San Francisco Archbishop, George Niederauer, Speaks On Political Participation, Issues Problematic Norms On Summorum Pontificum

Here's the story: San Francisco Archbishop speaks on Political Participation

You can read the full document here: Religion and Politics 2008

Here's a quote:

Using the "high level of political consciousness and energy" in the Archdiocese of San Francisco as a kind of backdrop, Archbishop George H. Niederauer issued a pastoral letter on the role of the church in the political arena.

Titled "Religion and Politics 2008," the document addresses a series of issues including the role and meaning of conscience, the place of abortion and euthanasia in church political involvement and the process of discerning how to vote in situations where candidates clearly hold positions directly opposed to church teaching.

The archbishop said he wanted to released the commentary now "before candidates have been nominated and party platforms completed so that we can look at these questions for their own value, and not misinterpret them as veiled endorsements or condemnations."

My thoughts:

The archbishop is apparently unconcerned about possible allegations that he appears to be working to improve his seriously damaged public image and rehabilitate his reputation for heterodoxy.

Whatever may be said of this recent document, Archbishop Niederauer's publicly expressed, personal views on pro-abortion Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, have been problematic. His views on homosexuality and homosexual adoption have also given faithful Catholics reason for grave concern.

See: The Most Reverend George Niederauer, the Archbishop of San Francisco On Nancy Pelosi, on homosexual adoption, and homosexual priests

More on Archbishop Niederauer:

KCBS Cover Story: Keeping the Faith – Catholics Exposing Corruption In The Church

Bill O'Reilly Didn't Do His Homework When Reporting On The San Francisco Sacrilege

Summorum Pontificum

Fr. Z provides analysis of Niederauer's problematic norms on Summorum Pontificum here: Archd. of San Francisco’s norms on Summorum Pontificum

Quote:

The Archbishop of San Francisco reissued the norms Bp. Donald W. Trautman imposed on the Diocese of Erie.

However, when it comes to section 5.6, which concerns the size of the so-called "stable group"... can you believe these folks are still clinging to that bad translation? ... there is a variation. Bp. Trautman thinks (incorrectly) that the "stable group" must consist of at least 25 people. In the norms for San Francisco, Archbishop Niederauer thinks the group must be "at least 30 persons who, in the same location and in an ongoing manner…". Etc.

I believe this to be contrary to the provisions of Summorum Pontificum. I am confident this will be clarified and that the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei will say that no bishop can impose such a number, which is not determined in the Motu Proprio. I suspect that, even now, were a group of people objected to this unreasonable restriction, they would receive a good hearing in Rome.

At the same time it is reasonable to suppose that a parish-wide initiative cannot be easily undertaken for a very small group… or can it?

There are all sorts of parish initiatives made for groups than smaller than 30 people.

I think we all know what this is really about.
There are other problems with the norms for San Francisco. But since they are essentially the same as Bp. Trautman’s, you can just look at them in that other entry.

In effect, the norms issued for San Francisco represent a restriction of the rights of priests and lay people to enjoy the provisions of the Holy Father’s derestriction of the older form of Mass.

I wouldn’t worry too much about this, however. I think they will have to be swept away fairly soon.

Any thoughts?

Comments

[Jimbo]

Why do I suspect that if there were 31 people wanting the LM, then the number considered a "stable group" would have been set at 35 or 40?

Everything whacky is okay on church grounds up there in San Francisco except for the Latin Mass. It sure says something about priorities.

[A. J. West]

Every time the Traditional Mass is celebrated in the diocese that resist it, I will bet you dollars to donuts that the bishop of that dioceses is in his residence writhing on the floor with foam flicking from his slavering lips. Resistance to the TLM is a sign of the demonic. This truth will become more and more evident as time goes on.
A J West
www.ajwest.com