Roman Catholic Blog

Hic Est ...

I know this is the ultimate rehash as:

1.) CWN was reprinting a story from the

2.) "New Liturgical Movement" blog that in turn was translating

3.)An Italian story from Panorama magazine.

Nonetheless, given the chatter on Maximus’ post about Eucharistic prayer IV, I think it interesting that the Pope is considering the words of consecration being said in Latin regardless of which prayer is used.

Barring his restoration of the Roman Canon as the sole Eucharistic prayer

which I know won’t happen, I think this would be GREAT!

Pope weighing changes in Novus Ordo?

Rome – 04JUL08

(CWNews.com)

Pope Benedict XVI is considering changes in the Mass, according to an Italian publication.

The weekly Panorama reports that the Holy Father has asked the Congregation for Divine Worship to study the possibility of changes that would include using Latin in the Eucharistic Prayer and moving the Sign of Peace to the Offertory.

See (http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/2008/07/changes-in-liturgy-of.html)

The New Liturgical Movement web site, which brought the Italian report to the attention of English-speaking readers, cautioned that the Panorama report should be treated with "great caution." The Panorama story itself suggests only that the Pope has asked for a study of the proposals-- not that he is prepared to implement the changes.

According to the Italian weekly, the Pope is weighing the use of Latin for the formula of Consecration at Mass. He may also be leaning toward the use of Latin in other sacraments.

Pope Benedict has often expressed a desire to enrich the post-conciliar liturgy by incorporating some aspects of older liturgical practices. The proposed changes could be seen as part of that process. CWN has not been able to confirm the accuracy of the Panorama report.

Why Not Eucharistic Prayer IV?

For many years, I have wondered why Eucharistic Prayer IV is so rarely used?

It beautifully expresses God's love for us, and His determination throughout history to bring us to salvation. I think it better conveys a sense of salvific history than the other Eucharistic prayers.

Yet, I can't recall ever hearing it used in a Mass (and I'm 44 years old).

I'm interested in our readers' opinion as to why that might be. According to this Zenit FAQ, Eucharistic Prayer IV may be used during Ordinary Time -- but it would be extraordinary if it were, at least in my Diocese. I have wondered if it is considered by too many priests to be overly "patriarchial" due to the frequent appearance of words like "men" and "man."

Thoughts?

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos: Celebrate TLM In Parishes – Even When It Isn’t Requested

Via What Does The Prayer Really Say?: PCED’s Card. Castrillon Hoyos: celebrate TLM in parishes even when it isn’t requested

Quote:

According to Card. Castrillion Hoyos, the Holy Father desires that the TLM be a normal part of parish life. He also says that priests should offer it in their parishes even if there is no specific request for it.

That's a very different message than the one given here: Ex-Papal Liturgist, Archbishop Piero Marini: Liturgical Renewal "Irreversible"

Background quote from Wikipedia:

Darío Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos (born July 4, 1929) is a Colombian Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy from 1996 to 2006, and currently serves as President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. Elevated to the cardinalate in 1998.

Any thoughts?

Ex-Papal Liturgist, Archbishop Piero Marini: Liturgical Renewal "Irreversible"

Christ Healing The Blind Bartimeus by Carl Heinrich Bloch

Here's the link: Vatican official calls liturgical renewal 'irreversible path'

Here's a section of the article:

Liturgical renewal launched by the Second Vatican Council is an "irreversible path" and has not been affected by Pope Benedict XVI's concession on wider use of the Tridentine rite, a Vatican official said.

"The pope's decision has so far not produced any change in the celebrative practice of our ecclesial communities. His gesture was only one of service to unity," Archbishop Piero Marini, who arranged papal liturgies for more than 20 years, said in an interview April 25 in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano.

"Therefore let's look ahead and let's continue with enthusiasm the path undertaken by the council," he said.

Late last year Archbishop Marini was named to head the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.

The archbishop remains involved in international liturgical issues, and he said a revision of the committee's statutes is giving it wider authority over eucharistic congresses at the national and regional level, too.

Asked if Pope Benedict's relaxation of restrictions on the use of the pre-Vatican II liturgy signaled a halt to the liturgical reform movement, Archbishop Marini said that was clearly not the pope's aim.

The pope's decree "does not intend to introduce modifications on the current Roman Missal or express a negative judgment on the liturgical reform desired by the council," he said.

He said the decree, which reached out to disaffected Catholics, should be seen as an effort to maintain unity in the church.

Archbishop Marini said his own experience in organizing papal liturgies in more than 100 countries has convinced him that the liturgical reform movement has brought overwhelmingly positive results.

