[Major Catholic Schism Partially Ended!!!]: Lefebvre Catholics opt for full communion with Rome

www.FIDES.org ^ | 1-18-2002 | staff

[Notwithstanding]

Fides News 020118

BRAZIL
Lefebvre Catholics opt for full communion with Rome

Rio de Janeiro (Fides) – Today Friday January 18, the only schism in the Church on the most Catholic of continents, Latin America, is over. Brazilian Catholics who had followed the line of the late French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, are being welcomed back to the bosom of the Church after 20 years of separation. The "traditionalists", as the group is called, led by Bishop Licinio Rangel and 26 priests, are mostly in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in Campos dos Goytacazes region. They have decided to return to full communion with the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church of Rome. The decision was strongly opposed by Mgr. Bernard Fellay, head of the Saint Pius X Fraternity, who even traveled to Brazil to try to persuade the group not to make the step of reconciliation with Rome.

The official ceremony, with the reading of the statement of welcome written by Pope John Paul II, will take place in Campos, at Sao Salvador Cathedral at 6pm. After reciting the Creed and singing the Te Deum the congregation will move to the church Imaculado Coracao de Nossa Senhora do Rosario de Fatima – built by the traditionalists – for a prayer to Our Lady. The Holy Father will be represented by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Clergy. Others present will include the Nuncio in Brazil, Archbishop Alfio Rapisarda; emeritus Archbishop of Rio, Cardinal Eugenio Sales; the Bishop of Campos Roberto Guimaraes; the Metropolitan Archbishop of Niteroi Carlos Alberto Navarro.

Also present an official of the Congregation for the Clergy Rev. Fernando Guimaraes who spoke to Fides on the eve of the ceremony. "The great victory today is for Christ and his Church", Fr Fernando says, explaining that reconciliation began in 2000, during the Great Jubilee, when the group made a pilgrimage to Rome and was welcomed by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos with a lunch and dialogue. Not long afterwards the group sent a letter with a request for reintegration which was granted by Pope John Paul II in a document, which will be read during the ceremony, containing indications to be followed. From now on they recognise: the authority of the Pope as Vicar of Christ and Shepherd of the Church; the legitimacy of the Second Vatican Council; the validity of the Mass approved by Pope Paul VI. The Traditionalists have permission to celebrate Mass in Latin (St Pius V rite ), using the Pope John XXIII Missal.

During these twenty years the Traditionalists have built churches and chapels, opened a seminary, a school, social centres and monasteries. Today in Brazil there are about 28,000 of them. The priests will form the Apostolic Administration of St Jean Marie Vianney, a form of ecclesiastical circumscription which will depend directly on the Pope. Their Bishop Licinio Rangel, now officially recognised Apostolic Administrator, says he and his priests will travel to Rome to thank the Pope personally. Bishop Rangel says that thanks to John Paul II the diocese of Campos is now in peace and "in full communion with the Vatican". He also said that the diocesan Bishop will continue to be Mgr. Roberto Guimaraes whom he praised highly attributing to him the merit for the end of the schism.

Fr Fernando Guimaraes told Fides that in Campos there is "an air of great rejoicing and participation". This event is "reunion in the spirit of Jesus Christ – <that they may be one>". Fr Guimares sees the event as "a moment of great historical value because the schism had its apex in this Pontificate of Pope Paul II, and now during the same Pontificate it is healed" and he added that "this is the first group to request reintegration. Dialogue with other groups remains open but, time is in God’s hands".

The Traditionalist Catholics of Campos diocese were followers of the French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the Brazilian Bishop Antonio de Castro Mayer, contrary to the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. In a joint celebration in Switzerland, both men ordained four bishops, in open contrast with directions issued by Pope John Paul II.

The situation in Campos is isolated while in other places dialogue is hampered by a certain rigidity on the part of the interlocutors. It is estimated that Lefebvre followers are about 300 priests and circa a million faithful. Some lay groups are forming communities which have no contact either with the Catholic Church or with the Traditionalist.    (Fides 18/1/2002)

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[Rodney King]

Thanks. Great post.

[sinkspur]

The greatness of the Classical Rite is that it challenges us to meditate on the great mystery of faith -- that of transubstantiation, God coming down upon the altar under the appearances of bread and wine. The sense of that great gift is something lost in the typical Novus Ordo celebration.

This, obviously, is a matter of opinion. As a life-long Catholic of 50 years, I find the Novus Ordo much more prayerful than the Tridentine Mass. I'm supportive of allowing the Tridentine Mass where demand justifies its celebration for those who don't feel the way I do, however.

