Unam Sanctam: Musings of a Young Catholic

Here is a great account of a 25-year old Catholic living in Malaysia, where he yearns to experience the faith of the Fathers amidst a muslim majority who reward apostasy from their religion with death. Quite unlike anything we moan about really...

The picture has very little to do with it - but is a still from the only redeeming feature of the movie 'Dogma' which humourously portrays the modern church as hopelessly trying to change its image and make it more accessible and popular even if it brings in hell on earth. Everything else about the aforementioned film is blasphemous and offensive, so I wouldn't recommend you watch it, only simply cast your eyes on this photo as a graphic representation of what is becoming of Christ!

A response to Dr. Trevor Stammers

Further to my discussion on the Guild of Catholic Doctors (GCD) -vs- Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF); the Guild's quarterly, in their latest November 2006 issue, have published my response to Trevor Stammers. Dr. Trevor Stammers FRCGP is Chair-elect of the CMF and has written several articles for their magazines, Triple Helix and Nucleus. He wrote into the Guild's quartely after my initial letter, complaining that I was creating "unnecessary divisions between the Guild and the Fellowship" and that "being a member of the Guild does certainly not preclude membership of the CMF as far as the fellowship is concerned."

I needn't say any more but reproduce the letter I wrote:

Sir,

In response to Dr. Trevor Stammers[1], chair-elect of the Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF), I thought it would be a good idea to clarify some of the original points from my letter published in the May edition of CMQ, and the reasons I had for leaving the CMF. In so doing I cannot represent the whole Guild, being only a new member myself, but hopefully will come some way to represent a traditional Catholic viewpoint.

Dr. Stammers must be commended for the articles he has written for the CMF, many of which promote the message of abstinence rather than condoms for sexual health promotion. My letter in May’s edition of CMQ was primarily concerned with a desire to preserve Catholic orthodoxy within the Guild. I was using the topic of “Can Condoms Kill?” to illustrate the fact that this is an area where Catholic Orthodoxy is being constantly challenged, indeed so by the author of the letter I was addressing, who has left the Guild partly based on a failure to encourage debate around this issue. I apologise for not giving more credit to the CMF journal, Triple Helix, but wanted to express my gratitude for unwavering Catholic content contained within the CMQ.

I mentioned the CMF in passing, since I have recently resigned from the organisation as a matter of conscience. I appreciate the fact Dr. Stammers wants to promote the organisation to Catholic doctors; that is a noble intention. To this end, perhaps he could use his position within the CMF to address some of the following points (which I have already done at length in writing).

I am pleased that there is such “good relations” between the fellowship and the guild. The quest of ecumenism and religious dialogue can achieve fruits, noticeably in the recent “Care Not Killing” alliance for the opposition of euthanasia. However, this sort of cooperation and dialogue between faith groups doesn’t mean we should necessarily be members of the same organisations and believe the same things. We should of course maintain our respective identities. Most likely the CMF recognises this as a priority, which is why a signed declaration is required before joining: “I am in sympathy with the Aims of the Christian Medical Fellowship. I declare my faith in God the Father and in God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is my Saviour, and in God the Holy Spirit. I accept the Bible as the supreme authority in matters of faith and conduct”. In opposition to the Nicene Creed[2], this declaration adds a new clause to ancient Christian belief: to accept the Bible as the supreme authority. It thus associates itself with Protestantism.

As a Catholic, I am proud to hold the Church as the “pillar and ground of the truth"[3], and humbly submit to her magisterial teachings. To insert a clause like the one above into a membership agreement, actually serves to alienate Catholic Doctors, even if many do not realise it. This is because the principle of Sola Scriptura, which is at work here, is rooted in reformation theology which is in direct opposition to traditional Catholic Christianity.[4]

If any Catholic doctors associated with the CMF are in any doubt as to the stance of this fellowship towards Catholicism, simply read the article entitled “Biblical Authority and Catholic Tradition” available on their website[5] written by Peter Saunders, their general secretary. This displays blatant anti-Catholic sentiment at its most clichéd, and is what can be expected from a christian organisation of an ‘evangelical’ persuasion.

Signed
5^th Year Medical Student
Midlands Branch

---

References

1) CMQ August 2006; Vol LVI; No.3

2) Which is incidentally completely dispensed by CMF in favour of a lengthy “CMFs Christian Beliefs” see http://www.cmf.org.uk/fellowship/about.htm

3) St. Paul; 1 Timothy 3:15

4) condemned by the Council of Trent

5) 1^st June 1997 Click here for link

The Glastonbury story...

A few days ago I reported on some bad press for Youth 2000. I was amused, therefore, to see the Dunadan commenting on it at Cally's Kitchen. This is a really funny post, and goes to show that solid objective reporting is boring next to some straight-talking Catholic no-nonsense polemics! Hats off!

Harvington Hall Requiem

Harvington is an important Catholic landmark, a moated elizabethan and medieval manor house which was owned by a Catholic family, the Pakingtons, who kept the faith alive during the dark years of the 'reformation' by commissioning such craftsmen as St. Nicholas Owen to construct secret priest hides into the structure of the house itself.

We are blessed to have next to this restored house the church of St. Mary's, where Fr. David Higham (the parish priest) says a Tridentine Mass every Tuesday morning at 8am and every first Sunday at 3pm. Today we were delighted to assist at a sung requiem for the deceased members of the Latin Mass Society.

Now, those who avidly read the Mass of Ages will notice that I am the recent addition to their servers at this monthly mass, which I am very honoured to be able to now do. This time I was acolyte, and thank God, didn't mess up too much! Note in the above picture the figure of Cardinal Newman in the brand new stained glass window in the church's porch above the baptism font.