"Everywhere, the liturgy desired by the council was celebrated with lively participation and enthusiasm. Everyone understood the liturgy as proper to the local church and at the same time as an expression of the universal church," he said.

Those liturgies also demonstrated that liturgical reform has solid theological foundations, he said.

"Therefore this is an irreversible path," he said.

Liturgical celebration cannot be separated from the life of the church, the archbishop said, and this means "the church of today, not the church of yesterday or of tomorrow."

At the same time, Archbishop Marini said celebrating the liturgy according to Vatican II is not an easy thing. It takes patience, perseverance and pastoral charity, he said.

One particular issue that has emerged during papal trips, he said, is the fact that some Masses are now attended by hundreds of thousands of the faithful. That raises practical considerations like the number of concelebrants, the distribution of Communion and the level of personal participation, he said.

Pope Benedict has already asked for reconsideration of the role of concelebrants, and Archbishop Marini said it makes sense to look at the question through a serious study and with eventual pastoral-liturgical guidelines.

My thoughts:

We'll see, Archbishop Marini. I suspect you're wrong, though. I certainly think it's wrong to claim that Summorum Pontificum was only issued in an effort to preserve unity and avoid schism. How does the allowance of a right Archbishop Marini clearly views as old and outdated alongside the Ordo Missae promulgated by Pope Paul VI signify a movement that preserves liturgical unity?

It's clear that the archbishop is not in agreement with Pope Benedict XVI with respect to the liturgy. That is probably why he's known as ex-papal liturgist, Archbishop Piero Marini.

Any thoughts?

"Abortion Rights" Lawmakers Seek To Receive Communion

Then he came to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand." While he was still speaking, Judas came, one of the twelve, and with him a great crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, "The one I shall kiss is the man; seize him." And he came up to Jesus at once and said, "Hail, Master!" And he kissed him. Jesus said to him, "Friend, why are you here?" Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. (Matthew 26:45-50)

"Not every one who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?' And then will I declare to them, `I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.'" (Matthew 7:21-23)

This Associated Press article (which is clearly written from a perspective that is biased in favor of liberal pro-abortion politicians) is worth reading: Abortion-rights lawmakers to receive Communion

Here is a quote from the opening section:

Catholic members of Congress who publicly support the right to abortion will trek to Nationals Park Thursday for a Mass celebrated by a pope who has said such lawmakers should not receive Communion.

Leading these lawmakers, some of whom have repeatedly complained about remarks by Pope Benedict XVI and a few bishops on the subject, will be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the government's highest-ranking Catholic and a supporter of abortion rights. Nowhere in her remarks or her actions this week has she referred to strains with the new pontiff.

Instead, she bent to kiss his ring at the White House Wednesday as Benedict arrived in a blaze of pageantry, and later she spoke glowingly on the House floor about his commitment to truth, justice and freedom. A week before he arrived, the House passed a resolution welcoming him to Washington.

And yes, her spokesman said, she intends to receive Communion from one of the 300 priests and lay ministers who will offer it to the gathered flock of 45,000.

Benedict's stance on abortion and Communion has been painful for elected officials who inhabit the troubled zone where Catholicism and their political beliefs intersect.

Pelosi was one of 48 Catholic lawmakers—some who support and some who oppose abortion rights—who signed a letter in 2004 complaining about statements by "some members of the Catholic hierarchy."

"If Catholic legislators are scorned and held out for ridicule by Church leaders on the basis of a single issue, the Church will lose strong advocates on a wide range of issues that relate to the core of important Catholic social teaching," they wrote. "Moreover, criticism of us on a matter that is essentially one of personal morality will deter other Catholics from entering politics, and in the long run the Church will suffer."

None of the Catholic lawmakers interviewed Wednesday said they hesitated to attend Thursday's celebration of Mass. This event, they said, is about bigger themes and values, such as hope and compassion.

"Pope Benedict's historic visit is an important opportunity for Catholics and for all Americans to reflect on the ways we can contribute to the common good, address global issues of poverty, disease and despair," said Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., whose views in 2004 led several Midwestern bishops to say they would deny the Democratic presidential nominee Communion.

"In a nation and a world facing such extraordinary and daunting challenges, the pope's visit promises hope, inspiration and great wisdom," Kerry said in a statement.

My thoughts:

These pro-abortion "Catholic" politicians are shameless and they don't seem to fear God's judgment. It's both upsetting and embarrassing.

