MP Statement by Diocese of Camden, NJ

Official Statement from the Diocese of Camden, NJ (USA).

STATEMENT OF THE DIOCESE OF CAMDEN
on Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum,
permitting the wider use of the 1962 Missal

The Holy Father in his Apostolic Letter recognizes the richness of the Church’s liturgical traditions and is sensitive to the pastoral needs of persons who are attached to the older form of the Mass.  He also affirms the normative place of the new Mass and, in his accompanying letter to the world’s bishops, the importance of the reforms called for by the Second Vatican Council.
While in strictly practical terms the Motu Proprio will not result in a change in the way most Catholics experience the Mass, the grant of a wider permission by the Holy Father for the celebration of the Mass published by Blessed John XXIII should be a source of healing for the Church, as it will promote respect, reconciliation and unity among those who are drawn to the two liturgical forms.     
It also is hoped that the Holy Father’s emphasis on the importance of reverent, well-celebrated liturgies will inspire everywhere liturgies of beauty and integrity, will promote the active participation of the faithful in the celebration of the Mass, and will enkindle a lively faith in the People of God.

It is almost as if they have been reading What Does The Prayer Really Say?

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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6 Comments

  1. Serafino says:

    This is just my opinion, but I really don’t see this statement as a whole hearted endorsement of the MP. It seems to be saying, “Well, the Pope is going to allow this Mass for those very few people who could never get used the way we liturgists do things these days. It is really no big deal, and for most us things are going to be “the same old, the same old.” It sounds to me like a lot of churchspeak and spin.

    On a lighter note, it seems as if the MP is already having some positive effects. Yes, it is the first time in 40 years progressive priests have put on black vestments and have been chanting the Dies Irae non stop since Saturday!

  2. Michael says:

    I have to disagree with Serafino. As in Fr. Z’s emphasis, the DOC shows it understands the MP as a source of healing for the Church, not division. They also make it clear in towards the end that they want well-celebrated Masses of the newer Missal to inspire congregations. On a questioning note, however, the term “active participation” always makes me a bit wary – in other words, how does the DOC understand active participation?

    God bless!

  3. maynardus says:

    Bishop Matano of Burlington (Vermont – a good man and a good bishop) has issued a pastoral letter which has a similar tone – and he is going to lead by example:

    http://www.vermontcatholic.org/Vatican/SumPont-BishopMatano.htm

    When we read letters like this as less-than “whole-hearted endorsements” of the m.p. we need to remember that the bishops are addressing all of their priests and faithful, not just the traddies. Read between the lines a little. The previous bishop was unlikely to have ever granted an indult under any circumstances while Bishop Matano has only been constrained thus far by practical reasons – a shortage of priests.

  4. Aelric says:

    “While in strictly practical terms the Motu Proprio will not result in a change in the way most Catholics experience the Mass”

    How can this statement be anything but apalling? What does the Bishop of Camden think the Holy Father is trying to achieve with Sacramentum Caritatis and Summorum Pontificum?

  5. fxr2 says:

    Father Z and Aelric,
    I pray that there will be a goodly number of pastors and priests in the Diocese of Camden, and the Church as a whole, that will be bold enough to exercise their newly granted right to offer the Extraordinary Form Latin Rite. I pray also that their use of the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite will reform the use of the Ordinary Form of the Latin Rite. I am sure some brave priests will exercise their right.

    I believe that Bishop Galante is being realistic with his statement, “While in strictly practical terms the Motu Proprio will not result in a change in the way most Catholics experience the Mass…”. At least for now. Some Pastors will utilize their right most will not. I do believe that as time goes on, as more and more younger and more traditional priests become pastors This will change. I pray also that this will be so.

    FXR2

  6. ALL: I find the statement of the Diocese of Camden to be pretty good, all in all. It was short. Short is good! It was positive. That is good. There has been a good experience of a parish with the older Mass in Camden, at Mater Ecclesiae. Remember, this is really new ground for many bishops. This is probably scary stuff. I see this statement as being pretty positive.

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