Excommunications Lifted - Tradition Vindicated!

Letter of the Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X

Dear faithful,

As I announce in the attached press release, "the excommunication of the bishops consecrated by His Grace Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, on June 30, 1988, which had been declared by the Congregation for Bishops in a decree dated July 1, 1988, and which we had always contested, has been withdrawn by another decree mandated by Benedict XVI and issued by the same Congregation on January 21, 2009.” It was the prayer intention I had entrusted to you in Lourdes, on the feast of Christ the King 2008. Your response exceeded our expectations, since one million seven hundred and three thousand rosaries were said to obtain through the intercession of Our Lady that an end be put to the opprobrium which, beyond the persons of the bishops of the Society, rested upon all those who were more or less attached to Tradition. Let us not forget to thank the Most Blessed Virgin who has inspired the Holy Father with this unilateral, benevolent, and courageous act to. Let us assure him of our fervent prayers.

Thanks to this gesture, Catholics attached to Tradition throughout the world will no longer be unjustly stigmatized and condemned for having kept the Faith of their fathers. Catholic Tradition is no longer excommunicated. Though it never was in itself, it was often excommunicated and cruelly so in day to day events. It is just as the Tridentine Mass had never been abrogated in itself, as the Holy Father has happily recalled in the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of July 7, 2007.

The decree of January 21 quotes the letter dated December 15, 2008 to Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos in which I expressed our attachment “to the Church of Our Lord Jesus-Christ which is the Catholic Church,” re-affirming there our acceptation of its two thousand year old teaching and our faith in the Primacy of Peter. I reminded him that we were suffering much from the present situation of the Church in which this teaching and this primacy were being held to scorn. And I added: “We are ready to write the Creed with our own blood, to sign the anti-modernist oath, the profession of faith of Pius IV, we accept and make our own all the councils up to the Second Vatican Council about which we express some reservations.” In all this, we are convinced that we remain faithful to the line of conduct indicated by our founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, whose reputation we hope to soon see restored.

Consequently, we wish to begin these “talks” -- which the decree acknowledges to be “necessary -- about the doctrinal issues which are opposed to the Magisterium of all time. We cannot help noticing the unprecedented crisis which is shaking the Church today: crisis of vocations, crisis of religious practice, of catechism, of the reception of the sacraments… Before us, Paul VI went so far as to say that “from some fissure the smoke of Satan had entered the Church”, and he spoke of the “self-destruction of the Church”. John Paul II did not hesitate to say that Catholicism in Europe was, as it were, in a state of “silent apostasy.” Shortly before his election to the Throne of Peter, Benedict XVI compared the Church to a “boat taking in water on every side.” Thus, during these discussions with the Roman authorities we want to examine the deep causes of the present situation, and by bringing the appropriate remedy, achieve a lasting restoration of the Church.

Dear faithful, the Church is in the hands of her Mother, the Most Blessed Virgin Mary. In Her we place our confidence. We have asked from her the freedom of the Mass of all time everywhere and for all. We have asked from her the withdrawal of the decree of excommunications. In our prayers, we now ask from her the necessary doctrinal clarifications which confused souls so much need.

Menzingen, January 24, 2009
+Bernard Fellay

This is a very special event to have occurred at the end of this week of prayer for Christian Unity. There have been a lot of rumours about this happening over the last few days. Fr Finigan has spent a good deal of time summarising some of this. Notably there have also been a couple of controversial news statements; one stating the obvious that Archbishop Lefebvre signed all the Vatican II documents, and another unfortunate television interview with anti-semetic Bishop Williamson.

It is important to reiterate this is the second condition for full reunion from the SSPX's point of view (the first being the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum) and that therefore there is still a long process to go. There have been many Catholics lost from communion with the Church due to this schism. I'm sure there will be many adherents to the SSPX who resist further moves to join Rome. But ultimately it shows us some important things, I feel: Firstly that it was entirely necessary for the SSPX to exist the last few decades, and for Archbishop Lefebvre to continue their work by ordaining more Bishops, even if this was illicit - it was an extraordinary situation.

Furthermore that the traditional mass is not the end of the matter - that there are important doctrinal issues to discuss. It may be that the leadership of the SSPX, however imperfect, are the perfect people to go about this. The SSPX are not budging on their principles- and despite this the Holy Father is offering them this olive branch by normalising their status. I suspect this is because he is in sympathy with their situation

The irony here is that its all thanks to Ecumenism! (Despite a lack of charity in that department when compared with your average 'churches together' mince pie and coffee morning!)

YouTube Vaticana

"So that the Church and its message continue to be present in the great aeropagus of social communications as defined by John Paul II and so that it is not a stranger to those spaces where numerous young people search for answers and meaning in their lives, you must find new ways to spread voices and images of hope through the ever-evolving communications system that surrounds our planet."

http://uk.youtube.com/vatican

It would seem a shame to boycott YouTube when they are making such excellent deals...

