Posted on 12/29/2004 4:33:01 PM PST by NYer
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at nj.com ...
"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.
Ping!
Already posted here:
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1309773/posts
You reallyu don't realize what you have until you have lost it!
SPLITTERS!
This is so sad.
They got a priest who is willing to say the mass in Latin and the Diocese is allowing it, yet they are complaining?!?
I know of tons of Catholics who, if offered this by their Diocese would be doing happy dances in the streets! Including myself (bless Fr. Ben and all our lovely priests). I am blessed to be in a traditional parish.
I think you are missing the point which is that they ALREADY had the traditional Latin Mass, and the only reason why they did is because they defied the local diocese. Now the local diocese is being nice temporarily. Perhaps it will work out wonderfully. It's too soon to tell. But it seems to be quite uncharitable to make negative judgements on the people of St. Anthony's simply because they are rightfully suspicious of the modernist diocese which has done everything in its power over the past 4 decades to destroy their Catholic faith and that of their children.
It seems quite uncharitable to decide that the Archdiocese of Newark is trying to destroy the Catholic Faith of these people and their children.
In fact, it's freakish.
>>I think you are missing the point which is that they ALREADY had the traditional Latin Mass, <<
Oh I get it. I see you are right.
We pray at mass for those who are begging for tradition in our diocese. I will pray for the people of St. Anthony's as well.
"Now the local diocese is being nice temporarily."
This sentence suggests the diocese is now in control of St. Anthony's. I thought Father Perricone was on loan and the church belongs to the board. It will be interesting to see how this unusual situation works out. As with all indult accommodations, the outcome will depend on the permanency and commitment of traditional priests, the questionable motives of diocesan bosses and the determination of parishoners to be true to Father Wicken's memory. This looks like a tall order and the omens are not good.
The right response, on both counts.
Yes, very true. If it works out as well as the situation in Pequanock, then one cannot really complain. But neither can you fault the worries and suspicions of the parishioners who fear that their chapel is being taken over by a modernist diocese.
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