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OMV and SJ superiors line up against Pope Benedict and Summorum Pontificum.
The provisions of Summorum Pontificum are meeting with resistance on the part of some diocesan bishops.
However, the Motu Proprio also speaks of the role of religious major superiors.
Some parishes are run not by diocesan priests, but by religious. While they are not entirely autonomous from the local bishop, they are very much influenced by the will of the superiors of the order or institute that take care of them.
Some religious superiors are showing their real attitude toward the Holy Father, his provisions, the rights of the faithful and the Roman Rite.
Let’s take two examples, one from the USA and one from Italy.
In the USA we have the case of the Oblates of the Virgin Mary, OMV’s.
At Saint Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, CA, USA, there was a older form low Mass for a few months. One day as Mass was ending the pastor announced that the head of his order had told OMV priests to stop saying the older form of Mass because providing the TLM was an "apostolate" that the OMV does not embrace. He also said that the 170 person average Sunday attendance was insufficient to justify the Mass there. Some parishioners expressed their dismay, but the pastor was adamant.
I wrote about this back on 13 February.
Some parishioners began writing to the superiors of the OMVs.
Here is an example of a response:
Dear Ms. _,In a nutshell, must we conclude that the OMV’s have determined that they are somehow separate from the rest of the Church in regard to use of the fullness of the Roman Rite? That’s is what it looks like. They don’t have the "charism", a slippery term, to provide for the spiritual needs of people through the TLM. They have an apostolate that excludes such people.
I want to thank you for your email and the concerns you shared regarding the Tridentine Mass at St. Peter Chanel. I can understand how the news you have heard regarding the celebration of the extraordinary form is difficult. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify what has happened and to reaffirm our uncompromised fidelity to the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church.
The decision to no longer offer the extraordinary form was made by our Major Superior in Rome in consultation with his Council. He arrived at this decision after careful study of the Motu Proprio in light of our charism and the needs for the people we serve. Each Religious Community and Institute of Consecrated Life, under the direction of its Major Superior has the freedom to determine which apostolic works they wish to undertake according to their charism and spirit. This freedom is described in Article 3 of the "Motu Proprio" and is given to the Major Superior by the Holy Father.
The decision of our Major Superior for our religious community does not mean we not recognize the beauty and the validity of this extraordinary form permitted by our Holy Father, or the real need it provides for some of the Catholic faithful. It means simply this is not an apostolic work that our Major Superior wants us to undertake as a Congregation.
As stated in Article 7, the bishop has the responsibility to provide this form to the Catholic Faithful in his diocese to meet their spiritual needs. We have encouraged those who feel called to worship in the extraordinary form to pursue the options available by the diocese. For example, this extraordinary form continues to be offered in the diocese, and we have encouraged the faithful to attend this Mass if they are feel called to this particular form of worship.
We are grateful to God for the opportunity to offer the beauty of the liturgy to thousands each week. Like the extraordinary form, these liturgies are reverent, prayerful and spiritually nourishing. There have been and continue to be great miracles that take place at St. Peter Chanel parish. Whether it is the approximate 800 people who attend the four daily Masses, the 8,000 people who attend the 12 Sunday Masses or the many hours of confessions on a daily basis, God is working in and through Oblate priests and the parishioners in a powerful way. Our commitment to this spiritual work of mercy, along with the many good works at St. Peter Chanel we pray will only continue.
I thank you again for taking the time to write me. I hope I have helped to clarify your concerns.
With my prayers and warmest regards in Christ,
Fr. Bill Brown, OMV
Provincial
Oblates of the Virgin Mary
Okay. That’s their choice. Too bad.
Apparently the parishioners are still writing and working to resolve this situation and the Provincial has been communicating with the Rector Major, Fr Patrice Veraquin, OMV.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic…
On 23 December 2007 Holy Mass in the TLM was celebrated with great success and participation at a church, S. Stefano, held by the Jesuits at Sanremo, in Northern Italy.
The Jesuits freaked out.
Here is part of a press release from Una Voce in my translation.