The Holy Father has already expressed Church teaching on this matter in a letter titled, Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion, General Principles:

1. Presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion should be a conscious decision, based on a reasoned judgment regarding one’s worthiness to do so, according to the Church’s objective criteria, asking such questions as: "Am I in full communion with the Catholic Church? Am I guilty of grave sin? Have I incurred a penalty (e.g. excommunication, interdict) that forbids me to receive Holy Communion? Have I prepared myself by fasting for at least an hour?" The practice of indiscriminately presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion, merely as a consequence of being present at Mass, is an abuse that must be corrected (cf. Instruction "Redemptionis Sacramentum," nos. 81, 83).

2. The Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin. The Encyclical Letter Evangelium vitae, with reference to judicial decisions or civil laws that authorize or promote abortion or euthanasia, states that there is a "grave and clear obligation to oppose them by conscientious objection. [...] In the case of an intrinsically unjust law, such as a law permitting abortion or euthanasia, it is therefore never licit to obey it, or to 'take part in a propaganda campaign in favour of such a law or vote for it’" (no. 73). Christians have a "grave obligation of conscience not to cooperate formally in practices which, even if permitted by civil legislation, are contrary to God’s law. Indeed, from the moral standpoint, it is never licit to cooperate formally in evil. [...] This cooperation can never be justified either by invoking respect for the freedom of others or by appealing to the fact that civil law permits it or requires it" (no. 74).

3. Not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion and euthanasia. For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the application of capital punishment or on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. While the Church exhorts civil authorities to seek peace, not war, and to exercise discretion and mercy in imposing punishment on criminals, it may still be permissible to take up arms to repel an aggressor or to have recourse to capital punishment. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war and applying the death penalty, but not however with regard to abortion and euthanasia.

4. Apart from an individual's judgment about his worthiness to present himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion may find himself in the situation where he must refuse to distribute Holy Communion to someone, such as in cases of a declared excommunication, a declared interdict, or an obstinate persistence in manifest grave sin (cf. can. 915).

5. Regarding the grave sin of abortion or euthanasia, when a person’s formal cooperation becomes manifest (understood, in the case of a Catholic politician, as his consistently campaigning and voting for permissive abortion and euthanasia laws), his Pastor should meet with him, instructing him about the Church’s teaching, informing him that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin, and warning him that he will otherwise be denied the Eucharist.

6. When "these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they were not possible," and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, "the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it" (cf. Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration "Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics" [2002], nos. 3-4). This decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of Holy Communion passing judgment on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.

See also:

Doctrinal Note on Some Questions Regarding the Participation of Catholics in Political Life by The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

The Discipline Regarding the Denial of Holy Communion to Those Obstinately Persevering in Manifest Grave Sin by Archbishop Raymond L. Burke, D.D., J.C.D. (Periodica De Re Canonica, 2007)

Denial of the Eucharist to Pro-Abortion Catholic Politicians: A Canonical Case Study by Edward Peters

Any thoughts?

Matt C. Abbott: California Priest In 'State Of Crisis'

Here's the background story: Fresno Priest Still In Exile

Quote:

In 2003, Father Joe Baca, of the Fresno, Calif., diocese — and who, for a time, was permitted to celebrate the Tridentine Mass at St. Agnes Mission Church in Pinedale, Calif. — was removed from public ministry by Bishop John Steinbock.

Father Baca's story, along with that of Father Jean-Michael Lastiri, can be found in this 2004 article from Los Angeles Lay Catholic Mission.

Father Lastiri is still in public ministry. In June 2006, he was named Diocesan Director of Liturgy and Worship and Evangelization. On March 5, 2007, he was named administrator of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in downtown Fresno, and he currently heads the diocese's (newly-renamed) Office of Justice, Liturgy, and Worship.

Meanwhile, Father Baca's situation, like that of Arlington, Va., priest Father James Haley, remains in a sort of limbo.

Here's the update: Help Us, Pope Benedict... California Priest In 'State Of Crisis'

Quote:

Readers might recall my coverage of Father Joe Baca, of the Fresno, Calif., Catholic diocese. Father Baca contacted me in recent days and seemed distraught. I was, and still am, concerned for his well-being.

Thankfully, Father Baca is working with Joe Maher, president of Opus Bono Sacerdotii ("Work for the Good of the Priesthood"), who has issued the following update to Father Baca's unsettling situation:

'I just talked to Father Joe Baca at length. He assured me that he was not suicidal; however, he is utterly exhausted and has lost just about all hope. He received a letter from his bishop via e-mail on Monday which I believe threw him into a state of emotional and physical shock. I cannot say more than this due to the confidential nature of canonical cases. I asked Father Joe to send me a copy of the letter and I may talk to his bishop personally to see what can be done to ease his pain and bring some justice to this situation. I don't want to give anyone false hope because bishops often act at their own discretion regardless of canon law. We shall see.

