D. Arlington @arlingtonchurch – Devastated faithful petitioning @BishopBurbidge to ease restrictions he imposed on Catholics who want the Tradition Roman Rite

Take note… I saw this at CNA:

‘Devastated’ Traditional Latin Mass devotees petition Arlington bishop to ease restrictions

Supporters of the Traditional Latin Mass are petitioning Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, to lift restrictions he recently imposed on the celebration of the sacraments in the Extraordinary Form.

“In the spirit of the Synodal Path that the church has embarked upon, we humbly ask that you engage in consultations with the faithful of each parish church potentially affected by restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass,” says the petition, which was published on the petition website Change.org on Jan. 14.

“And we pray fervently that you might offer permission to allow the Extraordinary Form and other traditional sacraments to continue across the Diocese of Arlington.”

The petition had garnered more than 1,000 signatures by 6 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

[…]

In early January, Burbidge issued a statement concerning the celebration of the Mass in the Extraordinary Form in the diocese. While Burbidge did not restrict any of the existing Latin Masses in the diocese, he said there is to be no “scheduling of new celebrations of the Sacraments (such as baptisms and weddings) in the Extraordinary Form.”

[…]

The petition adds that the laity have been “devastated” at the new restrictions, and that there is a “profound sense of loss and grief at the prospect of losing the ability to celebrate the Mass and other sacraments in the Old Rite.”

“At a time when there is so much darkness and despair in the world and in our country, we find the Extraordinary Form of the Mass to be a beacon of light and hope — one which touches our hearts and nourishes our Catholic Faith,” says the petition.

[…]

Some take-aways from this.

First, consider the harshness of saying, “No more weddings, funerals!” to people who have returned to the Church because of the TLM, who have grown up with the TLM as their primary experience of Mass, who are simply strongly attracted to it for whatever reason. Think of a large traditional family – which is almost repetitive! – in which all the older children were able to be married with older Ritual and Nuptial Mass and then along come the younger siblings and the bishop says to them, “Sorry, you can’t have what your family grew up with. Too bad. It’s for your own good and you are not being marginalized.” Think of the wishes of a dying man or woman and family, who want the consolation of a traditional Requiem Mass. The bishop says, “Nope, too bad. You chose to die at the wrong time so, NO. Have a great day!” It is so cruel. And now think about how at the next parish over, the funeral mass looks like a clown car with balloons crashed a canonization ceremony. But a traditional Requiem? Forfend!

Second, if your bishop has imposed overly restrictive policies – or bullied his priests – do not roll over and die. Pray for him. Do penances in reparation for his action. Petition him respectfully, as is due to his office, and intensely. Support your priests who are under fire.

Third, let’s be clear about something.   The restrictions being imposed under the shadowy Francis’ legacy document Traditionis custodes and the Dubious Dubia are really NOT restrictions on “the traditional Roman Rite”.  The restrictions are on the people who want the Vetus Ordo.  This is a move against people.

Lastly, be a true Custos Traditionis, an authentic “guardian of Tradition” rather than what some of the bishops have become, “jailers of tradition”.  Read more about that HERE   

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

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

  1. Pingback: D. Arlington @arlingtonchurch – Devastated faithful petitioning @BishopBurbidge to ease restrictions he imposed on Catholics who want the Tradition Roman Rite – Via Nova Media

  2. abasham says:

    I’m from the diocese and signed the petition. But i really feel for Bishop Burbidge, who has decidedly never been a “jerk” to us. TLMs have flourished; he has confirmed children in the old rite. He seems well-liked and the diocese is governed well.

    I don’t know what sort of mental calculus a bishop makes when you get a directive from Rome – I wish they’d all eother ignore it or be ooenly defiant, but… I don’t know, he’s still young-ish for a bishop, and certainly has to live with his decisions for some time.

    It’s easy to wish they were all defiant, but who knows what I would do in his shoes.

  3. msc says:

    And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

    No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

    He that is greedy of gain troubleth his own house; but he that hateth gifts shall live.

    He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

    For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.

  4. WVC says:

    The word being used to defend the restrictions is “fidelity.” As in, we must show fidelity or we have always been a diocese known for its fidelity.

    Fidelity is a word like Hope and Change that, without the proper context, is completely meaningless.

    Fidelity to what? To the self-contradictory and spiteful whims of the current pope, or to the clear and coherent and charitable teaching of his two predecessors? To the “Spirit of Vatican II” or to the actual words of the Council’s decree on liturgy? To the political cabal that is currently running Rome or to the souls in one’s own diocese and the Communion of Saints?

    The time for sitting on the fence is over. There is no “middle ground.” I suspect some bishops think partial implementation is the “safe play” – as in I’ll let the Latin Mass continue but forbid the other sacraments or some such variation. It’s not safe, at least not with regard to how one will have to answer to the ultimate Judge at the End of Time, but it also INCREASES the incoherence of this entire debacle. It’s like Pro-Life people fighting to make abortions more safe – playing the middle game on questions of faith and morals and liturgy and truth eventually leads to untenable and contradictory positions.