But, so much enthusiasm notwithstanding, or perhaps really because of it (if only a few people, maybe even old people, were interested in the old rite, no one would bother to block it) the Superior of the Jesuits in northern Italy, the vice-provincial Fr. Alberto Remondini, immediately went to check out the convent at Sanremo and, a few days before the next Mass was to be celebrated, he decreed, in accord with the Provincial of the Province of Italy of the Jesuits, Fr. Francesco Tata, that "in all the churches in Italy cared for by the Company of Jesus, the Pope’s Motu Proprio cannot be applied and Masses in Latin cannot be celebrated, except for occasional events to be pastorally justified on a case by case basis" (naturally what those "pastoral" exigencies are are not specified). "In any case, " Fr. Remondini continues, "in no case can Mass in Latin have fixed or periodical term, even were it be to be only monthly as in the case of Sanremo."So, the Jesuits in Italy have concluded that the provisions of the Motu Proprio do not apply to people who frequent their parishes. They have determined that pastors of parishes who are Jesuits do not in fact have the rights given to them in Summorum Pontificum.
So, there is some resistance on the part of some diocesans bishops. Religious Superiors also have skin in the game, it seems.
This is a serious matter that only the Holy See can clarify.
I assume that when they say ‘Mass in Latin’, they mean the extraordinary form? Or have the Italian Jesuits actually decided that the offical language of the Roman Catholic Church cannot be used in parishes run by the Jesuits? If that is the case, then things are a lot worse than they seem. It means that notwithstanding the Canons giving the faithful the right to the sacraments in Latin, the Jesuits will not abide by this.
Comment by pro-vita — 27 February 2008 @ 10:48 amFr. Z:
Comment by pro-vita — 27 February 2008 @ 10:50 amI assume that when they say ‘Mass in Latin’, they mean the extraordinary form? Or have the Italian Jesuits actually decided that the official language of the Roman Catholic Church cannot be used in parishes run by the Jesuits? If that is the case, then things are a lot worse than they seem. It means that notwithstanding the Canons giving the faithful the right to the sacraments in Latin, the Jesuits will not abide by this.
This is really a shame. I am familiar with St. Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, and was married there several years ago when I lived in the area. I always found the OMV priests there to be very good and extremely solid. I hope this can be resolved soon and for the better…
Comment by Cal-Brian — 27 February 2008 @ 10:59 amWell then, apparently the charism and apostolate of the OVMs is incompatible with parish ministry. They should continue to serve the parishes of which they have care in all ways (including offering the EF) until such time as they can withdraw from parish ministry and find a ministry more suited to their charism.
By which I mean, an unwillingness (I would also argue an inability) to offer Mass according to the EF is incompatible with parish ministry. One must either bring onesself up to speed or withdraw.
But to stop offering the EF, something to which parishioners have a right, is unacceptable.
Comment by Boko Fittleworth — 27 February 2008 @ 11:04 amI go to Jesuit university and our campus ministry office has put together a
Comment by Ian — 27 February 2008 @ 11:10 amfew Tridentine Masses but they are always during popular class times and poorly
advertised. Many studends who attend believe it is on purpose. The only way to
get anything moving is to band together and just keep requesting it.
I go to Jesuit university and our campus ministry office has put together a
Comment by Ian — 27 February 2008 @ 11:12 amfew Tridentine Masses but they are always during popular class times and poorly
advertised. Many studends who attend believe it is on purpose. The only way to
get anything moving is
The Holy Father has repeatedly requested our prayers that he may have the strength not to flee from the wolves. So... Ave Maria…
Comment by Fr Renzo di Lorenzo (TRILOGY) — 27 February 2008 @ 11:17 amFYI: I usually delete “Anonymous” comments.
Comment by Fr. John Zuhlsdorf — 27 February 2008 @ 11:22 amI do hope the Holy See clarifies this issue and that it’s part of the upcoming clarification document. It’s sad that these superiors, as well as some bishops, place their personal agenda ahead of the spiritual welfare of the souls entrusted to them.
Comment by Paul Murnane — 27 February 2008 @ 11:36 amIt is such a shameful travesty when bishops and heads of orders and other
high profile clerics or religious stand proundly and publicly in
disobedience to the wishes of the Holy Father. What holy vocation would
wish to enter a dissenting order?
And so the Holy Sacrafice of the Mass in the extraordinary form is just
Comment by magdalen — 27 February 2008 @ 11:37 aman ‘apostolate’, one of many to choose from like cleaning up the
environment or protesting for immigrants?