'All that being said, and based on the thousands of priests' cases we deal with, and one new priest a day on average contacting us for help, Father Joe is in a state of crisis. Now more than ever, he needs the kind of love and support you are giving him here. Very few priests have such a network. When I can give a further update, I will.

'May Our Lady of Priests be Father Joe's, and your, health and protection.'

Please pray for all priests, particularly those who are suffering for the cause of the Faith!

St. Faustina & The Divine Mercy Chaplet

See also:

Saint M. Faustina Kowalska

The Divine Mercy Novena (Begins on Good Friday)

Roman Catholic Blog, 2007: Divine Mercy Sunday: The Feast Of Mercy

The Feast Of Mercy

San Francisco Archbishop George Niederaurer's Double Standards

Via Barbara Kralis:

San Francisco Archbishop George Niederaurer is scheduled to give an address about pornography and its effect on human dignity and sexuality during the annual Charles E. Miller, C.M. Symposium March 11 at St. John's Seminary, Camarillo. (Here's the article: Archbishop to address 'Assaulting Human Dignity' in seminary talk.)

However, Niederaurer has done nothing substantive to clean up the homosexual pornography that is occurring right in his own archdiocese and even in one of his own parishes, Most Holy Redeemer, where last October he gave our Lord Jesus in Holy Communion to two sodomite drag queens dressed up as "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence." MHR has a long history of pro-homosexual activism, including having held bingo games where prizes included porn DVDs and sex toys.

During the West Coast Walk for Life in January, president Anthony Gonzales of the St. Joseph's Men Society asked the archbishop if he would excommunicate the twisted Sisters or at least put an interdict on them. Archbishop Niederaurer gave this non-response: "I'm planning on walking for life." (To watch the video, go to St. Joseph's Men's Society and scroll about 1/3 of the way down the page to "The Refusal of Archbishop Niederauer.")

So, it is truly ironic that Archbishop Niederaurer would give a talk to seminarians on pornography, while at the same time he does nothing to address the pornography in his own diocese.

My thoughts:

The Archdiocese has known about the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for a long time and knew of their involvement at Most Holy Redeemer Parish prior to Niederauer's decision to give the Blessed Sacraments to drag queens. Most Holy Redeemer Parish is known for its homosexual-friendly atmosphere and involvement in homosexual activism.

Here's evidence:

The "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" Lead "Revival Bingo" at Most Holy Redeemer Parish Hall

Background on homosexual-friendly Catholic Parish, Most Holy Redeemer (MHR), in the Castro District of San Francisco, where the San Francisco Sacrilege occurred.

Most Holy Redeemer Parish had a booth at the Folsom Street Fair and has participated in "gay pride" events for many years.

Here's evidence:

Catholic ‘Drag Nun Bingo’ Parish, Most Holy Redeemer, Participates in San Francisco Pride Parade 2007

Life and Death in a “Gay” Parish - The Story of Most Holy Redeemer Church, San Francisco

MHR & How It Got That Way

Holy Redeemer Parish Marches in "Gay Parade"

I must warn you that parts of this linked YouTube video detailing Most Holy Redeemer Parish involvement in a "pride" parade are obscene. (Note: Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, makes an appearance): "Gay Pride" in the Archdiocese of San Francisco

Where Is Archbishop Niederauer?: BBC To Broadcast "Gay" Mass From San Francisco

Scandalous San Francisco 'Gay Pride' Pastor and Chancellor Back in Saddle after "Leave"

Archbishop Niederauer is a progressive, "gay-friendly", Catholic bishop. Here's evidence:

Scandal & Sacrilege In San Francisco [Warning: Graphic]

New San Francisco Archbishop Thinks Gay Propaganda Film Brokeback Mountain is "Very Powerful"

"San Fran. Archbishop "very happy" about plan regarding homosexual adoptions"

"San Francisco Archbishop Niederauer Says He Doesn't Know Nancy Pelosi Stand on Abortion"

Homosexual Activists Cheer Appointment of New San Francisco Archbishop

Current San Francisco Archbishop Niederauer Defended Molesting Priest

Any thoughts?

Fr. Z: Oblates Of The Virgin Mary Superiors Come Out Against Pope Benedict XVI & Summorum Pontificum

St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church

12001 East 214 Street Hawaiian Gardens, CA 90716

Voice: 1 (562) 924-7591 Fax: 1 (562) 402-9411

St. Peter Chanel Catholic Church in Hawaiian Gardens, California has rescinded their support for the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, in what can reasonably seen as defiance of Summorum Pontificum.

