6 hours ago
Thursday, 21 October 2010
Prayer Intentions
Of your charity please pray for the Synod of Eastern Rite Catholics and those Anglicans who embark on the path to Rome through the Ordinariat it must be a difficult and heart renching time.
Sunday, 26 September 2010
Models of Church and the Church of Christ
With the recent state visit by the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, what media had threatened would be a great roar from secularists, atheists and forces generally opposed to the Catholic Church turned out to be a squeak. The anti-catholic BBC and media in general, got it seriously wrong - and support for the Pope was overwhelming.
The British Hierarchy notorious for it kowtowing to the extreme liberal agenda of the Tablet, was a given clear and emphatic lead as to the direction the church should be taking in the U.K. It is time that the Tablet was either shut down or reconstituted and brought into line with the teachings and thought of Catholic Church - and prised out of the hands of the liberal elite.
But the Tablet is a respectable journal I hear you say! It, like so many other things that where once good, is living on the capital of it's past. During the 1980s the Tablet increasingly became the darling of Roman Catholic liberal elite, it's position became firmer in this role in the 1990s. It's current incarnation sees it occupy not only the position of the leading voice of catholic liberal (heterodox) thought in Britain but arguably in the English speaking world.
The Tablet and the liberal elite in general seem to be having great difficulty coming to terms with the fact that their time is at an end. The projects, experiments and changes for which they fought and on which they laboured for half a century have been a colossal failure - one which they refuse to recognise or own, prefering to justify all with the mantra of possessing "a different models of church" to you.
Sadly the end game is at play and we are fast approaching a sink or swim situation. Ageing liberals often local curial officials with the diocesan ordinary under their spell, continue to squander diocesan funds on projects which have already failed elsewhere. The saddest if not ironic thing of all is their complete failure to read the signs of the times, which have now clearly turned against them both in secular and religious terms.
The term "different models of church" is code for what is inexplicable... Whilst hailing the most abohorent liturgical practices and robbing the liturgy of it's sacral character, if confronted or challenged the all encompassing response was "it's obvious that you have different model of church" - meaning that you are:
1. Ignorant of their model of church and therefore out of touch.
2. Not going in the same direction as the church.
3. Entitled to your view - but keep it to youself.
4. An obstruction - just go away and let us get on with it
5. an individual with a vision of church different to ours - so lets just agree to differ.
The failure of Religious life - Ageing religious in institutions which have embraced the liberal agenda have utterly failed to attract vocations. Their religious observance and dress, when compared with those in late 1960s is unrecognisable. "A different model of church" gives a vision of hope, to those who might otherwise have despaired at least on a human level, that this is all part of the divine plan - and that their order has run the course of it's natural life, but that's it's contribution will never be forgotten - and indeed in these latter days of the order it is their mission to make sure that no one does. But seriously how can a house that in 1964 boasted 140 religious and is now closed, not have requested or desired some internal review or honest self appraisal, things essential to good management let alone common sense.
As regards the priesthood - the story is similar. Candidates suspected of being "conservative" or orthodox are treated with suspicion even turned a way for spurious reasons (and by reason of lack of transparency can never be questioned), whilst others who are clearly unsuitable are favoured because their lack of conservatism/orthodoxy makes them desirable. Needless to say few candidates if any are sustained. An immediate solution recently come upon by failing dioceses who refuse to give up the liberal agenda is to import seminarians from poorer countries, educate them badly, and after a few years of service, send them back to where they came from, in the hope that their liberal formation will prosper else where. The funds, particularly the capital of the past, has however almost dried up - conveniently ways are being found to introduce the laity to a "different models of church" emphasising the role of the laity in every aspect of parish life to an extent where a priest is supernumerary in everything but the administration of the sacraments.
Again, it is an ageing congregation mostly, who are expected to answer the call, this because of the complete failure of the liberal agenda to inspire, challenge or even capture the imagination of youth with the the truths of the Catholic religion, but rather prefering watering it down where ever possible, removing from it it's supernatural and transcendant truths in favour of a social gospel.
Like the chosen people who would not recognise the Messiah in Christs coming, so too have these liberals hardened their hearts against Christ in his church. This blindness seems almost incurable, and it is perhaps understandable, when to many despair is the only other option. I am minded of the dwarves in the "Last Battle" of C.S. Lewis, who refused to see the truth, goodness and beauty placed before them.
Ever mindful of the guarantees which Christ gave to his Church, an important fact which itself undermines all "different models of church" is the action of Christ himself in his Church re-iterating his own model. The Tablet and the liberal elite are well aware that the phoenix of Traditional Catholicism is rising... and rapidly. Logic dictates their position must be one (we can but judge their actions) of obstruction where ever possible.
This however will fail as it must. The Church "soul by soul and silently" by the power Christ drawing all to him, cannot fail. Even as we speak the new renaissance is underway - even against the odds, can we doubt that this is of divine origin.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
Footnote: WHAT TO LOOK FOR NEXT;
1. Clarifications regarding aspects of Summorum Pontificum - is due very soon. I am informed by a reliable source that these will be quite extensive and put many current injustices to rest.
2. The commencement of the Ordinariate: for Anglicans coming into communion with Rome - I have on a reliable source that it will be up and running by Pentecost next year.
The British Hierarchy notorious for it kowtowing to the extreme liberal agenda of the Tablet, was a given clear and emphatic lead as to the direction the church should be taking in the U.K. It is time that the Tablet was either shut down or reconstituted and brought into line with the teachings and thought of Catholic Church - and prised out of the hands of the liberal elite.
