which was locked on Nashenda's orders in October, was once again opened for services after Petrus left the premises in mid-June.
But Petrus's departure has failed to reconcile the parish and recent reconciliation attempts appear to have come to nought.
Two weeks ago, the Bishop called a meeting of 10 representatives from each side to a meeting as a first step towards trying to iron out differences.
But the group that pushed for the removal of Petrus apparently did not show up.
Despite the church being opened for services, Petrus supporters continued holding their own services in the church hall, until two weeks ago when they agreed to attend to begin the reconciliation process.
Angered that their suggestions for the process had apparently been cast aside, they refused to return last Sunday.