For the First Time, Francis Contradicts Benedict

chiesa ^ | Jul-29-2013 | by Sandro Magister

[Brian Kopp DPM]

For the First Time, Francis Contradicts Benedict

He has touched upon the sore spot of the Mass in the ancient rite. Ratzinger permitted its celebration for all. Bergoglio has prohibited it for one religious order that favored it

by Sandro Magister

ROME, July 29, 2013 – One point on which Jorge Mario Bergoglio was eagerly expected  to weigh in, after his election as pope, was that of the Mass in the ancient rite.

There were those who predicted that Pope Francis would not distance himself from the stance of his predecessor. Who had liberalized the celebration of the Mass in the ancient rite as an “extraordinary” form of the modern rite, with the motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum" of July 7, 2007:

> Benedict XVI Liberalizes the Ancient Rite of the Mass – And Explains Why

and with the subsequent instruction "Universæ Ecclesiæ" of May 13, 2011:

> Two Masses for a Single Church

And there were instead those who prognosticated on the part of Francis a restriction - or even a cancellation - of the possibility of celebrating the Mass with the rite prior to Vatican Council II, even at the cost of contradicting the decisions of Benedict XVI with him still alive.

To read the decree issued by the Vatican congregation for religious shortly before the voyage of Francis in Brazil, with the explicit approval of the pope himself, one must agree more with the latter than with the former.

The decree bears the date of July 11, 2013, the protocol number 52741/2012, and the signatures of the prefect of the congregation, Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz, a focolarino,  and of the secretary of the same congregation, Archbishop José Rodríguez Carballo, a Franciscan.

Braz de Aviz is the only high-ranking official in the curia of Brazilian nationality, and because of this he has accompanied Francis on his voyage to Rio de Janeiro. He has a reputation as a progressive, although that of a scatterbrain fits him better. And he will probably be one of the first to go when the reform of the curia announced by Francis takes shape.

Rodríguez Carballo instead enjoys the pope's complete trust. His promotion as second-in-command of the congregation was backed by Francis himself at the beginning of his pontificate.

It is difficult, therefore, to think that pope Bergoglio was unaware of what he was approving when he was presented with the decree before its publication.

The decree installs an apostolic commissioner - in the person of the Capuchin Fidenzio Volpi - at the head of all the communities of the congregation of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.

And this in itself is cause for astonishment. Because the Franciscans of the Immaculate are one of the most flourishing religious communities born in the Catholic Church in recent decades, with male and female branches, with many young vocations, spread over several continents and with a mission in Argentina as well.

They want to be faithful to tradition, in full respect for the magisterium of the Church. So much so that in their communities they celebrate Masses both in the ancient rite and in the modern rite, as moreover do hundreds of religious communities around the world - the Benedictines of Norcia, to give just one example - applying the spirit and the letter of the motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum" of Benedict XVI.

But precisely this was contested by a core group of internal dissidents, who appealed to the Vatican authorities complaining of the excessive propensity of their congregation to celebrate the Mass in the ancient rite, with the effect of creating exclusion and opposition within the communities, of undermining internal unity and, worse, of weakening the more general "sentire cum Ecclesia."

The Vatican authorities responded by sending an apostolic visitor one year ago. And now comes the appointment of the commissioner.

But what is most astonishing are the last five lines of the decree of July 11:

"In addition to the above, the Holy Father Francis has directed that every religious of the congregation of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate is required to celebrate the liturgy according to the ordinary rite and that, if the occasion should arise, the use of the extraordinary form (Vetus Ordo) must be explicitly authorized by the competent authorities, for every religious and/or community that makes the request.”

The astonishment stems from the fact that what is decreed contradicts the dispositions given by Benedict XVI, which for the celebration of the Mass in the ancient rite “sine populo" demand no previous request for authorization whatsoever:

"Ad talem celebrationem secundum unum alterumve Missale, sacerdos nulla eget licentia, nec Sedis Apostolicae nec Ordinarii sui" (1).

While for Masses "cum populo" they set out a few conditions, but always guaranteeing the freedom to celebrate.

In general, against a decree of a Vatican congregation it is possible to have recourse to the supreme tribunal of the apostolic signatura, today headed by a cardinal, the American Raymond Leo Burke, considered a friend by the traditionalists.

But if the decree is the object of approval in a specific form on the part of the pope, as it seems to be in this case, recourse is not admitted.

The Franciscans of the Immaculate will have to comply with the prohibition on celebrating the Mass in the ancient rite beginning Sunday, August 11.

And now what will happen, not only among them but in the whole Church?

It was the conviction of Benedict XVI that "the two forms of the usage of the Roman Rite can be mutually enriching." He had explained this in the heartfelt letter to the bishops of the whole world with which he had accompanied the motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum":

> "With great trust and hope…"

But from now on this is no longer the case, at least not for all. For the Franciscans of the Immaculate, forced to celebrate the Mass only in the modern form, there remains just one way to take to heart what Benedict XVI also hoped: to "demonstrate" in this form as well, "more powerfully than has been the case hitherto, the sacrality which attracts many people to the former usage."