My use of a Down's Syndrome baby was meant to highlight the tragic nature of the liturgical reform and nothing more. But I'm sure you knew that.

I know how you meant it; its use was in very poor taste. Surely your fertile mind could have conjured up something else.

Sorry to further inflame your chronically hyperemic constitution, but I do not make things up. Mother Teresa gave many, many addresses, and I'm sure that there are a few for which you don't have the transcript.

Sorry, but your statement about Mother Teresa, conveniently hidden behind what "someone else told you" pegs my bullshit meter. I suspect no one told you any such thing, unless you'd like to back it up with some evidence.

Interesting that you don't consider it important to know whether a statement you attribute to Mother Teresa was actually ever uttered by her.

[Hibernius Druid]

Thank you for your cogent posts to this lively, important thread.

I worked with two recent converts to Roman Catholicism while they were pondering their conversion decision. Both persons tell the world how the majestic, aesthetic splendor of the Tridentine liturgy had so much to do with their decision. Both, by the way, love also the Novus Ordo Latin Mass, as do I.

[Squire]

Your self-immolation continues apace. If you will please re-read my original post, you will see that I specifically state that I have not verfied the Mother Teresa incident, but, instead, had only heard it talked about in the Catholic press. But thanks for making up in heat what you lack in light.

As for the Pope Paul "invention," I will help you somewhat with your checking-up on my veracity. While I usually require at least apparent good will as a pre-condition for doing others' work for them, I will make an exception in this case. Please review a particular work of the great philosopher (and close friend of Pope Paul), Jean Guitton -- the book is entitled The Secret Paul VI. I'm assuming you don't like to read too much. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any Cliffs Notes out for it, but don't worry. It's pretty skimmable.

[sinkspur]

I'm assuming you don't like to read too much.

On the contrary, I've read the work you cite. I don't recall Paul VI's intentions characterized as you have related, but I'll trot on out to the library tomorrow and refresh.

I apologize if I've offended your delicate sensibilities, but there has been so much misrepresentation of Vatican II and its aftermath by those who don't accept its authenticity (that doesn't include you, of course), that my antennae are up when someone claims to know the inside workings of the Council and the minds of any of the Popes.

Catholics catch enough grief from the bashers around here. We don't need to be eating our own.

Have a good weekend.

[ninenot]

No, sinktwit, the Cathedral's obnoxious destruction is not our principal worry here in Milwaukee. However, if you do just a little research you will find that pederasty, criminal fraud, and outright lying and stealing is rather common up here.

Nice to know that 60% of your fellow parishioners show up--apparently 40% don't read the 3rd Commandment and the laws of the Church. In Milwaukee, 100% of Old Rite adherents show up EVERY WEEK----and sometimes far more often, for Mass.

Just a minor difference.

[patent]

>>>SSPX was offered a prelature similar to that of Opus Dei,

They were offered an apolstolic administration, even better. Pretty much complete freedom, but they didn't take it.

patent

[TEXICAN II]

The patient & thoughtful explanations of some aspects of the many variations on the theme ( schism ) is appreciated. This marks the very first time I have found anyone still active in the Church with the courage to even address this issue. I am, however, convinced that the entire Church has become corrupted-by federal money, socialistic & communistic philosophies and suffers the same manner of degredation of all other of our institutions. When offices are maintained in Washington,D.C. to lobby for more money, this has become a government agency, not a Church. I have a long list of traditionalist sites on my favorites ( UnaVoce & many others amoung them ) & have read through several. I shall look into the several you mention, as some are new to me.

Encouraging but I think a purging is needed. The huge infusion of criminal aliens has brought up the numbers in the US, now we shall see if the federal ( tax ) money & donations of working class parishners is sufficient to satisfy US & Vatican needs. The last priest with whom I had direct contact now serves 3 life terms in Texas prison. He came to our parish with a charge from the bishop to put the finances in order, manage more efficiently & appropriatly to what he termed, "A half million dollar a year enterprise". The pews are now filled with people who can hardly speak English. I wonder what became of the 'half million dollar a year enterprise"?

[sinkspur]

In Milwaukee, 100% of Old Rite adherents show up EVERY WEEK----and sometimes far more often, for Mass.

I see this touted by all the "Old Rite" adherents.

I don't believe it; 100% of the Catholics who belonged to the Church when the "Old Rite" was all there was didn't attend Mass every Sunday.

I consider 60% attendance good, given that the average Sunday Mass attendance in the United States is 50%.

[ninenot]

Speaking only for myself, I have doubts that I would have begun the process of converting to Catholicism if it had been solely in Latin.

