My dear brethren,
There has been much talk in recent weeks over the appearance of a motu proprio from the Pope, which would allegedly make the Traditional Mass more widely available. Such rumours have been in circulation now for several years and consequently we tend not to get too excited over them! Nevertheless the French bishops in particular seem to be anxious about such a move on the part of Rome and their observations are quite telling in that they emphasise the necessary connection between the liturgical question and the doctrinal question. It is significant that the modern bishops understand this when there are a number in Traditional circles who fail to appreciate the danger of liturgical concessions regardless of doctrinal implications!
The following extracts are taken from the Society’s official website (www.dici.org):
“ In the guise of the mobilisation for the defence of a liturgical form we are really witnessing a radical criticism of Vatican II, indeed a pure and simple rejection of some of its declarations.” [26/10/06] Mgr Vingt-trois, Archbishop of Paris
“Believing that the liturgy is the expression of the theology of the Church, the bishops fear that the generalisation of the use of the Roman Missal of 1962 will relativise the orientations of Vatican II.” [25/10/06] Communiqué from the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Besançon and the bishops of the Concordat dioceses of Strasbourg and Metz
“One cannot believe that the reason for the break of Archbishop Lefebvre with the Church was caused solely by the liturgy, and therefore that the solution to this rupture would be the re-establishment of the freedom of the Mass of St. Pius V. There are extremely profound and painful reasons for this schism – I use this word with great reluctance – which are theological.” [19/10/06] Mgr. Claude Dagens, Bishop of Angoulême
“Reconciliation cannot be achieved at the price of turning the page on the Council which is part of the dogmatic tradition of the Church. Once more, the restoration of the Tridentine rite would not trouble me. But on condition that questions relative to ecumenism, relations with religions, and liberty of conscience, are dealt with. In short, everything which John Paul II considered fundamental in his first encyclical Christ the Redeemer of Man.” [21/10/06] Mgr. Gérard Defois, Archbishop of Lille
“And now they announce as imminent a pontifical decree which would allow all those who want to go back to before the Council to do so. . . . To give every priest, as they have let it be known, the possibility of doing an about turn, under the pretext of tolerance and charity, is creating anarchy” (in the fleet of ships that make up the Church). [26/10/06] Mgr Jacques Noyer, Bishop Emeritus of Amiens
In spite of the reservations manifested by members of the French hierarchy, it is reassuring to know that there are still some who understand – for better or worse – the age-old adage lex orandi, lex credendi, the law of prayer is the law of belief, and that the present issues are not just liturgical but also and especially doctrinal! On the occasion of the Pope’s visit to Turkey we are reminded of St Paul’s famous words to the faithful of the Roman province of Galatia, situated in central modern-day Turkey, of remaining faithful to true doctrine even if an angel from heaven were to preach otherwise (Galatians I, viii.).
The above reference to the D.I.C.I. website reminds me to express our sincere appreciation to our own volunteer webmaster, Mr Colin Angel, who has expertly maintained sspx.co.uk these past few years investing both his time and energies into this internet apostolate! We are now working to address the delays in updating the website which have occurred in recent months due to time factors, and it is my hope that this newsletter will be again on-line shortly.
At the moment of writing Father Michael Crowdy, now in his ninety-third year, is bed-ridden due to serious illness and I would consequently invite prayers for his intentions and for the grace of final perseverance.
Please note the revisions made to this month’s Mass schedule for Woking and Middlemarsh. Also, and in an attempt to rationalise the Mass schedule given the present number of priests the Mass times at Wimbledon and Woking will change as of the first Sunday of January 2007, with Wimbledon Mass being at 8am and Woking at 5pm.
Lastly may I commend to your prayers the repose of the soul of Father Ronald Silk who died on Sunday 26th November? Requiescat in pace.
Wishing you all a holy Advent in preparation for the joys of Christmas,
Father Paul Morgan
Superior
There has been much talk in recent weeks over the appearance of a motu proprio from the Pope, which would allegedly make the Traditional Mass more widely available. Such rumours have been in circulation now for several years and consequently we tend not to get too excited over them! Nevertheless the French bishops in particular seem to be anxious about such a move on the part of Rome and their observations are quite telling in that they emphasise the necessary connection between the liturgical question and the doctrinal question. It is significant that the modern bishops understand this when there are a number in Traditional circles who fail to appreciate the danger of liturgical concessions regardless of doctrinal implications!
The following extracts are taken from the Society’s official website (www.dici.org):
“ In the guise of the mobilisation for the defence of a liturgical form we are really witnessing a radical criticism of Vatican II, indeed a pure and simple rejection of some of its declarations.” [26/10/06] Mgr Vingt-trois, Archbishop of Paris
“Believing that the liturgy is the expression of the theology of the Church, the bishops fear that the generalisation of the use of the Roman Missal of 1962 will relativise the orientations of Vatican II.” [25/10/06] Communiqué from the bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Besançon and the bishops of the Concordat dioceses of Strasbourg and Metz
“One cannot believe that the reason for the break of Archbishop Lefebvre with the Church was caused solely by the liturgy, and therefore that the solution to this rupture would be the re-establishment of the freedom of the Mass of St. Pius V. There are extremely profound and painful reasons for this schism – I use this word with great reluctance – which are theological.” [19/10/06] Mgr. Claude Dagens, Bishop of Angoulême
“Reconciliation cannot be achieved at the price of turning the page on the Council which is part of the dogmatic tradition of the Church. Once more, the restoration of the Tridentine rite would not trouble me. But on condition that questions relative to ecumenism, relations with religions, and liberty of conscience, are dealt with. In short, everything which John Paul II considered fundamental in his first encyclical Christ the Redeemer of Man.” [21/10/06] Mgr. Gérard Defois, Archbishop of Lille
“And now they announce as imminent a pontifical decree which would allow all those who want to go back to before the Council to do so. . . . To give every priest, as they have let it be known, the possibility of doing an about turn, under the pretext of tolerance and charity, is creating anarchy” (in the fleet of ships that make up the Church). [26/10/06] Mgr Jacques Noyer, Bishop Emeritus of Amiens
In spite of the reservations manifested by members of the French hierarchy, it is reassuring to know that there are still some who understand – for better or worse – the age-old adage lex orandi, lex credendi, the law of prayer is the law of belief, and that the present issues are not just liturgical but also and especially doctrinal! On the occasion of the Pope’s visit to Turkey we are reminded of St Paul’s famous words to the faithful of the Roman province of Galatia, situated in central modern-day Turkey, of remaining faithful to true doctrine even if an angel from heaven were to preach otherwise (Galatians I, viii.).
The above reference to the D.I.C.I. website reminds me to express our sincere appreciation to our own volunteer webmaster, Mr Colin Angel, who has expertly maintained sspx.co.uk these past few years investing both his time and energies into this internet apostolate! We are now working to address the delays in updating the website which have occurred in recent months due to time factors, and it is my hope that this newsletter will be again on-line shortly.
At the moment of writing Father Michael Crowdy, now in his ninety-third year, is bed-ridden due to serious illness and I would consequently invite prayers for his intentions and for the grace of final perseverance.
Please note the revisions made to this month’s Mass schedule for Woking and Middlemarsh. Also, and in an attempt to rationalise the Mass schedule given the present number of priests the Mass times at Wimbledon and Woking will change as of the first Sunday of January 2007, with Wimbledon Mass being at 8am and Woking at 5pm.
Lastly may I commend to your prayers the repose of the soul of Father Ronald Silk who died on Sunday 26th November? Requiescat in pace.
Wishing you all a holy Advent in preparation for the joys of Christmas,
Father Paul Morgan
Superior