Posted on 12/28/2004 2:00:22 PM PST by CatherineSiena
At the church founded by the late Rev. Paul Wickens, Mass is always said in Latin. Women still cover their heads, and people receive the host in their mouths from a priest, never touching it with their own hands.
To say that St. Anthony of Padua, the church Wickens started nine years ago, is a haven for traditionalists is an understatement. And with his death this year, the search for just the right successor to the old founder has split the parishioners of this unusual West Orange church.
At a time when they would rather rally around a new priest, hundreds have boycotted the chapel for makeshift Masses at a Ramada Inn in East Hanover and a VFW Post and the Wellesley Inn in Fairfield.
The schism opened soon after the July death of Wickens, whose opposition to the historic 1960s reforms of the Second Vatican Council attracted hundreds of other "traditionalist" Catholics who like him felt the changes sullied ancient Catholic traditions and practices.
Modern Catholics would find some practices at St. Anthony's obscure. But when Wickens died, parishioners wanted a replacement who shared their views. They also wanted the chapel kept separate from the Newark Archdiocese, which accepted the 1960s reforms and suspended Wickens after a 1980s dispute stemming from his opposition to Catholic sex education.
Wickens remained a vocal critic of the archdiocese, calling Archbishop John J. Myers too liberal even though Myers is generally known nationwide as a staunch conservative.
The current boycotters say they have nothing personal against Wickens' replacement, the Rev. John Perricone, a conservative Catholic in his own right who in many ways seems a perfect fit for St. Anthony's.
Perricone, who started at St. Anthony's Dec. 1, is founder of the group "Christifidelis," which is dedicated to the Latin Mass.
Still, many longtime St. Anthony's parishioners reject him because he is an archdiocese priest, officially placed on loan to the chapel by the archdiocese.
At his last archdiocese post, Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Orange, Perricone celebrated Mass in the modern way that traditionalists deplore, in English, facing the pews, and letting lay people touch the host.
"This Perricone, he's on both waters, he offers both Masses -- the Latin Mass and the modern Mass. And we do not accept that," said Elvira Valdez, who joined St. Anthony's in 1998 and has attended motel Masses.
"We only accept the ancient Mass, the old Mass, the Latin Mass. That's why Father Wickens stayed clear cut away from the archdiocese, because they would make him accept the modern Mass as equal to the old Mass."
Valdez and others say they fear that Perricone's hiring will lead to a full-scale takeover by the archdiocese, and that Mass in English may eventually be allowed there.
While reforms stemming from the Second Vatican Council are widely regarded as more inclusive of lay people, the members of St. Anthony's think they watered down the faith, and that translations from Latin are inadequate.
Since Perricone started, some longtime St. Anthony's churchgoers have traveled long distances to attend other traditionalist churches, such as St. Jude's in Eddystone, Pa.
Locally, the latest alternative Masses were at the VFW Post in Fairfield Saturday, for Christmas, and Sunday, drawing about 200.
DUELING SERMONS
A similar crowd attended a motel Mass in Fairfield earlier this month, where people knelt on the green patterned carpet of a kneeler-less conference room and received Communion from the Rev. John Fullerton, flown in for the occasion from Missouri.
Fullerton is with the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, which was founded by French Bishop Marcel Lefebvre, who was excommunicated after refusing to the accept the 1960s reforms.
Attendance at St. Anthony's, meanwhile, has been lighter than before Wickens died, and Perricone's supporters hope he can draw back those who left.
"If the diocese leaves us alone, there'll be no problems here," said Bill Brooks of Pompton Plains. "And the people will hopefully come back. Father Perricone is a good priest."
In his first sermon at St. Anthony's, the Rev. Perricone left no doubt about his beliefs, praising Wickens, whose archdiocese suspension lasted until he died.
"I am privileged," Perricone said, "to be able to bring forward the sacred traditions that Father Wickens has ... preserved."
Yet many who stopped attending St. Anthony's feel the church's three board members, who approached the archdiocese about Perricone, disregarded Wickens' wishes by bringing in an archdiocese priest.
