Here’s a curious bit of news about a former deacon determined to become a priest in a schismatic church:

The Diocese of Scranton is notifying parishioners that James Calderone, a former deacon at St. Aloysius Church of Wilkes-Barre, will be excommunicated if he carries through with the decision to become an ordained priest in the American Catholic Church.

The diocese issued a statement on its Web site, (www.dioceseofscranton.org), Monday addressing the circumstances and directing parishioners, priests and other Roman Catholics not to attend the ordination or related gatherings.

“Our Most Reverend Bishop (Joseph F. Martino) directs that every Catholic in the Diocese of Scranton avoid any participation whatsoever in this offense against religion and the unity of the Church. Participation includes attending the schismatic ritual act itself or any gathering attached thereto,” according to the statement.

Calderone said he plans to be ordained at the end of May by Lawrence Harms, presiding archbishop of the American Catholic Church in the United States.

“For me, the American Catholic Church really takes the best of Catholicism, in my judgment,” Calderone said. “It’s inclusive. It’s ordained ministries are open to men, women, married, single, gay, straight. It does not have those kinds of divisions in terms of its ministries, and its sacraments are open to all, so at communion all are welcome to the table and for baptism as well.”

According to the church’s Web site, it was started in 1999 in Maryland and “affirms traditional Catholic beliefs of faith and love, spirituality, community and prayer. It celebrates the seven sacraments and adheres to the essential Catholic doctrine and practice as expressed and implied in the statements of Vatican Council II, and in the light of the best contemporary thought.”

It is inclusive, proactive and compassionate, according to its Web site, and does not discriminate based on marital status, sexuality or orientation.

Calderone said he was a deacon at St. Aloysius for nine years, and turned in his resignation in November. He has been accepted as a deacon into the American Catholic Church and is providing home and outreach ministry. After his ordination, he will be able to give Mass.

Calderone lives in Kingston with his wife, Annette, who intends to remain a Roman Catholic and is a Eucharistic minister at St. Ignatius Church in Kingston.

I think we need to remember this man — and his wife — in our prayers.