The fact is that one pillar of the pontificate of Joseph Ratzinger has been cracked. By an exception that many fear - or hope - will soon become the rule.

__________


(1) Curiously, even six years after its publication, the motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum” of Benedict XVI continues to be present on the website of the Holy See only in two languages, and these among the least-known: Latin and Hungarian.

__________


The website of the Franciscans of the Immaculate:

> Francescani dell'Immacolata

__________


There is a thorough pro-and-con dispute over the “Summorum Pontificum” in a book hot off the presses by Professor Pietro De Marco of the University of Florence and the liturgist Andrea Grillo:

A. Grillo, P. De Marco, "Ecclesia universa o introversa?", Edizioni San Paolo, Cinisello Balsamo, 2013.

In criticizing the motu proprio of Benedict XVI, Grillo rejects even its prescriptive validity. Because in his judgment, the missal prior to Vatican Council II has been abrogated. And therefore there is no longer any reason that could justify its use.

Grillo teaches sacramental and liturgical theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of Saint Anselm in Rome.

__________


English translation by Matthew Sherry, Ballwin, Missouri, U.S.A.

[Brian Kopp DPM]

Rorate note: A clear attempt to minimize the importance of this decree is taking place here and there in the blogosphere, as expected. We are being told that this isn't really something to worry about; that this is just a particular situation, limited to a particular religious institution, and has nothing to do with how Pope Francis views Summorum. 

Against these manifestations of the spirit of denial that we have come to know so well since February 28 of this year, we raise the following points. 

1) First, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are not just a small religious Order or congregation occupying a tiny niche of the Traditional Catholic world; with more than 130 priests, they are the second largest canonically-regular religious congregation or society among those that primarily or de facto exclusively offer the Traditional Latin Mass. (The FSSP is the largest.) The family of female monasteries and convents under the spiritual care of the FFI have no other parallel in the Traditional Catholic world outside the SSPX. Anything that restricts the ability  of the FFI to offer the Traditional Latin Mass will of necessity be deeply felt by the Traditional Catholic world. 

2) One justification now being raised is that the FFI's application of Summorum Pontificum had caused discord in many communities and that the Traditional Latin Mass was "imposed" brutally on priests who did not want it. On the contrary, we in Rorate, who have been closely observing the FFI since 2008, can affirm that the opposite is the case: Summorum was applied in a very gradual manner by the FFI, the Novus Ordo was never forbidden in their houses and sanctuaries, and in many parts of the world the FFI continued to offer the Novus Ordo predominantly. It ought to be noted as well that the FFI, in their promotion of the "Forma Extraordinaria", have been remarkably free of polemics and public attacks on the Novus Ordo. 

3) Yet another justification now being used is that this action is acceptable because the FFI were not founded with the TLM as an essential part of their charism. This excuse is incomprehensible as it completely ignores the rights given by Summorum Pontificum to religious priests. Furthermore, if the dissatisfaction of a few is enough to get a whole religious congregation or Order restricted from making use of Summorum Pontificum, this opens an easy way by which the opponents of the old Mass can eventually expel the TLM from all non-"Ecclesia Dei" institutes. 

4) Lastly, and most importantly, the decree -- by specifically restricting the Traditional Latin Mass -- is a clear indication that it is seen as something problematic, something that must be excised from the life of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. If this whole crisis in the FFI is not really about the Traditional Latin Mass, then why is it the target of exclusion and of restrictions, and why does the decree devote so much space to it, and why does the decree take the trouble of noting that this restriction was personally commanded by the Holy Father himself? If the crisis in the FFI is due to the misbehavior of some, then why is the deprivation of the Traditional Latin Mass extended to all?

[ebb tide]

Good advice! I hope you both heed it. It’ll save me valuable time.

[RBStealth]

Good advice! I hope you both heed it. It’ll save me valuable time. It will save you valuable time in debate? and making enemies with those that dont agree with you? and save you time to tangle with others? You take the approach that those who disagree with you are your enemies and to be insulted. This is not Christianity! You like talking about your beliefs but you dont back it up with your actions/behavior. On this forum you are acting like a half Christian. Belief not followed by appropriate action/behavior. You are like a convert who accepts Jesus but then does nothing internally about it, or who sits back on the couch and never lifts a finger to help others.Familiar like so many protestants who lack the sacraments or believe in 'Once Saved, Always Saved'. Posting articles and sharing your beliefs is not 'Evangelization' or 'Apologetics' if it comes with a chip on your shoulder and insults to those who dont' agree with you. Most certainly your outreach is not occurring through prayer, and without prayer, most evanelization/apologetics are not fruitful. Quit hating,despising and insulting other good Christians! You've insulted many here in the last few days. I pray the rosary daily, blessed sacrament and daily mass .But I and others like me are to be insulted by you?