A week ago, a group of them filed suit in Essex County Chancery Court, saying the statute under which the church was incorporated lets all members, not just trustees, pick the priest.
On both sides of the St. Anthony's dispute, parishioners say the church should honor Wickens' wishes. But they relate different versions of what he wanted.
Some, allowing that Wickens praised Perricone, said he also thought Perricone's archdiocese ties tainted him. Others say Wickens wanted the church turned over to the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X.
DISPUTED TAPE
At a church meeting on Nov. 14, St. Anthony's board members -- Andrew Flock, Larry Small and Bob Ciuffreda, elected the day Wickens died in a previously scheduled election -- played a tape of Wickens praising Perricone shortly before his death.
But some who heard the tape at the meeting have complained it had only excerpts of the conversation. In what was played, Wickens did not address Perricone's archdiocese ties, a subject that surely was of interest to him, board critics said.
Asked about that, Al Wickens, the priest's brother, said that Paul Wickens never spoke about the archdiocese or the Society of Saint Pius X on June 24, the day he was taped.
"From that conversation, which was seven or eight minutes ... was a clear indication that if Father Perricone could possibly come, it would be a perfect fit for the chapel," said Al Wickens, who said he was present when the taping occurred.
While the arrangement with the archdiocese strikes many longtime St. Anthony's members as improper, to others it straddles the right side of a thin line. Archdiocese spokesman James Goodness said that while Perricone is considered "on loan" from the archdiocese, St. Anthony's is responsible for his salary, and the archdiocese does not receive a percentage of weekly collections.
Despite last-minute efforts to reconcile, the archdiocese never lifted its suspension of Wickens. It wanted him to sign a letter of obedience to Newark Archbishop Myers, which all pastors do when starting a new assignment, Goodness said. Wickens refused to do so, Goodness said.
Whether they attend a Latin Mass at St. Anthony's or elsewhere, the people drawn to it say they go for reasons other than merely hearing the words in Latin, though that is important.
"It's not just the Mass said in Latin. It's about the traditional faith. It requires the reverence that's there, the respect for the way the sacraments are done," said William Denk, who stopped attending St. Anthony's and now travels elsewhere for Mass.
"Many people have seen family members lose their faith. They've seen the breakdown in our culture and society. Now, when you've had Catholic bishops who have to debate whether a candidate who is pro-choice can remain Catholic, it shows exactly where (society) has gone to now."
Jeff Diamant covers religion. Reach him at jdiamant@starledger.com or (973) 392-1547.
Am praying for all, But maybe this is one reason why this web is on going to wake people up to the truth of what has happened to Our Holy Mother the Catholic Church?
Surely NO need to be led back, And if they are "good"...then God who is the source of all good, will bring them to the right path,if they are willing and searching for the WAY. right? He has never failed to do so. Even sending Mary under many titles, to make all aware of the WAY.
Fr. Wickens hears it all now , and he too will watch over things from above....his flock is just, in their dispute. They knew him, they loved him and they love God.
Well I just learned that Fr. Gonzales is going to be the celebrant for the 10 AM SSPX mass in Fairfield, NJ for the forseable future. I am sure this news will sadden many people at St. Jude's in Eddystone where Fr. Gonzalez has been Pastor for quite some time. Fr. Grun, the German priest, is going to be replacing Fr. Gonzalez temporarily, but it is possible that he might stay on there longer. Even though Fr. Gonzalez is taking over the mass in North Jersey, he will continue to say the mass at the Society chapel in Pittston, PA.
I idn't get that from Traditio. I got that from the ear that got it from Father Murphy's mouth.
The Father Clifford part I knew to be slanderous bc for one I spoke to him at great legnth the night he left, and then the lie of it was confirmed by two other people I know, via Phone conversation.
The religious articles being gone to my knowledge only extended to the Articles on the sale table in the Vestibule, and the collection baskets, which were readily replaced....
I guess my point is, that is backwards, the people that were bringing over the stufff from Traditio, were bringing it over in support of the contingent that left. And i was only pointing out those parts that i personally new to be, true in terms of content.
I dont believe in carrying forth rumour and supposition.....
