[Catholic Caucus]French Catholics Petition Pope Francis Over Suspension of Ordinations in Toulon

National Catholic Register ^ | June 7, 2022 | Solène Tadié

[ebb tide]

[Catholic Caucus] French Catholics Petition Pope Francis Over Suspension of Ordinations in Toulon

The petitioners expressed their ‘serious concern about the lasting consequences on the relations between Rome and the Christian people of France, already shaken’ by Traditionis Custodes and France’s 2021 sex abuse report.

A group of Catholics from the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon, in southeastern France, has petitioned Pope Francis asking him to reconsider his recent decision to suspend the ordinations of priests and deacons scheduled for the end of this month.  

This measure, made public June 2 by Bishop Dominique Rey of Fréjus-Toulon, followed a fraternal visit of the diocese undertaken by Archbishop Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille at the request of the Vatican. 

Bishop Rey specified that the subsequent suspension of ordinations was requested due to “questions that certain Roman dicasteries were asking about the restructuring of the seminary and the policy of welcoming people to the diocese.”

However, these explanations did not alleviate the consternation of the faithful of the diocese, which is known for its missionary dynamism and the diversity of its communities. 

In an online petition addressed to the Holy Father the day after Bishop Rey’s announcement, the signers say they received the news with “shock and pain.”

“While we welcome [this decision] in obedience to the Church, we do not understand it, especially in view of what we know of Bishop Rey, of his personality and of his action in his diocese for 22 years … that gave a lot of hope for the renewal of the Church of France,” they wrote in the petition, which has so far collected some 8,000 signatures. 

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In the couple’s view, this decision looks more like a sanction than a mere precautionary measure, and is partly motivated by Bishop Rey’s openness with regard to the traditional Latin Mass. “After the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, the bishop was cautious at first, but then he let the parishes that were saying the traditional Mass continue without interfering, and we believe that it really didn’t work in his favor,” Alexandre Massiani said, adding  that he had little hope that their plea to the Pope would be heard, in light of the numerous unsuccessful approaches of the French faithful to Church authorities this past year. 

Another blow by a petty, spiteful dictator pope.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[irishjuggler]

I wonder if it’s pure spite or they really think that their war on the TLM will succeed?

[ebb tide]

I think it’s both.

[Theophilous Meatyard III]

Went to Catholic school, then left the church when I was in the navy. After 40 years, went back, in 2011, then left again a couple of years ago. I accomplished what I wanted to when I got back to it. But that’s between me and God, and involves my late wife.

[Bayard]

Especially cruel, as these men we already ordained transitional deacons and were reasonably of the expectation that they would serve the Church as ordained priests.

Transitional Deacons already make a promise not to marry, so in the eyes of the Church they cannot now pursue another vocation.

[Catholic and Conservative]

Unfortunately, Francis’ efforts to smother traditional Catholic vocations have succeeded in driving a wedge between Bishop Rey and the admirable Dom Alcuin Reid, who founded a monastery in Fréjus-Toulon and who travelled out of France this year to be ordained a priest.

https://cruxnow.com/church-in-europe/2022/06/suspension-of-ordinations-in-france-an-unprecedented-surprise
https://www.thetablet.co.uk/news/15502/traditionalist-monk-suspended-following-clandestine-ordinati