Telegram to the President

I join my voice with that of the Holy Father:

On the occasion of your inauguration as the forty-fourth President of the United States of America I offer cordial good wishes, together with the assurance of my prayers that Almighty God will grant you unfailing wisdom and strength in the exercise of your high responsibilities.

Under your leadership may the American people continue to find in their impressive religious and political heritage the spiritual values and ethical principles needed to cooperate in the building of a truly just and free society, marked by respect for the dignity, equality and rights of each of its members, especially the poor, the outcast and those who have no voice.

At a time when so many of our brothers and sisters throughout the world yearn for liberation from the scourge of poverty, hunger and violence, I pray that you will be confirmed in your resolve to promote understanding, cooperation and peace among the nations, so that all may share in the banquet of life which God wills to set for the whole human family (cf. Isaiah 25:6-7). Upon you and your family, and upon all the American people, I willingly invoke the Lord’s blessings of joy and peace.

Benedictus PP. XVI [My Emphasis]

For an excellent look forward to the next President from a Pro-life Catholic perspective, go here. I feel it helps to cut through some of the sensationalism.

Another Noisy Kid

Congratulations to a Dad With Noisy Kids across the pond, whose brave family have a beautiful new addition. Please pop over and say a prayer for them. They're an inspiration for me because he is a Daddy Doctor too.

A History?!

It is always best, when one has a television, to plan your viewing wisely and in advance. That is why I was pleased to have bought a TV guide this week to get a bit of a forewarning about the new 8-part series starting tonight on Channel 4, entitled "Christianity: A History". Normally, having seen the title, I would probably tune straight in and see what was on offer. But after looking at the line-up, it is pretty clear as to the motivation of the film-makers.

It is at first glance an interesting format: Eight different presenters look at different aspects of Christianity's turbulent past. But who do they pick? Firstly, to kick-start things, how about British Jew Howard Jacobson? From the short clips on their website, what better way to tar the entire history of Christianity than to start things off with the Jewish perspective. Basically that Jesus was not the son of God at all, but a Jewish teacher who didn't fulfil the prophecies of the Old Testament, and wasn't even born in Bethlehem! Those silly Christians... It seems that all the other episodes seek to portray a similarly one-sided picture of Christianity, and in particular Catholicism.

If this first attack on Christianity hadn't satiated the rampant anti-Christian, then next up we progress onto the Catholic Church: Lapsed Catholic Michael Portillo (right) looks at the role of the Roman Empire and Emperor Constantine and concludes that "once enthroned in a position of power, the church never looked back - and this has been a disaster for Christianity because 'power is for politicians and not for churchmen'".

In episode 4 we have Rageh Omaar: Obviously not content with war correspondance, he bides his time between slating Christian history and exhorting Islam (BBC4's An Islamic History of Europe. Science and Islam is also currently showing). This particular episode promises to show us the evils of the crusades and the way in which they continue today in the minds of many in the Middle East.

Episode 7 has Colin Blakemore, atheistic scientist, ultimately show that Science will one day make religion completely unnecessary. And to really top things off, the series culminates in Cherie Booth (Blair) looking to the future of Catholicism. Please.

Amongst all this I might consider watching the episode by Ann Widdecombe MP (left) looking at the Reformation, and perhaps Theologian Robert Beckford exploring the Dark Ages, and Christianity as the cultural glue that held together England. But I imagine this series ultimately hopes to show that even from eight different perspectives of 'high-profile personalities', Christianity is something to be scoffed at, and that we should do our best to manipulate history to this end.

My conclusion is that mass media and (true) religion do not mix. I would not ask for Christian propoganda to be shown either. I accept the fact that Christ is, and has always been, the ultimate contradiction to the world. Revelation by its nature will always be: it is in Man's lowest places that the Light must "shineth in the darkness". Ultimately, to quote St Paul (to the Ephesians):

To you therefore that believe, he is honour: but to them that believe not, the stone which the builders rejected, the same is made the head of the corner: And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of scandal, to them who stumble at the word, neither do believe, whereunto also they are set. But you are a chosen generation, a kingly priesthood, a holy nation, a purchased people: that you may declare his virtues, who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Who in time past were not a people: but are now the people of God. Who had not obtained mercy; but now have obtained mercy.

And thus it is with great satisfaction that I have not tuned into today's programme with Jewish propoganda about Jesus. It is foolish to think that today's Judaism somehow mirrors the religion that Jesus came to fulfil. When the Word was made flesh, it was a turning point for Judaism. Christ had little regard for the hypocrisy of the teachers, but equally did not seek to destroy everything that came before him. Shortly after the Church was born, the temple at Jerusalem was destroyed, and the sacrificial system of the Old Covenant (which should be integral to Judaism) was lost. Only in the New Covenant, and the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, is God's spotless victim offered for the redemption of the world, as prophesised by Malachi:

For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation.

