Monday, January 8, 2007
Pope picks up the phone in defense of the Old Rite
BY MARK GREAVES, Catholic Herald 5 Jan 2007
POPE BENEDICT XVI has spoken by telephone to a number of French bishops to persuade them to accept a wider use of the Tridentine Mass, it has been claimed.
The Pontiff brought French bishops who oppose the Tridentine Mass "to a reluctant but decisive change of view", according to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP), an organisation of Old Rite priests that the Pope strongly supports.
It is widely expected that a papal document will soon be released to allow priests to celebrate the Tridentine Mass – using the pre-Vatican II 1962 Latin Missal – without the explicit permission of the local bishop, though probably only in the low-key setting of a "private" celebration. The document, which will be released motu proprio, or on the Pope’s own initiative, has caused concern among bishops in France, where traditionalist groups are particularly active.
But efforts by the French episcopate to "torpedo" the initiative have failed, according to Videre Petrum, the FSSP’s British newsletter.
"It is said that the mild but persuasive words of Pope Benedict, who personally spoke by telephone to many of the most intransigent enemies of tradition among the bishops of France, worked a sort of miracle, and brought them to a reluctant but decisive change of view, or at least to a recognition of the limits of disobedience," the newsletter said. Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, a former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, said last month that the Vatican’s Ecclesia Dei commission had discussed the document and would pass on its conclusions to the Pope.
The cardinal added that he did not expect the commission, set up in 1988 to oversee Vatican relations with traditionalists, to discuss the document any further.
Commentators say priests will be allowed to celebrate the Tridentine Rite without permission at "private Masses" that would be nevertheless be open to the public.
The proposed reform would put pressure on the bishops of England and Wales to adopt a more welcoming stance towards the FSSP, which currently has only two priests based in London
POPE BENEDICT XVI has spoken by telephone to a number of French bishops to persuade them to accept a wider use of the Tridentine Mass, it has been claimed.
The Pontiff brought French bishops who oppose the Tridentine Mass "to a reluctant but decisive change of view", according to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP), an organisation of Old Rite priests that the Pope strongly supports.
It is widely expected that a papal document will soon be released to allow priests to celebrate the Tridentine Mass – using the pre-Vatican II 1962 Latin Missal – without the explicit permission of the local bishop, though probably only in the low-key setting of a "private" celebration. The document, which will be released motu proprio, or on the Pope’s own initiative, has caused concern among bishops in France, where traditionalist groups are particularly active.
But efforts by the French episcopate to "torpedo" the initiative have failed, according to Videre Petrum, the FSSP’s British newsletter.
"It is said that the mild but persuasive words of Pope Benedict, who personally spoke by telephone to many of the most intransigent enemies of tradition among the bishops of France, worked a sort of miracle, and brought them to a reluctant but decisive change of view, or at least to a recognition of the limits of disobedience," the newsletter said. Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, a former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, said last month that the Vatican’s Ecclesia Dei commission had discussed the document and would pass on its conclusions to the Pope.
The cardinal added that he did not expect the commission, set up in 1988 to oversee Vatican relations with traditionalists, to discuss the document any further.
Commentators say priests will be allowed to celebrate the Tridentine Rite without permission at "private Masses" that would be nevertheless be open to the public.
The proposed reform would put pressure on the bishops of England and Wales to adopt a more welcoming stance towards the FSSP, which currently has only two priests based in London
Labels: Holy Father, Liturgy, News, Traditionalism
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Cool blog.
I heard that there was a Tridentine Mass celebrated by a visiting FSSP priest recently.
Did you attend?
I heard that there was a Tridentine Mass celebrated by a visiting FSSP priest recently.
Did you attend?
Hello Andrew,
Yes, there was. The Mass was well attended (approx. 500 people) and it was very emotional. Both priest and laity cried when the topic of authentic, orthodox Catholicism was touched on. Many people are singing praises of the Mass and the standard of FSSP's seminary training and are looking forward to the next Mass.
Praise God! I hope to post some pictures soon. This is an historic event as it's the first time a (approved) Tridentine Mass has been celebrated in the beautiful gothic St. Joseph's Church.
God bless!
P.s. You're running a great blog, I'll link to Unam Sanctam.
Yes, there was. The Mass was well attended (approx. 500 people) and it was very emotional. Both priest and laity cried when the topic of authentic, orthodox Catholicism was touched on. Many people are singing praises of the Mass and the standard of FSSP's seminary training and are looking forward to the next Mass.
Praise God! I hope to post some pictures soon. This is an historic event as it's the first time a (approved) Tridentine Mass has been celebrated in the beautiful gothic St. Joseph's Church.
