The authors of the specified letter, which can be seen here, emphasize their respect for the Congregation of the Incarnate Word’s right to make decisions regarding their priests and understand that Father Domingo himself, having taken vows of obedience, must adhere to them.
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However, according to them, “obedience does not mean that the community must remain silent about what this decision means to them.”
According to the community, over more than 20 years, Father Domingo has become an integral part of many people’s lives – accompanying them through the most important moments, working with youth, participating in camps, building communities, and being close to families.
The letter emphasizes that such bonds do not disappear with one decision. “The spiritual and human connections formed over 23 years of service cannot simply be replaced by another appointment,” state its authors.
The community also openly expresses concern about what the priest’s departure will mean for the future. In their opinion, long-term trust between the priest and the people is built over years, so its sudden termination could weaken the community.
Nevertheless, the authors of the letter stress that they do not wish to conflict with the congregation and thank it for the priests and monks serving in Lithuania. They only ask to reconsider the decision and consider the possibility of Father Domingo continuing his pastoral service in Lithuania.
“Not against anyone. For the person, the priesthood, the community, and the bonds that have been built for more than twenty years,” say the initiative’s authors.
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People for whom Father Domingo’s service was important are invited to join the #EndlessMission initiative and sign the appeal.
Official letter
Dear leaders of the Institute of the Incarnate Word,
Dear Pontifical Delegate,
Father Domingo’s service in Lithuania is very important to me and our community.
Over more than two decades of his service in Lithuania, he has become a spiritual companion, priest, and community person to many. The fruits of his service have been cultivated over many years, so they cannot be evaluated merely from the perspective of an administrative appointment.
Respecting the Institute leadership’s right to make decisions and Father Domingo’s monastic obedience, I ask you to reconsider the decision to send him from Lithuania to study in Italy and to evaluate the possibility of him continuing his pastoral service in Lithuania.
I believe that the sudden termination of pastoral and human bonds built over more than two decades may do more harm than good to the community – weakening people’s trust, interrupting the spiritual accompaniment developed over many years, and diminishing the fruits of this service already matured.
Please, when making the final decision, listen to the people whom Father Domingo served and whose lives his priesthood has left an important mark on.
I hope for a decision that will protect not only the needs of the Institute but also the community created over many years, mutual trust, and its spiritual good.
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