    But we pray for our bishop. Every morning and every night. God have mercy on him.

  5. WVC says:

    The word being used to defend the restrictions is “fidelity.” As in, we must show fidelity or we have always been a diocese known for its fidelity.

    Fidelity is a word like Hope and Change that, without the proper context, is completely meaningless.

    Fidelity to what? To the self-contradictory and spiteful whims of the current pope, or to the clear and coherent and charitable teaching of his two predecessors? To the “Spirit of Vatican II” or to the actual words of the Council’s decree on liturgy? To the political cabal that is currently running Rome or to the souls in one’s own diocese and the Communion of Saints?

    The time for sitting on the fence is over. There is no “middle ground.” I suspect some bishops think partial implementation is the “safe play” – as in I’ll let the Latin Mass continue but forbid the other sacraments or some such variation. It’s not safe, at least not with regard to how one will have to answer to the ultimate Judge at the End of Time, but it also INCREASES the incoherence of this entire debacle. It’s like Pro-Life people fighting to make abortions more safe – playing the middle game on questions of faith and morals and liturgy and truth eventually leads to untenable and contradictory positions.

    But we pray for our bishop. Every morning and every night. God have mercy on him.

  6. Liz says:

    I don’t understand this at all. Two of my grandchildren have been baptized in the old rite in this diocese. What will happen to my future grandchildren? God have mercy on us.

  7. Bryan Baldwin says:

    “That is not how we do things in Arlington. Our diocese is filled with faithful, holy priests who say reverent Novus Ordo Masses and offer solid catechesis in their homilies.”

    I agree this is true for most parishes, but offer as a counterexample the liturgical dance and guitars at the Easter vigil at St. John Neumann and other historical pockets of weirdness around the diocese (Nativity, OLGC, etc.)

    (Admittedly, there is evidence of great improvement in heretofore heterodox parishes — St. Mary of Sorrows and St. Anthony among them.)

  8. rdowhower says:

    I am happy to be corrected, but I believe the same restrictions have been implemented here in Minneapolis/Saint Paul. Not sure what All Saints is doing, but our pastor at St. Agnes informed us that while at this time there were no changes to the TLM being said at the parish, the archbishop had instructed him that no other sacraments would be allowed using the Old Rite. Fortunately, we just had our daughter baptized in November at St. Agnes and two of our older daughters confirmed by the archbishop in the Old Rite at the Cathedral in December. I would hate to think that these were some of the last sacraments celebrated here using the ancient forms. Supposedly there was a meeting with the archbishop on Epiphany about all of this but our pastor has not said anything more about the restrictions, although he did say ominously that nothing he said thus far should be “taken to the bank”.

  9. Marie Veronica says:

    I signed as a resident of the diocese. Let us redouble our efforts to pray and fast for our bishop. He is visibly and actively committed to all Catholics under his pastoral care. The TLM has flourished organically these past two decades, beginning with his predecessor. He has done countless good things: new churches built with architecture that emphasizes the sacred, outreach to the poor, disabled, and immigrant communities, unambiguously teaching on the sanctity of human life and marriage, supporting Catholic education and parents who are struggling to raise children in this spiritually sick age. This is a vibrant diocese. We have a large number of vocations. There is no shortage of opportunities to pray and visit the sacraments (confession, eucharistic adoration, rosary groups, Bible studies, prayer groups, retreats).What encourages me: I have met devout and committed Catholics in many settings: NO, TLM, Eastern rite. Prayers for our Bishop and for one another.

  10. Mike says:

    Just a quick story. In the diocese of Arlington, in 1987, my wife and I moved as a young couple. Our parish was Our Lady of Good Counsel. My wife came into the Church in ’88. The week before her first confession, she came home from catechesis
    in tears. The nun who instructed her wanted to hear her “practice” confession, and then wanted to “steer” her to a priest for her confession. In the event, it all turned out well. There was no “practice” confession, etc.

    This parish is a hideous modern architecturally scandal, btw. We left when we moved to Maryland, our faith a little shaky.

    35 years later, we’re going to St. John the Beloved’s TLM at noon every once and a while, afterwards, hitting an inexpensive but good restaurant for late lunch with homemade hummus and a glass of wine. My wife likes the TLM a great deal; it has nourished our faith and the faith of our children.

    Please, Bishop Burbidge: don’t take away this treasure! Think of your flock! and the Lord!

  11. MarianneF says:

    I am also in the diocese of Arlington and want to emphasize what amazing priests we have here. The parishes that are trending more traditional are growing every year. We all know which ones those are. My home parish of St. Agnes has a wonderful pastor and a new, young holy o riest who says a MC once a month. St. John the Beloved’s noon MC is deeply beautiful. There are many other priests who want to learn and propagate the TLM. From what I hear, theBishop is amenable and listening to our more seasoned, traditional priests. We have to let the Bishop know how the traditional rites have affected us and then give it to Jesus. We are blessed here.

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