God bless!
P.s. You're running a great blog, I'll link to Unam Sanctam.
Thanks.
I'm glad to hear that despite His Grace, Archbishop Chia's decision not to publicise the Mass, so many people still managed to attend and glorify God.
If more people were to realize the birthright that we have given up for a mess of pottage as did Esau of old, they'd all be crying too.
The only concern I have about the rumoured motu proprio is that currently, the Classical Roman Rite is celebrated by aficionados who are competent, reverent and highly trained. When the liberalization finally comes, what is to prevent irreverent Pian Rite Masses? I'm sure if the FSSP priests were to celebrated the Pauline Rite Mass, it would also be wonderfully reverent and prayerful. But these same priests who mangle the Pauline Rite could also do so to the Pian Rite. Remember the mumbled Low Masses of old?
I'm all for the liberalization of the Pian Rite, with all the abundant graces that it promises to bestow on God's people. But I am also fearful.
Do share out the photos if you have them.
I'm glad to hear that despite His Grace, Archbishop Chia's decision not to publicise the Mass, so many people still managed to attend and glorify God.
If more people were to realize the birthright that we have given up for a mess of pottage as did Esau of old, they'd all be crying too.
The only concern I have about the rumoured motu proprio is that currently, the Classical Roman Rite is celebrated by aficionados who are competent, reverent and highly trained. When the liberalization finally comes, what is to prevent irreverent Pian Rite Masses? I'm sure if the FSSP priests were to celebrated the Pauline Rite Mass, it would also be wonderfully reverent and prayerful. But these same priests who mangle the Pauline Rite could also do so to the Pian Rite. Remember the mumbled Low Masses of old?
I'm all for the liberalization of the Pian Rite, with all the abundant graces that it promises to bestow on God's people. But I am also fearful.
Do share out the photos if you have them.
Right on, this is one concern.
Although, I believe that both rites can co-exist side by side...
http://deo-juvante.blogspot.com/2006/10/open-letter-will-pending-indult-split.html
... my other concern would be the visible contridictions between the rituals of both rites. For example, in the Pian Rite, the priest needs to keep his index and thumb together as a sign of reverence to the true presence or whereby communion can only be given on tongue. In the new rite the former has been abandoned while the later has become an option.
Respect to our Lord must be maintained universal in all rites. 'Variation' of the given reverence should not be option if both rites are equally efficacious and both deal with the consecration of the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ must be dignified equally in both rites.
This is where the "Reforms of the reforms" comes into play.
Although I love the old rite, I can also envision a glorious and reverent celebration of the New Rite of Mass through the "Reform of the Reforms" and the rightful/faithful interpretations of the SV2 documents.
Although, I believe that both rites can co-exist side by side...
http://deo-juvante.blogspot.com/2006/10/open-letter-will-pending-indult-split.html
... my other concern would be the visible contridictions between the rituals of both rites. For example, in the Pian Rite, the priest needs to keep his index and thumb together as a sign of reverence to the true presence or whereby communion can only be given on tongue. In the new rite the former has been abandoned while the later has become an option.
Respect to our Lord must be maintained universal in all rites. 'Variation' of the given reverence should not be option if both rites are equally efficacious and both deal with the consecration of the body, blood, soul and divinity of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ must be dignified equally in both rites.
This is where the "Reforms of the reforms" comes into play.
Although I love the old rite, I can also envision a glorious and reverent celebration of the New Rite of Mass through the "Reform of the Reforms" and the rightful/faithful interpretations of the SV2 documents.
Are there any pictures of the previous mass by Fr. Wong in Holy Cross Church, Sg?
# posted by 
: Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:17:00 AM
: Thursday, January 11, 2007 10:17:00 AM
Pictures of Fr Duncan Wong assisting at mass with Cardinal Joseph Zen ( no less!) can be found on www.unavoce.org under "Cardinal Zen celebrates Trad Mass in Hong Kong."
Fr Wong's Mass at St Joseph's was amazing, perhaps the most beautiful we have experienced in Singapore. Does anybody know when he will be back to say another Tridentine Mass?
Fr Wong's Mass at St Joseph's was amazing, perhaps the most beautiful we have experienced in Singapore. Does anybody know when he will be back to say another Tridentine Mass?
# posted by : Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:07:00 PM
: Thursday, January 11, 2007 2:07:00 PM
If only more ordinary bishops would celebrate a Solemn High Pontifical Mass in their cathedrals. Is it wishful thinking of me to hope for Archbishop Nicholas Chia doing that?
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# posted by : Thursday, January 11, 2007 3:48:00 PM
: Thursday, January 11, 2007 3:48:00 PMSubscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
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