[exPBRrat]

...can’t wait to hear what Michael Vorris has to say about this setback.

[ebb tide]

I pray the rosary daily, blessed sacrament and daily mass.”

You sound like the Pharisee the front pew. What else do you do?

[Zionist Conspirator]

Well, I'm staying away from this one. I've learned my lesson.

You traditionalist and VII evolutionists can just fight this out among yourselves. I'll sit and watch with a big tub of air-popped (gotta watch my figger) popcorn!

[ebb tide]

“Familiar like so many protestants who lack the sacraments or believe in ‘Once Saved, Always Saved’”.

You are like a convert who accepts Jesus but then does nothing internally about it, or who sits back on the couch and never lifts a finger to help others.”

So you are judging me? If I was a Protesant, I would be offended.

But as a traditional Catholic, I'm amused by your immaturity.

[markomalley]

Brian,

As I have said previously, my primary concern with this is that the left (a/k/a modernists) will attempt to take this decree and apply it more broadly.

Sandro has reported that there was an Apostolic Visitor assigned to this order and that this decree came after that point. And this Visitor was assigned during the pontificate of Benedict XVI (Sandro says it was a year ago...)

We don’t know what this Visitor’s report says. Rorate does not know what this report says. That’s why I suggested that you see if any of your connections could secure you a copy of the report.

Suggest you go read Fr Z’s analysis on this. It pretty well lines up with what I said (and, for the peanut gallery out there, if you note the time I made my prior posts and the time he made his post, you’ll realize that either I have a hotline to the Sabine Farm, or it’s a case of great minds thinking alike).

It is a good time to be concerned. It is not a time to panic.

[markomalley]

Remember that Feeneyite that was here a few years ago? A lot of noise and then gone...

[RBStealth]

I remember Verdugo the sede vecantist, gone.

From my last round with this fellow of ours, its now becomes apparent that in real life or at least on the internet that we are dealing with a self-obsessed narcissist(redundant for clarification).

[Brian Kopp DPM]

From the FI blog:

The FI’s and Pope Francis

Posted on July 29, 2013 by frangelo

It was reported in the Catholic online press today that our religious community, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, has been assigned an Apostolic Commissioner by the Sacred Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated life.  Pope Francis has ordered the decree which goes into effect on August 12.

Pope Francis has also severely restricted our use of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, and this has been reported by a major italian journalist as a “contradiction” of Pope Benedict’s permission granted in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.  This is an unfortunate instance of an overeager journalist sensationalizing something he can only speculate about.

The restrictions on our community are specific to us and have been put in place for reasons specific to us.  Pope Francis has not contradicted Pope Benedict.  The visitation of our community began under Pope Benedict and the Commission was recommended by Cardinal João Braz de Aviz who was appointed to the Congregation by Pope Benedict.

What is being reported in the press and what has actually transpired within our community over the course of a number of years are two different things.

Many of us—I would hope most of us—Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, welcome the Holy Father’s intervention into our life and trust fully that Holy Mother Church knows exactly what she is doing, even when the journalists do not.  We entrust ourselves to her care, just as we do to the Immaculate.

Please pray for our Institute.

[markomalley]

Thanks for the update.

[Salvation]

Strange. I’m reading a book on Mother Angelica. She had her nuns read all of Vatican II. Vatican II did not outlaw the Latin Mass.

So in order to keep things going in the right direction Mother Angelica changed her programming at that time to the Latin Mass.

I wonder how many people realize this?

[Salvation]

**is it really DEAD now?**

No, read the interview of Mother Angelica written by Raymon Arroyo.

[Salvation]

Doesn’t look like you do anything.

http://www.freerepublic.com/~ebbtide/

[ebb tide]

You don’t know what I do. You don’t know how many Rosaries I pray, you don’t know how many Novenas I pray, You don’t know how many Eucharistist Adorations I attend. You don’t know anything about me.

So don’t lie about me. And stop using my homepage (which is blank) as your target practice.

You are one nosey person.

[Salvation]

I check a lot of people’s homepages. It’s not being nosy, it’s just checking the facts.

I was surprised at your post for your remind me of the Pharisee standing in the front of the synagogue boasting. I didn’t think that would be you at all.

Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.

Maybe I am more like the publican in back saying, “Lord forgive me for you know I am a sinner.”

Although I do many of the same things you mention, I don’t boast about them. I try to be humble and quiet.

However, I do post once in awhile....for example...just got home from a Serra Club meeting. Our speaker was great.

[ebb tide]

“Never let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.”

Tell that to Msgr Ricci next time he’s stuck in an elevator.

[Salvation]

Thanks for the self-portrait. LOL! (so I guess you are a lady in disguise?)