Xavier Novell Goma, former bishop of Solsona, in Spain, and psychologist Sílvia Caballol, married in the Catholic Church as announced by Caballol. The laicized bishop was granted a dispensation by Pope Francis in accord with Canon Law 401. The couple were married civilly on Monday, November 22, 2021, in the Súria justice of the peace (Barcelona). Xavier Novell, at the age of 41, in 2010, became the youngest bishop in Spain, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. He is now 54 years old, while Caballol was born in 1983 in Súria. Caballol, who is also a famous author, has a degree in psychology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), university where she has also completed a postgraduate degree in Health Psychology.
Canon Law 401 States: §2. A diocesan bishop who has become less able to fulfill his office because of ill health or some other grave cause is earnestly requested to present his resignation from office.
On her Instagram, Silvia wrote,
I honestly believed, after so much time that you have been with us, not to hide from you that Xavier and I have finally been able to get married in the Church, thanks to the mercy of the Holy Father who has granted him secularization. I have been in awe of the great human and spiritual quality of Pope Francis. It has been a long road, but we have been able to regularize our canonical situation: marry as we wished and be able to receive communion again. He remains a bishop, but without being able to exercise the ministry.Many would have preferred to hide this information, but I have always believed that if one is convinced of what one does and feels, one must bet on naturalness, normality, transparency, go head-on, leaving no room for speculation, and walk under the light I don't think darkness is what deserves our love, nor the Church. Nor do I believe that the concealment that accompanied my husband's resignation two and a half years ago was at all a success.
Forgive all of you who think it would have been better to keep it a secret, but I cannot continue to act as I do not think or feel.
Having said that, I can't do anything but show, once again, the beauty of love.
Happy Easter Monday, day to be reborn like flowers, to sprout like trees and to resurrect like Man.
FORMER PRESS RELEASE OF THE DIOCESE OF SOLSONA
Solsona, 23 August 2021, 12 noonToday, the Holy See has made public the simpliciter acceptance by the Holy Father of the renunciation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Solsona that our Bishop, HE Mons. Xavier Novell i Gomà, has freely presented for strictly personal reasons, in accordance with what is contemplated in canon 401 §2 of the Code of Canon Law.
Mons. Novell made the decision after a period of reflection, discernment and prayer, at the end of which he spontaneously presented to the Holy Father his own situation and his resignation from the pastoral government of the diocese of Solsona.
At the same time, the Holy Father has appointed HE Mons. Roman Casanova i Casanova, Bishop of Vic, Apostolic Administrator of Solsona during the vacant see. The diocesan community of Solsona welcomes this difficult moment with the trust placed in God, Supreme Shepherd of the Church, and raises his prayers for the Holy Father, for Mons. Novell and by the Apostolic Administrator.
Diocese of Solsona
August 23, 2021
https://bisbatsolsona.cat/2021/08/renuncia-del-bisbe-de-solsona-renuncia-del-obispo-de-solsona/
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