Posted on 07/21/2025 1:26:01 PM PDT by ebb tide
Tensions have arisen over the decision of Bishop François Durand (51) of Valence, in the southeastern Drôme region of France, to close the long-standing apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP). This apostolate was founded in September 1988.
Catholics in Valence and Montélimar have started a strict fast and prayer vigil near the Church of Notre Dame in Valence. Some are sleeping in tents in the car park.
Around 400 parish members signed an open letter on LeDauphine.com, urging the bishop to reconsider.
The Masses and the entire apostolate, including 13 catechism groups, are set to end on September 1.
The diocese justified the crackdown by claiming "repeated disregard for diocesan guidance". However, the key point of contention has just been the FSSP’s refusal to concelebrate the Chrism Mass in the Novus Ordo.
On 15 May, Bishop Durand had announced that the celebration of Sunday Mass in the Roman rite would be entrusted to diocesan clergy. All other sacraments willl be abolished. One priest from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter may continue to celebrate Mass once a week in Montélimar.
In a second letter dated 23 May, Bishop Durand had criticised pastoral initiatives of the FSSP lacking "diocesan orientations".
On FamilleChretienne.fr, Vicar General Father Éric Lorinet used the excuse that the FSSP is acting "like a parish within the parish", causing friction with the local clergy.
Ping
Clearly, these latin speakers are a threat to all God holds true and good.
Nothing more grave than praying to Jesus in LATIN!
OMG, how could they.
No mercy I say. Show no mercy at all. Treat them like the lgbt community, pro-abort politicians, embezzlers and kid fondlers.
Welcome the suffering FSSP. Jesus is asking you for it, for us all.
It’s certainly demoralizing that so many of the novus ordo bishops keep playing these games, but, per Rorate Caeli’s projections, France is only about a dozen years away from an inflection point at which trad priests become the majority.
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2025/06/the-pope-meets-french-bishops.html
Things don’t seem to be improving under Leo.
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