Archbishop of Braga, Portugal cold toward Summorum Pontificum

A kind reader alerts us to bad news from Portugal:

From an interview of the Portugese Magazine Expresso (23 November) with the Archbishop of Braga, H.E. Most Rev. Jorge Ortiga (President of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference) we read the following (not my translation):
 

 

[Expresso] The return of the Latin masses has generated contradictory reactions. Portugal seems indifferent relatively to this decision of the Pope.

[Archbishop Jorge Ortiga] The document of Benedict XVI authorizes the Latin Masses, but with many restrictions. There is a difficulty from the start, because priests currently have scarce knowledge of Latin. It is a possibility which seems very remote among us, though it may make more sense in other countries. The Latin Mass may be understood, for example, in areas where there are linguistic divisions, but as long as this practice is not seen as a means of affirmation of pre-Vatican II Council mentalities.

 

There are really very FEW restrictions, so the answer was misleading.

And what is a "pre-Vatican II mentality"?

And this is a diocese where there is preserved a historical Latin Rite, the Braga Rite.

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15 Comments

  1. Syriacus says:

    The Pope as soon as possible should order him to celebrate a Tradional Braga Mass in Latin coram Pontifice in Saint Peter’s..!!

  2. Danilo says:

    Well, well, well

    That’s the new Portugal…with new bishops and with a “pos-Vatican II Council mentalities”.

    Unfortunately, we are seeing big (real big)transformations and we are very worried with the country of Our Lady of Fatima!!!

    The bishops dont understand the word “Obediência” (Obedience).
    Too bad and so sad…

    Congratulations Fr. Z for your good work!

    Que Nossa Senhora de Fátima, mãe dos portugueses, ajude e interceda por vosso apostolado de defesa da fé católica!

    Danilo
    São Paulo – Brasil (With “s”, not “z”)

  3. Fr Ray Blake says:

    At the recent ad limina visit of the Portugese bishops, the Pope told the Portugese heirarchy to get their thinking inline with the “true” spirit of Vatican II, see-
    http://ttonys-blog.blogspot.com/
    -this is obviously an example of them being out of touch with both Pope and Council

  4. “In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved …”

    Sometimes I ponder what that means, in new Europe.

  5. Woody Jones says:

    “And what is a “pre-Vatican II mentality”?”

    A pre-Revolutionary mentality, evidently.

  6. chironomo says:

    We can only hope that there will be decisive and forceful action from the Holy See on the issue of these many Bishop’s repudiation of Summorum Pontificum. The longer the contradictory statements go unaddressed, the more likely it is that the results of any action will be ineffective. It seems obvious enough to me that when a document which very clearly LIFTS RESTRICTIONS is characterized as imposing many restrictions, there is an attempt to contradict. Contradicting a direct teaching of the Holy See is no small matter, particularly for a Bishop. Where is the justice here?

  7. dcs says:

    “In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved …”

    Sometimes I ponder what that means, in new Europe.

    My theory is that the (unrevealed) phrase following those words starts with “unless.”

  8. Ben of the Bayou says:

    Dear Father Z,

    Sorry to hear about yet another Bishop who must truly think that he is serving his flock, but in reality has the underlying idea that the Supreme Pontiff does not know the “real” needs of the Church. All the readers should pray that he deepen his understanding of ecclesial communion, both with contemporary Church and with the great Tradition of all times.

    BTW, I am curious to know something about your usage. Why do you write “His Excellency (H.E.) Most Reverend…” instead of “His Excellency The Most Reverend…”? Have I been incorrectly taught traditional style? Please educate me.

    God’s blessings.
    Ben

  9. Ben of the Bayou says:

    Dear Father Z,

    Sorry to hear about yet another Bishop who must truly think that he is serving his flock, but in reality has the underlying idea that the Supreme Pontiff does not know the “real” needs of the Church. All the readers should pray that he deepen his understanding of ecclesial communion, both with the contemporary Church and with the great Tradition of all times.

    BTW, I am curious to know something about your usage. Why do you write “His Excellency (H.E.) Most Reverend…” instead of “His Excellency The Most Reverend…”? Have I been incorrectly taught traditional style? Please educate me.

    God’s blessings.
    Ben

  10. Habemus Papam says:

    It strikes me that Our Lady did not say “Portugal will always preserve the dogma of the faith” but, rather “IN Portugal…..”. (I suspect the next sentence goes something like “The Church of Rome will fall into apostacy”).

  11. David Kubiak says:

    It has always been a mystery to me why and how the southern European countries, who were the most extravagant in their baroque liturgical expressions, immediately after the Council embraced a violently contradictory ethos. One of the aethetically worst Masses I have ever attended was celebrated in the Cathedral at Palermo — what I would give to have been present at a Pontifical function there fifty years ago.

  12. Henry Edwards says:

    And what is a “pre-Vatican II mentality”?

    Given the context, I infer that it characterizes those who — despite the prevailing “spirit of Vatican II” that has so long delayed an authentic implementation of Vatican II — have remained faithfully Catholic through it all.

  13. David O'Rourke says:

    Ben is quite right and it is good to see this matter raised as the correct form is seldom seen. The title Reverend is always preceeded by the definite article “The” just like the secular title “The Honourable”. Thus, The Rev. John Smith, The Hon. John Smith, The Rt. Hon. John Smith, The Most Rev. John Smith and so on.

  14. Emilio says:

    David, in the USA the article is normally not used by Catholic clergymen (though it is by Protestants). When I first came here I assumed that this was due to Catholics abbreviating the Latin rather than the English title, which made the article superfluous.

    But then I remember being shocked at seeing my First Communion cards printed with the celebrant’s title as “El Rvdo Padre”. I admit that he always seemed rather rude, but to actually put it in print seemed rather extreme at the time…

  15. TerryC says:

    Being as, I seem to recall, that Latin is required to be taught at seminary according to canon law, how long will these disobedient bishops point to their own failure to ensure their priest are proficient in Latin as an excuse for once again failing to obey?

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