John Henry Newman 'changed' to a strictly Latin Rite--and more recently, so did GK Chesterton. Not a bad crowd to join with...

[patent]

>>>This statistic alone speaks volumes about the fruitfulness of the Novus Ordo. Having only 6 out of 10 parishoners attending Mass weekly would considered disgraceful before Vatican 2.

Really? Care to present statistics on Mass attendance before Vatican II?

patent

[Squire]

I'll trot on out to the library tomorrow and refresh.

OK. If on the off-chance the library carries Homiletic and Pastoral Review, the Mother Teresa incident is related in the March, 1997, issue.

Catholics catch enough grief from the bashers around here. We don't need to be eating our own.

Yup. Agreed.

Have a good weekend.

You too.

[sinkspur]

The pews are now filled with people who can hardly speak English.

Maybe a few of you Catholics over there in Dallas ought to encourage these folks to go to Blessed Sacrament or Our Lady of Lourdes or St. Cecilia's.

They'd probably be happier there, knowing there wasn't somebody looking down his nose at them.

Or send them to St. Michael's in Bedford. We welcome everybody.

[patent]

Loyalist,

Archbishop Lefebvre never denied the sacramental validity of the Novus Ordo Missae. Celebrated with the proper intention, it is a valid Mass. But it is so structurally flawed that it is extremely difficult for a priest to celebrate it with the proper intention.

Absurd. A valid Mass has the proper form and matter, as with any other Sacrament. Read the Summa on what the proper form and matter are, and it is clear the Novus Ordo is valid, and is not difficult to say properly.

For that reason alone, these changes are contrary to Catholic faith.

Re read the relevant sections from Trent. They are not contrary to the Catholic faith, they were judged as imprudent in the 1500s. You could say they are imprudent now as well, but that is not nearly the same as contrary to the Catholic faith.

Quo Primum specifically established the Tridentine Rite as the Rite of the Mass for all time.

Then, while Quo Primum said no changes ever to the Mass, why did the Popes immediately following change the Mass?

The Pope, speaking ex cathedra, is considered infallible when he pronounces on matters of faith. The Mass is the sublime expression of the central truth of the Catholic faith. Therefore matters of liturgy are matters of faith, to which Popes can bind their successors.

The liturgy touches on matters of faith, certainly, but it is a matter of discipline. Some comments from Mediator Dei, Pius XII, 1947:

22. As circumstances and the needs of Christians warrant, public worship is organized, developed and enriched by new rites, ceremonies and regulations, always with the single end in view, "that we may use these external signs to keep us alert, learn from them what distance we have come along the road, and by them be heartened to go on further with more eager step; for the effect will be more precious the warmer the affection which precedes it."[25]

and

49. From time immemorial the ecclesiastical hierarchy has exercised this right in matters liturgical. It has organized and regulated divine worship, enriching it constantly with new splendor and beauty, to the glory of God and the spiritual profit of Christians. What is more, it has not been slow--keeping the substance of the Mass and sacraments carefully intact--to modify what it deemed not altogether fitting, and to add what appeared more likely to increase the honor paid to Jesus Christ and the august Trinity, and to instruct and stimulate the Christian people to greater advantage.[47]

50. The sacred liturgy does, in fact, include divine as well as human elements. The former, instituted as they have been by God, cannot be changed in any way by men. But the human components admit of various modifications, as the needs of the age, circumstance and the good of souls may require, and as the ecclesiastical hierarchy, under guidance of the Holy Spirit, may have authorized. This will explain the marvelous variety of Eastern and Western rites. Here is the reason for the gradual addition, through successive development, of particular religious customs and practices of piety only faintly discernible in earlier times. Hence likewise it happens from time to time that certain devotions long since forgotten are revived and practiced anew. All these developments attest the abiding life of the immaculate Spouse of Jesus Christ through these many centuries. They are the sacred language she uses, as the ages run their course, to profess to her divine Spouse her own faith along with that of the nations committed to her charge, and her own unfailing love. They furnish proof, besides, of the wisdom of the teaching method she employs to arouse and nourish constantly the "Christian instinct."

And

58. It follows from this that the Sovereign Pontiff alone enjoys the right to recognize and establish any practice touching the worship of God, to introduce and approve new rites, as also to modify those he judges to require modification. [50] Bishops, for their part, have the right and duty carefully to watch over the exact observance of the prescriptions of the sacred canons respecting divine worship.[51] Private individuals, therefore, even though they be clerics, may not be left to decide for themselves in these holy and venerable matters, involving as they do the religious life of Christian society along with the exercise of the priesthood of Jesus Christ and worship of God; concerned as they are with the honor due to the Blessed Trinity, the Word Incarnate and His august mother and the other saints, and with the salvation of souls as well. For the same reason no private person has any authority to regulate external practices of this kind, which are intimately bound up with Church discipline and with the order, unity and concord of the Mystical Body and frequently even with the integrity of Catholic faith itself.

