...and the beat goes on in the Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB).
We have a Cardinal who has never seriously considered pastoral needs of traditionalist Catholics who is seemingly bent on shutting down Holy Trinity Church (HTC), home of Boston's German Catholic and Indult Latin Mass communities, despite our pleadings.
Check out:
http://www.holytrinitygerman.org/
Lost on the RCAB is the important role historic churches like Patrick Keeley's Holy Trinity (1877) play in both our physical patrimony and call to evangelization as Catholics. All we seem to experience is a general lack of pastoral solicitude and general diminishment by clerical utilitarians in the role Houses of God play as an effective physical manifestation in the culture war (in Massachusetts). What we hear from the Archdiocese of Boston (RCAB) reconfiguration facilitators are sound bytes that minimize the role churches will play in the modern Catholic identity. Labels as “worship space” and parrotted phrases as , "It only buildings" are most troubling. Previous generations of Boston Catholics regarded the Sacred Architecture of the parish as a primary encounter with the Faith that housed God's Incarnate Reality in the Blessed Sacrament...the "Gate of Heaven". It too said it all. I guess times have changed where a Catholic sense as virtually vanished by those who should be leading the charge.
The Cardinal, despite his physical proximity (a 7 minute walk) to HTC, has never had the decency to even darken Holy Trinity's door...even in unannounced manner. In fact its my understanding that he recently visited “Bridge over Troubled Waters”, a home for troubled young people, in the former HTC Rectory. When asked if he had any interest in seeing Holy Trinity’s interior, he simply responded, “No”. So much for pastoral solicitude, at least as far as the concerns of HTC’s parishioners.
Maybe I’m just “sour grapes”. I get the feeling the Archdiocesan weekly, 'The Pilot' and his Blog (http://www.cardinalseansblog.org/) are very careful to cultivate an impression “Cardinal Sean” is very accessible, very low key and has an interest in the downtrodden. Personally, I have found him less accessible than Cardinal Law in the mid-90’s, who only seems to communicate through his inner circle unless there is some advantage.
Since 2003, we have continually stressed the importance of a dedicated apostolate for the Faithful who seek out the richness of Classical Roman Rite and Sacraments, to both stem an exodus and the general growth of schismatic groups, (particularly those harboring sedevantist error) and attracting newcomers. What has been the RCAB's answer?…
One of dozens of replies:
“Please know the Archbishop has received requests similar to your’s in the past and has consistently responded that in accord with the request of Ecclesia Dei the archdiocese of Boston provides the celebration of Mass in the Tridentine(sic)Rite and has qualified priests to celebrate this Mass. It is not the intention of the Archbishop to begin a Tridentine(sic)Rite parish, thus at this time he does not envision the necessity nor the advantage of inviting priests from either of the two groups (FSSP & ICK) that you mention to the Archdiocese as we can provide for the celebration of the Mass on a weekly basis.”
Most Reverend Richard G. Lennon (now Bishop of Cleveland)
15 Feb 06
There you have it, one of dozens of boiler plate responses received from the RCAB Chancery that continues to dismiss the general aspirations of the Faithful. I never cease to be amazed that our hierarchy thinks this is solely a liturgical issue with never any consideration of a legitimate need for parish life born out of the Classical Liturgy.
FYI, I understand that the sedevacantist CMRI chapel in Woburn (MA) has now more that 300 people attending on a Sunday. Most Sundays we see between 200-250 at HT. Now why the flap and astonishment over Sacred Heart? Maybe the RCAB will get the hint.
Rob:
Don't you know you have to go into schism to get any respect from the Bishops? Just look at what has been lavished upon former schismatics (FSSP, SSJ, IGS, etc.) compared to the faithful who never left.
The best way to preserve Holy Trinity would be to figure out a way to buy it or lease it long term like this and then go into schism and bring in your own priest, who can then petition for reconciliation after a few years. Sad but true.
All,
In case you wondered, the RCAB has been warned repeatedly about this problem and has chosen to ignore the existence and potential growth of such groups by members of the Indult community. This has been particularly dismissed out of hand by the Cardinal and Bishops Lennon and Boles in particular over the last three years. Meanwhile the legitimate need for Parish life that includes formation and traditional spirituality outside of Holy Mass continues to go ignored. Sadly, many souls choose the path of least resistance rather than one of informed discernment. What formation???
While I'll concur the ultimate responsibility lies in individual free will, I attribute much of the responsibilty for loss of Faith with the continued silence and/or inaction of our clerical culture.
As a member of the Indult community since 1994, we were directed for many years “not to advertise” by Msgr. Fred Murphy (former Administrator and Rector of Holy Cross Cathedral) and Bishop Boles (Boston Auxilary). How does this fly in the face of the New Evangelization? Do we share the same responsibility and dignity as other Catholics? You bet! Yet this is but one example that needs to see the light of day before the RCAB can complain about Sacred Heart? Does the RCAB complain about the missionary activity of the CMRI in East Boston and the North End, among unwitting Catholics starved for the Faith of their forebears? What of the steady defections in the Indult community by those simply worn down?
The day Cardinal O’Malley starts showing some genuine pastoral concern for a faithful portion of his flock, I may be swayed in my view point. I honestly think schismatic groups will continue to flourish until he makes a concerted outreach. Inviting the FSSP or ICK to foster parish life could go a long way forming and reforming many souls lost in sad confusion and spiritual abuse.
The reality of the RCAB solution at HTC revolves around a dwindling rotation of aging priests in ill health and a steadfastly refusal to allow several young priests who have expressed interest in assisting, despite personal initiative to learn the Classical Roman Rite. Involvement most assuredly spells political risk and retaliation from the chancery. I'm convinced the current RCAB trajectory is that of institutionalized decline. Scary.
This brings me to wonder and reflect…
John 10:11-18
Salvation of Souls: Not a Numbers Game
Luke 15:4-10