Posted on 08/25/2003 7:21:53 PM PDT by sydney smith
Statement regarding the Tridentine Mass and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter
June 24, 2003
In response to various comments and inquiries, following is an explanation of why the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter was prohibited from celebrating a Tridentine Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine.
Earlier this year, the Basilica of the National Shrine had granted permission for a Eucharistic liturgy to be celebrated June 22 by a group on pilgrimage from Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary. No mention was made of a Tridentine Mass in the original requests to the liturgy office or pilgrimage office, nor was it made clear that the participants in this group were members of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter. Therefore it was presumed that the Mass to be celebrated was the Novus Ordo.
In the Archdiocese of Washington an indult is required for celebration of the Tridentine Mass. Three parish churches have received an indult for its regular celebration. The Basilica does not have an indult and although it is not a church of the archdiocese it is within its jurisdiction and must adhere to its policies.
Upon realizing three days before the scheduled liturgy that it was the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, the Basilica’s liturgy director contacted the Archdiocese of Washington and was advised that an indult had not been obtained for this celebration of the Tridentine Mass. Therefore the Basilica could not permit the liturgy to be celebrated as planned.
This is consistent with previous pilgrimages by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter to the Basilica in which the Order has conducted adoration and benediction of the Blessed Sacrament rather than the celebration of Mass.
Though an effort was made by the Basilica to notify the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter of the ruling from the archdiocese, and to offer a contact for a church in which the Tridentine Mass could be celebrated, the telephone message was not returned.
The Basilica is familiar with Ecclesia Dei, and recognizes and respects the place of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter in the Church. The Basilica also adheres strictly to canon law and protocol, which necessitated the action described above.
"This year we were treated quite kindly by the Novus Ordo clergy of the shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Consolation and even afforded a nice chapel in which to offer Mass."
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