Here's the story: OMV and SJ superiors line up against Pope Benedict and Summorum Pontificum.

Quote:

At Saint Peter Chanel in Hawaiian Gardens, CA, USA, there was a older form low Mass for a few months. One day as Mass was ending the pastor announced that the head of his order had told OMV priests to stop saying the older form of Mass because providing the TLM was an "apostolate" that the OMV does not embrace. He also said that the 170 person average Sunday attendance was insufficient to justify the Mass there. Some parishioners expressed their dismay, but the pastor was adamant.

I wrote about this back on 13 February.

Some parishioners began writing to the superiors of the OMVs.

Here is an example of a response:

Dear Ms. _, I want to thank you for your email and the concerns you shared regarding the Tridentine Mass at St. Peter Chanel. I can understand how the news you have heard regarding the celebration of the extraordinary form is difficult. I appreciate the opportunity to clarify what has happened and to reaffirm our uncompromised fidelity to the Holy Father and the Magisterium of the Church.

The decision to no longer offer the extraordinary form was made by our Major Superior in Rome in consultation with his Council. He arrived at this decision after careful study of the Motu Proprio in light of our charism and the needs for the people we serve. Each Religious Community and Institute of Consecrated Life, under the direction of its Major Superior has the freedom to determine which apostolic works they wish to undertake according to their charism and spirit. This freedom is described in Article 3 of the "Motu Proprio" and is given to the Major Superior by the Holy Father.

The decision of our Major Superior for our religious community does not mean we not recognize the beauty and the validity of this extraordinary form permitted by our Holy Father, or the real need it provides for some of the Catholic faithful. It means simply this is not an apostolic work that our Major Superior wants us to undertake as a Congregation.

As stated in Article 7, the bishop has the responsibility to provide this form to the Catholic Faithful in his diocese to meet their spiritual needs. We have encouraged those who feel called to worship in the extraordinary form to pursue the options available by the diocese. For example, this extraordinary form continues to be offered in the diocese, and we have encouraged the faithful to attend this Mass if they are feel called to this particular form of worship.

We are grateful to God for the opportunity to offer the beauty of the liturgy to thousands each week. Like the extraordinary form, these liturgies are reverent, prayerful and spiritually nourishing. There have been and continue to be great miracles that take place at St. Peter Chanel parish. Whether it is the approximate 800 people who attend the four daily Masses, the 8,000 people who attend the 12 Sunday Masses or the many hours of confessions on a daily basis, God is working in and through Oblate priests and the parishioners in a powerful way. Our commitment to this spiritual work of mercy, along with the many good works at St. Peter Chanel we pray will only continue.

I thank you again for taking the time to write me. I hope I have helped to clarify your concerns.

With my prayers and warmest regards in Christ,

Fr. Bill Brown, OMV
Provincial
Oblates of the Virgin Mary

Fr. Z correctly concludes:

In a nutshell, must we conclude that the OMV’s have determined that they are somehow separate from the rest of the Church in regard to use of the fullness of the Roman Rite? That’s is what it looks like. They don’t have the "charism", a slippery term, to provide for the spiritual needs of people through the TLM. They have an apostolate that excludes such people.

Okay. That’s their choice. Too bad.

Apparently the parishioners are still writing and working to resolve this situation and the Provincial has been communicating with the Rector Major, Fr Patrice Veraquin, OMV.

I'm at a loss. What could these priests and superiors be thinking? The Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite is not only a treasure of the Church, it is also a right of the faithful. If the Oblates are claiming their charism is not to serve all Catholic parishioners in their parishes, then it would follow that they are essentially claiming that serving in parishes isn't their charism.

Any thoughts?

Scandal & Sacrilege In San Francisco [Warning: Graphic]

Note: To prevent the server from slowing down, the video is now linked instead of imbedded.  You have very likely not seen much of this footage, some of which is graphic in nature, before (though it does include some familiar footage).

You can see the video here: Scandal

Description:

This video is a documentary sent to Rome giving a full photographic montage of the level of depravity to which the Archdiocese of San Francisco has fallen within the last 30 years and especially during the governance of Archbishop George Niederauer. This video was produced for the Roman Authorities to see with their own eyes what is happening within San Francisco because of the lack of Roman Catholic Leadership.

See also:

God Save San Francisco

More On Bill O'Reilly, The San Francisco Sacrilege & Archbishop George Niederauer

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

Video: Catholic Archbishop George Niederauer Gives Communion to Blasphemous "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence"

The "Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence" Lead "Revival Bingo"

Any thoughts?