It is unlikely that any of these documentaries would look to faithful Christian scholars and historians for input, all in the quest of appeasing the giant consumer culture it is aimed at. I think it best to stick to pure entertainment in the form of Sherlock Holmes and ER.

12th Day of Christmas

I came across this today, which I posted 2 years ago, and wanted to recall it today! Just a quick chuckle... a song about today's Feast at the Birmingham Oratory!

Invitation - Epiphany High Mass

Traditional Feast of the Epiphany
Solemn High Mass in the Classical Roman ('Tridentine') Rite
Birmingham Oratory
(at the High Altar)
8pm - Tuesday, January 6th 2009

Following the success of the Birmingham Oratory's Solemn High Mass for the feast of the Epiphany 2 years ago (excess of 200 in attendence), the Oratory Fathers will once again celebrate a traditional High Mass.

Most Catholics in England & Wales are forced now to celebrate the Epiphany on the nearest Sunday. Here is the perfect opportunity to observe this important feast of Our Lord on the day it is properly intended. Tailored Mass books and full translations are provided, which will make it perfect for newcomers to the Tridentine Rite.

View Map

Oratory Christmas Masses

You can see the latest Oratory newsletter with a complete breakdown of all the masses at the Oratory for the Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord.

But I wanted to draw people's attention to the ones in Latin, since people are prepared to travel far and wide for these:

Christmas Eve:
"Mass of Christmas Midnight" according to the 1962 Missal: Wednesday December 24th at 4pm (fulfils obligation)

Christmas Morning:
Low Mass according to the 1962 Missal in St Philip's Chapel: Thursday December 25th at 9.30am
Solemn High Mass in Novus Ordo: Thursday December 25th at 11am

Feast of St Stephen (Boxing Day):
Low Mass according to the 1962 Missal: Friday December 26th at 9.30am

Feast of St Thomas Becket of Canterbury (Patron of English Clergy):
Solemn High Mass according to the 1962 Missal: Monday December 29th at 11am

Hopefully I will be able to book annual leave at short notice for the latter mass! Luckily I am not on the rota to work over Christmas itself and am looking forward to a lovely family affair. However, spare a thought for all those who are not so lucky. In fact, maybe Christmas Day should be transferred to the sunday after, to avoid any possibility that anyone would miss this important feast. Or maybe not.

I think we will have to stop calling the traditional, extraordinary form of the Latin Mass, the "1962 Missal" since it was updated by the Holy Father this year, with a new prayer for Good Friday, and is therefore more properly called the 2008 Missal (the most recent form of the Roman Rite, forever old and forever new!)

Rejoice!

GAUDETE in Dómino semper: íterum dico, gaudéte. Modéstia vestra nota sit ómnibus homínibus: Dóminus enim prope est. Nihil dolíciti sitis: sed in omni oratióne petitiónes vestrae innotéscant apud Deum.

REJOICE in the Lord always: again I say, rejoice. Let your modesty be known to all men: for the Lord is nigh. Be nothing solicitous : but in every thing by prayer let your petitions be made known to God.

(Introit, Third Sunday of Advent, Philip 4: 4-6)

Advent is not merely anticipating the first Christmas of Christ's birth, but takes St John the Baptist's call to repentance afresh in order to prepare for the second coming, the day of the Lord. We are reminded after every Mass in the old Rite, at the Last Gospel, of this important call:

[St John the Baptist] came for a witness, to bear witness of the light, that all men might believe. He was not the light but was to bear witness of the light. That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.

(beginning of St John's Gospel)

Thus it is that every Mass should be a preparation for Christ's coming; a chance to make fresh our conversion, and anticipate the glorious coming of Christ. For where he once came into the world at Bethlehem, so he comes into the world anew every Mass at the consecration, through the action of the Holy Spirit; and so will he come at the end of time, in glory, to judge the living and the dead.

Ethics Essay

When I was in my first year at medical school, being drip-fed Beauchamp and Childress' principles of biomedical ethics, I confess to have missed the excitement in healthcare ethics. In recent years I have come to hold it in high esteem, and benefited immensely from the recent Linacre Conference.

This is all just as well, since it is a core competence of Foundation Trainees (junior doctors) to consider these issues. I was determined to show a degree of aptitude, and so I wrote an essay for a competition run by the Institute of Medical Ethics. The title was based on the well known maxim Primum non nocere (First do no harm) and went on to recommend Virtue Ethics in the practice of medicine.

Alas, I did not win a prize. But at least I can be proud of my work, and will now welcome any comments. I have published it over at the Catholic Physicians Blog (click on the title of this post for a direct link to my essay).