I could go on, but you get the point. The Pope has complete discretion to change all but the divine parts of the Mass. And even those, the Church has always recognized different rites with variations in those parts, so you cannot contend that one specific phrase must be used, its just that those parts cannot be done away with.

Those dioceses and orders most enraptured by the spirit of Vatican II aren't getting them.

Exactly what is this spirit of Vatican II? You sound like a liberal, pinning all kinds of novelty on VII, none of which it supports. That liberals try to hijack the Council and have had some success distorting what it said is no excuse for a traditional Catholic to help them.

While they have done more damage to the Church than any other group of heretics since the Arians, they have not produced a generation of clerics who share their revolutionary fervour.

Perhaps Vatican II is shining through at long last.

, we may be sure that the Vatican II revolution will be decisively defeated.

Exactly what is this revolution? What in the Vatican II documents do you pin this on?

Dominus Vobiscum

patent  +AMDG

[patent]

You've nailed it on the head. Look at what the Vatican promised the Society of St. Peter at their formation, and now what the Vatican has reneged on; forcing those poor priests to give Holy Communion in the hand and concelebrating "Nervous Order" Masses.

Care to substantiate this? How many FSSP priests have given Communion in the hand, where and when? How many have concelebrated Novus Ordo Masses?

Dominus Vobiscum

patent  +AMDG

[patent]

I was under the impression that the RC church was the only Christian Church that was not in decline.

Not the only. Most of the more conservative denominations are doing well.

Dominus Vobiscum

patent  +AMDG

[TEXICAN II]

I look down my nose at anyone who invades this country, steals from the taxpayer & violates the principles on which the nation was founded. I also find institutional support of such criminal behavior dispicable. You may well do otherwise, as is in keeping with whatever peculiar habits you may follow. For myself, I am no longer a Catholic & do not reside in Dallas. You need contact that diocese to make your opinions more widely known & your talents fully appreciated.

I notice that the INS & the US Border patrol are running large display adds in the employment section of the Sunday papers-maybe, in the near future, some of your fellow parishoners should watch out for green vans heading to your church. I wonder at the penalties for involvement in assisting criminal aliens? A felony, perhaps? Hmmm, I'll read-up on that.

[sinkspur]

For myself, I am no longer a Catholic & do not reside in Dallas.

So your statement about "those pews now being filled with people who barely speak English" was just hyperbole.

You don't have actual knowledge, since you don't go to Church any more.

Or maybe you're clairvoyant.

Or, maybe, you and Pat Buchanan are bosom buds.

[pbear8]

Texican, hang out with the few good Catholics that you can find. Remember, the Church has been through very tough times before (always because we put these stupid humans in charge) and Our Lord has raised up good people against the gates of Hell.

We all would like to quit from time to time. That is why we need each other. I can personally vouch for the folks at 'Latin Mass' magazine, just spent last weekend with them. Una Voce, great folks doing the Lord's work. There are costless other small groups of people blessed by God who are willing to sacrifice and become martyrs.

It is easy to look at the corporate aspects and the non-pastoral priests, the neo-marxists priests, etc. But we don't do this because of them, we do it in spite of them.

Texican, you are one of us, find the least obnoxious parish around you and worship Jesus as his saints have done for the past 2000 years. Focus only on Jesus, in the end He is our hope and salvation. Great is your reward in heaven for your fidelity.

[pbear8]

Texican, hang out with the few good Catholics that you can find. Remember, the Church has been through very tough times before (always because we put these stupid humans in charge) and Our Lord has raised up good people against the gates of Hell.

We all would like to quit from time to time. That is why we need each other. I can personally vouch for the folks at 'Latin Mass' magazine, just spent last weekend with them. Una Voce, great folks doing the Lord's work. There are costless other small groups of people blessed by God who are willing to sacrifice and become martyrs.

It is easy to look at the corporate aspects and the non-pastoral priests, the neo-marxists priests, etc. But we don't do this because of them, we do it in spite of them.

Texican, you are one of us, find the least obnoxious parish around you and worship Jesus as his saints have done for the past 2000 years. Focus only on Jesus, in the end He is our hope and salvation. Great is your reward in heaven for your fidelity.