I am startled by the OMV decision. I had an OMV as a spiritual director for four years at Catholic University. My experience was that they were all extremely orthodox, and in fact, my spiritual director encouraged my attendance and participation under the old indult.
Comment by Papabile — 27 February 2008 @ 11:38 amI suppose one needs to go back to the text of the Motu Proprio (haven’t got it in front of me). No priest, religious or secular,can be prevented from offering the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, and ‘public’ celebrations are within the competence of the rector or parish priest. Even if they are ‘unable’ to say this form of the Holy Mass it is for ordinaries (bishop/prelate ?)to make provision. Failing that, the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei. I hope the OMV priest you speak of will continue to offer Mass according to the 1962 missal and take the matter further. Such clear disobedience by the superiors of religious orders sets a bad example to their brethren.They have a right to our obedience, so surely they must obey the Vicar of Christ like everyone else ? The sophistry they use to justify non-compliance is truly unbelievable.
Comment by Fr. Anselm — 27 February 2008 @ 11:44 amPerhaps the time has come for Rome to dissolve the Jesuits a second time, and then turn their property over to faithful religious communities.
Comment by hieromonk Gregory — 27 February 2008 @ 11:46 amThis s a bit off the topic, but does anyone know whether or not the Jesuits have abolished their habit? I once heard Fr. Pacwa say that the Jesuits never wore a habit. then what was it that they were wearing at John Carroll University well into the late 1960’s?
Comment by hieromonk Gregory — 27 February 2008 @ 11:52 amRemember, when Fr. Bisig wanted to prevent the FSSP priests from saying the Novus Ordo, he was immediately deposed by Rome without further ado.
Comment by B. — 27 February 2008 @ 12:08 pmI bet that neither the OMV nor the Jesuit superior will face any consequences.
Which just proves that Rome still does not apply equal standards.
Remember, when Fr. Bisig wanted to prevent the FSSP priests from saying the Novus Ordo, he was immediately deposed by Rome without further ado.
Comment by B. — 27 February 2008 @ 12:10 pmI bet that neither the OMV nor the Jesuit superior will face any consequences.
Which would just prove that Rome still does not apply equal standards.
Article 3 of SP reads, in pertinent part:
Art. 3. Communities or Institutes of consecrated life and of Societies of apostolic life … wishing to celebrate Mass in accordance with the edition of the Roman Missal promulgated in 1962, for conventual or “community” celebration in their oratories, may do so.
This would appear to pertain only to an order’s own oratories or chapels and not to any parishes that they may staff. A parish remains a diocesan structure even if staffed by religious priests.
Comment by Joseph Mansfield — 27 February 2008 @ 12:13 pmIn my experience of having discerned with the OMV’s, at during one driving two hours every other Sunday for Mass and spiritual direction at St Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, and having captured a glimpse of the OMV liturgical life there, it would be a hard sell for me to identify just how the TLM would not fall into the “charism” of worship there. A priest kneels at the foot of the altar after every Mass said there and leads a rosary and divine mercy chaplet (unless there’s like another Mass starting in a half hour).
There’s a great distinction between the American OMV’s and the Italian OMV’s. The Italian OMV’s are way more liberal, and most of the congregation’s higher superiors are from the Italian Oblates. There is a major distinction between the “charisms” of the American and Italian Oblates. It’s unfortunate after the great history of orthodoxy and orthopraxy at Hawaiian Gardens that suddenly the Italian Oblates’ “charism” is being imposed upon St Peter Chanel, where orthodoxy has born so much fruit across a wide spectrum of demographics, between large populations of Filipino, other Asian, Hispanic, and Anglo people there.
To say that the TLM doesn’t fall in line with the “charism” of the OMV’s is bit of a cheap shot to the folks in Hawaiian Gardens. There is such a distinction between the “charisms” of the Italian and American Oblates that there St Peter Chanel parishoners have never seen any precedent for that “charism” of the Italian Oblates now being imposed upon them. It’s as if the Italian Oblates can step in out of nowhere now and tell an otherwise orthodox community what it should be doing, when their “charism” has had little to do historically with how things have always gone in Hawaiian Gardens to begin with.