But the Tablet is a respectable journal I hear you say! It, like so many other things that where once good, is living on the capital of it's past. During the 1980s the Tablet increasingly became the darling of Roman Catholic liberal elite, it's position became firmer in this role in the 1990s. It's current incarnation sees it occupy not only the position of the leading voice of catholic liberal (heterodox) thought in Britain but arguably in the English speaking world.
The Tablet and the liberal elite in general seem to be having great difficulty coming to terms with the fact that their time is at an end. The projects, experiments and changes for which they fought and on which they laboured for half a century have been a colossal failure - one which they refuse to recognise or own, prefering to justify all with the mantra of possessing "a different models of church" to you.
Sadly the end game is at play and we are fast approaching a sink or swim situation. Ageing liberals often local curial officials with the diocesan ordinary under their spell, continue to squander diocesan funds on projects which have already failed elsewhere. The saddest if not ironic thing of all is their complete failure to read the signs of the times, which have now clearly turned against them both in secular and religious terms.
The term "different models of church" is code for what is inexplicable... Whilst hailing the most abohorent liturgical practices and robbing the liturgy of it's sacral character, if confronted or challenged the all encompassing response was "it's obvious that you have different model of church" - meaning that you are:
1. Ignorant of their model of church and therefore out of touch.
2. Not going in the same direction as the church.
3. Entitled to your view - but keep it to youself.
4. An obstruction - just go away and let us get on with it
5. an individual with a vision of church different to ours - so lets just agree to differ.
The failure of Religious life - Ageing religious in institutions which have embraced the liberal agenda have utterly failed to attract vocations. Their religious observance and dress, when compared with those in late 1960s is unrecognisable. "A different model of church" gives a vision of hope, to those who might otherwise have despaired at least on a human level, that this is all part of the divine plan - and that their order has run the course of it's natural life, but that's it's contribution will never be forgotten - and indeed in these latter days of the order it is their mission to make sure that no one does. But seriously how can a house that in 1964 boasted 140 religious and is now closed, not have requested or desired some internal review or honest self appraisal, things essential to good management let alone common sense.
As regards the priesthood - the story is similar. Candidates suspected of being "conservative" or orthodox are treated with suspicion even turned a way for spurious reasons (and by reason of lack of transparency can never be questioned), whilst others who are clearly unsuitable are favoured because their lack of conservatism/orthodoxy makes them desirable. Needless to say few candidates if any are sustained. An immediate solution recently come upon by failing dioceses who refuse to give up the liberal agenda is to import seminarians from poorer countries, educate them badly, and after a few years of service, send them back to where they came from, in the hope that their liberal formation will prosper else where. The funds, particularly the capital of the past, has however almost dried up - conveniently ways are being found to introduce the laity to a "different models of church" emphasising the role of the laity in every aspect of parish life to an extent where a priest is supernumerary in everything but the administration of the sacraments.
Again, it is an ageing congregation mostly, who are expected to answer the call, this because of the complete failure of the liberal agenda to inspire, challenge or even capture the imagination of youth with the the truths of the Catholic religion, but rather prefering watering it down where ever possible, removing from it it's supernatural and transcendant truths in favour of a social gospel.
Like the chosen people who would not recognise the Messiah in Christs coming, so too have these liberals hardened their hearts against Christ in his church. This blindness seems almost incurable, and it is perhaps understandable, when to many despair is the only other option. I am minded of the dwarves in the "Last Battle" of C.S. Lewis, who refused to see the truth, goodness and beauty placed before them.
Ever mindful of the guarantees which Christ gave to his Church, an important fact which itself undermines all "different models of church" is the action of Christ himself in his Church re-iterating his own model. The Tablet and the liberal elite are well aware that the phoenix of Traditional Catholicism is rising... and rapidly. Logic dictates their position must be one (we can but judge their actions) of obstruction where ever possible.
This however will fail as it must. The Church "soul by soul and silently" by the power Christ drawing all to him, cannot fail. Even as we speak the new renaissance is underway - even against the odds, can we doubt that this is of divine origin.
Laudetur Jesus Christus!
Footnote: WHAT TO LOOK FOR NEXT;
1. Clarifications regarding aspects of Summorum Pontificum - is due very soon. I am informed by a reliable source that these will be quite extensive and put many current injustices to rest.
2. The commencement of the Ordinariate: for Anglicans coming into communion with Rome - I have on a reliable source that it will be up and running by Pentecost next year.
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
SUMMUM SILENTIUM
I have not blogged in recent weeks prefering rather to observe a self imposed silence at a time when so many voices where raised for and against the Holy Father. His words and actions in England are a sufficient response to his detractors and a consolation to me.
I have followed keenly, events on the blog "theanglocatholic.blogspot.com" - my heart goes out to all those who have been cast out to sea - talk about a "tempest tossed church"! Waiting on the shore to welcome the weiry pilgrims, it is as disheartening as it is anticipated that further fracturing and splintering of this kind continues.
Time for more silent prayer...
I have followed keenly, events on the blog "theanglocatholic.blogspot.com" - my heart goes out to all those who have been cast out to sea - talk about a "tempest tossed church"! Waiting on the shore to welcome the weiry pilgrims, it is as disheartening as it is anticipated that further fracturing and splintering of this kind continues.
Time for more silent prayer...
Friday, 20 August 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
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.
Wednesday, 4 August 2010
A little break but the injustice just never stops
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.
___________________________
*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)
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