Eminent Sense and sensibility

Well, as you are no doubt aware all the Latin Rite Bishops of the world have by now sent off their Summorum Pontificum Reports to Rome (along with a great many regional reports by laypeople) as required by the Holy Father. 

It cannot have escaped the attention of the authorities to whom these documents have been sent that these reports are from the same people who systemically failed to implement the Ecclesia Dei Decree of John Paul II, with some noteable exceptions.  Yet despite it's failure at one level, the decree did make it clear that to desire the Classical Roman Rite was a "rightful aspiration"  The use of the term "rightful" was a significant turning point for those who had fought so hard for this rite.  The erection of religious institutes devoted to the use the "liturgical books of 1962" gave traditional catholics the opportunity to prove what they had for so long proclaimed; that young people where not only attracted to the traditional liturgy but that they where also attracted to the challenges of the traditional religious life both male and female.

The release of Summorum Pontificum took the rightful aspiration even further.  It recognised the attempt to suppress the Usus Antiquior as an injustice, by affirming that the rite hand never been legally forbidden whilst proclaiming it "rightful" to desire the traditional liturgy, which must be perceived "as a treasure for the whole church".  In other words you would have to question the thinking of any priest who would deny that the "extraordinary form" or "Usus Antiquior" was anything but a treasure of the church.  Puting aside the reality that few clergy perceive, let alone think about the "Usus Antiquior" in these terms, they are nevertheless aware that whilst they may not have met any "traditional catholics" lattely they very well might in the near future.  They are also vaguely aware that these people are on the increase and that their attitude is supposed to be a welcoming one, despite their best instincts. Of course the fact is that no authority is required beyond that required for the celebration of the new rite.  Neither Bishop nor Prior nor Parish Priest need approve, nor necessarily be informed other than for the reason of common courtesy.

So where to from here? What will come in response to the reports? Let us take a Sybilic glance into the future.

 Summorum Pontificum asks for nothing less than equity, and it accords at least a status of legal parity to the Usus Antiquior.

Could this sense of equality be taken to one place that will ensure the survival of the Classical Roman Rite and even ensure its restoration to the altars of our own diocese?

The answer in short is yes.

How eminently sensible it would be to cause every (latin rite) seminary in the world to instruct it's seminarists in how to celebrate both rites.  How wonderful if our seminaries where caused to add to their curriculae instruction in who to celebrate the Usus Antiquior.  This would of course have to be done in conjunction with enforcement of the requirement that all Latin Rite seminarians be taught latin.

Missa Cantata - Wallsend, Newcastle NSW AUSTRALIA

SUNG MASS CELEBRATED AT THE CHURCH OF ST PATRICK, WALLS END - a simple and dignified celebration of Holy Mass preceeded by the Asperges.

A little break but the injustice just never stops

I have had a little break from blogging to recharge the batteries.

So much seems to be happening around the world but so little here.  Indeed, as with so many country dioceses, the drawbridge remains firmly and permanently up.

A certain dispair, at least regarding the situation in the Wollongong Diocese has set in, this was primarily due to the annual cycle of diocesan spending on useless, fruitless and pointless projects.  It doesn't get easier to take as the years go on - less people in the pews, less religious, critical shortage of priests, what's the solution throw a couple of hundred thousand at the same kind of programme that we have been pursuing for the last 40 odd years, no matter that nothing really substantial ever results.

Let us spend the capital of the past and throw caution to the wind...it never occurs to the authorities to be self reflective, perhaps these things have not really worked - could we, should we go back, NO! Never! that would be regression.  What you call regression was once known as humility, when you look for something you have lost, most people retrace their steps.  Who will be accountable for these failures for this expense - not our good bishop surelly?

Yet since the release of Summorum Pontificum a group of more than 60 people in the Macarthur (western) region of the diocese attempted to organise the celebration of the Classical Latin rite (Usus antiquior).

The Macarthur Community had a priest lined up servers sacred vessels and vestments all they needed was a key with access to a Church.  Their request to use the Parish Church at Picton/Tahmoor was refused by the Parish Priest the Rev. Fr. John Ho*.

Not surprisingly these people now largely travel an hour on Sundays to attend the Extraordinary form of the Mass (UA) outside the Diocese (mosty in the Parramatta and Sydney Dioceses).  They have given up on this diocese for now, at least until the next bishop. Does anyone really care?  What ever your view it remains a grave injustice.

One often hears it said "But there is already a Mass in diocese celebrated every second Sunday at 3pm in the afternoon why can't they attend that?"  -

• How many people do you know, that go to Mass at 3pm in the afternoon on Sundays?
• How many Catholic Priests do you know who regularly attend and assist inappropriately at noncatholic liturgies  - and are surprised that Catholic families will not attend their's or have doubts about their doctrinal orthodoxy.
• How many communities do you know where a cup of tea or (fellowship) is forbidden for fear that people might begin to organise or associate with each other.
• How many catholics do you know who are forced to attend a rite they do not like every second week. (It would not be so bad if it went both ways).
• Charity does not permit all the aspects of this situation to be raised here.

This is just the tip of the Iceberg in terms of the issues and the complexities surrounding this matter, suffice it to say that travelling out of the diocese on sundays ensures both a higher level orthodoxy and orthopraxis.

Summorum Pontificum was meant to remedy this situation;

• For pities sake let them have the Mass in their region -
• Let the doors of the Church of St Anthony in Picton, be opened to them.

If Fr Ho will not them, then let Bishop Ingham  intervene and do what is required. Is there really no room at the Inn?  No was never an option here - must the matter go to Rome?

___________________________

*Reverend Fr John Ho, Parish Priest of St Anthony's Parish, TAHMOOR has 3 Churches Mass times follow;( No question of a shortage of Churches or time slots so Fr Ho what is the problem?)

TAHMOOR
Sat Vigil 6.00pm
Sun 7.30am, 9.30am


MENAGLE
St Patrick's Church
(119 Menangle Road, Menangle)
Sun 6.00pm


PICTON
Sheil Memorial Church
(Menangle Street, Picton)
6.00pm


WEEKDAY MASSES

Tuesday: 7pm (Tahmoor)
Wednesday: 8am (Tahmoor)
Thursday: 8am (Tahmoor)
Friday: 9.30am (Picton)