Some time ago I wrote about the implementation of Summorum Pontificum in the Diocese of Portland, Maine. His Excellency Most Reverend Richard J. Malone, Bishop of Portland, set up a chaplaincy structure and assigned a priest. The group of people whom this chaplaincy would serve would need to follow a budget and support the chaplaincy financially.
I wrote in favor of this development.
Now the details of the budget have been released and some people are angry.
For example, there is a website that is taking a very harsh line toward the Diocese and this structure, particularly the budget.
Here is the item with emphases and comments by WDTPRS.
AQ Report
Latin Mass Community to be charged $72,000 for Mass
By John Grasmeier
Angelqueen.org
April, 2008
Since the release of Summorum Pontificum – Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio removing restrictions on celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass – many local prelates and their diocesan hirelings have gone to great lengths to make life as difficult as possible for Catholics seeking to take advantage of it. From requiring priests to sit for formal Latin language examinations before offering the TLM, to suffering difficult (and even unlawful) permission schemes, traditionalist priests and lay persons have had to suffer all types of dubiously devised obstacles laid out for them by hostile ecclesiastical chains of command. [So far, I agree. I think we have shown how this is playing out fairly well.]
Some who follow such matters may tend to think they’ve heard everything regarding these shenanigans. Others, who know better, realize that when it comes to suppressing of the immemorial rite, never think you’ve heard everything. [Never underestimate the ability of the other side creatively to think up obstacles.]
[This is where this post starts to go off the rails….] In a first (a first not only in anti-TLM hubris, but quite possibly a first in the history of Holy Church) the TLM community in the diocese of Portland Maine billed for their Mass. They are to be charged $72,000 per year, with an initial $18,000 down payment being due on or before July 1st, only a little over 2 1/2 months from the time this is being written.
The 72-grand will go toward the [1] priest’s salary and benefits, [2] office supplies and, astoundingly, [3] rental of the church. Should anyone think this a joke or simply too outrageous to be believed, the following is presented: [It looks like the objection is based mostly on the rental of the church. However, the budget is for more than rental. I wonder what the amount for rental really is.]
[Here is the letter explaining that there will be a budget….]
3 April 2008
Dear Members of the Latin Mass Community:
Christ is Risen & Lives Forever!
As Msgr. Marc Caron, the chancellor of the Diocese, announced to you some weeks past, Bishop Richard Malone has honored me with the newly created position of Chaplain to the Latin Mass Community in south-central Maine effective 1 July 2008. I look forward to serving and working with the faithful who are attached to the extraordinary form of the Roman liturgy. Initially, I will be celebrating Holy Mass in the extraordinary form every Sunday at 8:00 AM at the Basilica of Ss Peter & Paul in Lewiston and at noon at the Cathedral Chapel in Portland. [NB: NOT St. Ipsipisy in Black Duck, or a run down chapel in Tall Tree Circle, but the Cathedral and a Minor Basilica.] Once the Chaplaincy is underway, additional Masses will be scheduled at other locations as the need increases and other priests are available. I also will be available to you for the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, including funerals, as needed. [So far, this sounds pretty good.]
I am happy to announce that the Bishop has accepted a request for a patron for the Latin Mass Chaplaincy. We will now be known as the :
St. Gregory the Great Latin Mass Chaplaincy
As Bishop Malone announced, the Chaplaincy will be funded by those benefiting from this ministry, [That is not unfair… on the contrary! It is just.] and the Chaplaincy will continue only if there is sufficient funding to meet its expenses. [Someone has to pay for this. It should be paid for by those who benefit from it.] The initial annual budget has been prepared, which I have approved and accepted. [So, their priest/father figure is acting in their best interest.] The budget for the first year is $72,000.00 and includes salary, room & board, health insurance and pension, travel expenses, church rental, office expenses, and other ministy (sic) expenses. [These are the basics and they are all necessary.]
Prior to 1 July, and before the Chaplaincy will begin, we are required to raise from contributions one-quarter of our annual budget, or $18,000.00. This initial funding is necessary to ensure that we will be financially independent and able to meet our weekly ongoing expenses as the Chaplaincy begins and grows. We must begin our fun
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