Yes I like Fr. Grun too. He gave an excellent sermon on Gaudete Sunday, during, advent, at St. Jude's. He talked about the necessity of rejoicing even now in these tumultuous times.
Fr. Gonzalez is also a wonderful Priest and I think he'll enjoy being your pastor and you'll enjoy having him as your priest. He's a very charitible and funny man if you get to know him personally.
Yes, I guess I should go to one of the retreats eventually. The church in Ridgefield that they have is just amazing. I'm pretty sure that Church is the largest Traditional Chapel I have ever seen. The mansion that they have next door is pretty nice too ;-).
While Divine graces is freely and generously imparted, one must WANT it.......one must ASK for it in prayer.
The biggest mistake most folks make spiritually is related to the primordial sin of Pride, from which springs all sin. If I am too proud to consider that I might be "wrong" in what I think, do, or say, then I am headed down the wrong road. A good Catholic must constantly and consciensously examine his conscience - and constantly question himself in light of God's laws, and of right reason.
Very few of us will be "knocked off out horse" like St. Paul was on the road to Damascus. Most of us must try and try endlessly to perfect ourselves, if we are to save our souls.
As many old hymns teach us, the one thing which is the key to salvation is an humble and contrite heart which says: "I am wrong, I am stupid, I am sinful - Lord, please teach me, and show me the way" If one can huble themsleves like that, then the floodgates of heaven are open to us in the form of the graces necessary for our souls.
But first - one must admit that the possibility that one could be wrong, and one must ask for the Divine Assistance. To him who asks, all is given.
Something of what you say Is True, but remember too, God KNOWS all things and ,IF HE see fit He will KNOCK a person off his "horse" like St. Paul or St. Norbert...who was struck by lightening...to make him aware that something MORE spiritual was wanted from him. They answered their call by God's grace.
Besides you are staying from the thread here.
Fr. Wickens, the Traditional Catholic Faith, the struggle!
Latin Masses VICTORY to YOU! Even Mel Gibson beat all odds with his film"The Passion of the Christ" because he had the support of the Old Latin Mass..said by true priests.
Well wishes to ya all Happy New Year!
Something of what you say Is True, but remember too, God KNOWS all things and ,IF HE see fit He will KNOCK a person off his "horse" like St. Paul or St. Norbert...who was struck by lightening...to make him aware that something MORE spiritual was wanted from him. They answered their call by God's grace.
Besides you are staying from the thread here.
Fr. Wickens, the Traditional Catholic Faith, the struggle!
Latin Masses VICTORY to YOU! Even Mel Gibson beat all odds with his film"The Passion of the Christ" because he had the support of the Old Latin Mass..said by true priests.
Well wishes to ya all Happy New Year!
I only wish that I had the priviledge of meetin Fr. Wickens before his demise. I was in the area, but did not know where the chapel was until he was on his deathbed.
and God usually taps folks on hte shoulder gently, or whisperes into their ear softly - with love. Though there are some whom he hits over the head with a frying pan, out of love, to get their attention. But that is rare.
Have a holy nEW yEAR.
Its ok, Go visit his grave, behind the Church he built at St. Anthony's..say a prayer for his soul, Fr. Wickens will help you in anyway from above.
And by all means go to the Mass (WITH FR. MURPHY"S....he got to be close to Fr. Wickens..all Fr.'s flock is with him!)
Again Victory to you True Flock of Fr. Wickens and to you Fr. Murphy !!!! HAIL MARY !!!!!
His grave is off to the side of the rectory, not behind the chapel. If thor76 goes over there, I wouldn't want him looking in the wrong place.
Are there any plans for a headstone to be placed there? Right now there is a tiny plaque sticking out of the ground.
Thanks.
MMJ
There is a headstone. It was put in place a few weeks ago. A walk way has also been added in fromt of the rectory so that one doesn't have to walk in the wet grass to get to Father's grave.
Thank you , Maybe someone would post a photo of fr. Wicken's grave for those who can not go , to say a prayer?
Eternal rest grant unto Fr. Paul Wickens, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him! Help us all Father!
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