You will notice me on the right, and Fr. Higham in his fine gothic black chausable. The sanctuary is quite crampted due to the alter being removed from the wall, but the wonderful tabernacle and stained-glass windows are, I believe, features of the original church. Fr. Higham has just published a book on the history of Harvington Hall, which I hope to soon purchase.

The sermon was based around the theme of this month, the 'four last things': Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell. Fr. Higham particularly emphased the contrast between liturgical texts from the old and new rites of mass, and that our concept of hell and judgement has diminished, particularly in the way we celebrate requiem masses.

The Neri Singers from Birmingham provided the wonderful accompaniment of Felice Anerio's Requiem, with a motet from Palestrina (De Profundis) and the communion motet was Mendelson's Beati Mortui. It was an incredibly moving mass, the first of which I have experienced. I will certainly keep my LMS card with my organ and blood donor cards in my wallet: to have my own requiem mass said according to the books of 1962!

Réquiem aetérnam dona eis, Dómine: et lux perpétua lúceat eis. In memória aetérna erit justus: ab auditióne mala non timébit.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon them. The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

The next Tridentine Mass at St. Mary's, by Harvington Hall, will be a Sung Mass on 3rd December at 3pm for the first Sunday of Advent!

Catholic Herald and Tridentine Mass

Latin Mass Society Pilgrimage to Walsingham

(used in this article only to illustrate the return
of the Tridentine Rite to the dowry of Mary!
And I don't have any other pictures of the Old Rite being said!)

It was a wonderful surprise to read in this week's Catholic Herald the report that a Mass has been said in the Old Rite in a little chapel attached to the Houses of Parliament! It doesn't seem to be reported widely upon, but Joanna Bogle has written an account on her blog.

It was nice to have some positive spin on the Old Rite in this week's Catholic Herald, which over the past couple of weeks has included several negative remarks. This is, of course, due to the widespread reports of a motu proprio being drafted by the Pope to allow more widespread use of this venerable Rite. The Catholic Herald itself reported on this, October 20th. In the same issue it reprinted an article written by James MacMillan entitled "Bad Music is Destroying the Church." I actually felt compelled to write into the Herald (which I didn't in the end!) being so confused by the stance he takes in his report. On the one hand he laments at the awful 'reform' of the liturgy which took place after Vatican II, primarily due to the banal music which became commonplace:

Cultural vandalism... a destructive iconoclasm which wilfully brought to an end any remnant of its massive choral tradition and its skilful application to liturgical use.

What is odd is the way he then tries to avoid being branded "elitists, reactionaries and Tridentists" by making a sweeping statement which I didn't expect to find from such a reasoned account of recent liturgical history:

Reform [in the 1960s] certainly seems to have been overdue. The pre-conciliar liturgy by all accounts seems to have been a ritualised expression of the moribundity that had so calcified the Church.

What seems odd to me, about this and other "neo-trads" (which term I will subsequently use to describe such an attitude) is that they pigeonhole the music of the Tridentine liturgy as perfect while dismissing so much else. Are these choral masterpieces of Palestrina, Mozart &c really so easily transferred into the new Rite of Mass? Is it conducive to the actuosa participatio which has driven so many of the liturgical reforms? Why do neo-trads fail to make any sort of connection between the form of the mass and the actual Rite itself? I have been to many Solemn High Masses at the Oratory, and seen the extent to which the New Rite of Mass can be 'dressed up' to make it appear closer to the ancient immemorial Tridentine Rite. The proponents of such a style of worship are to be commended on the one hand; that they are trying to level the liturgical innovations by setting them in their traditional context (and making the best of an undesirable situation).

However, on the other hand aren't they just dressing up an ugly Rite to make it look pretty? Being a member of the congregation at such a 'Solemn High Mass' makes one feel slightly like the spectator at a concert. It is inevitable, in that the New Rite forbids any liturgical activity to be happening at the altar whilst the choir/congregation are singing the responses. This leaves the Mass in an embarressing position: In order to incorporate such magnificent, long scores into the liturgy, the whole Sacrifice at the altar is postponed for several minutes. Much of the time the Priest and Servers are made to look, quite frankly, bored - while they sit or stand waiting for the choir's moment of glory to pass.

I may never have noticed this if it weren't for experiencing a Sung Mass in the Old Rite, where the choir acts more as a background to the unfolding drama on the altar, rather than an end unto itself. These original liturgical masterpieces were designed to often accompany the action of the priest; hence their longevity. I don't expect everyone to agree with these points, and there are many other comparisons to make between high masses in either Rite, which I will likely make over the course of this blog.

But back to the story of the Catholic Herald! A week after this brief coverage of the rumoured 'universal indult' the paper was ablaze with snide remarks about the Old Mass. First up, and most relevant, is by a regular columnist: Gerard Noel promises "enough has been said on this topic for nothing more to be remarked here" ..... EXCEPT..... He goes on to make this lengthy point:

The Tridentine Mass is sometimes thought to have age and venerable tradition on its side - as opposed to the form of Mass authorised by Pope Paul VI in 1969. The latter, by contrast, is sometimes supposed to have introduced all sorts of novelties and new ideas. The opposite, in fact, is true. The Tridentine Mass dates from the medieval period when it began to incorporate many novelties unknown to an earlier period - a perfectly acceptable case, of course, of doctrinal development. The modern Mass, on the other hand, is substantially based on the Eucharist of the first Christian centuries.

My goodness. Does anyone expect me to believe the Pauline Missal was discovered during an excavation of a pre-medieval monestary or something? That 'Eucharistic Prayer number 3' wasn't written by an 'expert liturgical commission'? That novelties such as clown masses and consecrated Corn chips is on the same scale as reciting psalm 42 at the foot of the altar? I'm lost for words.

But I have only just started, since the Herald also reported on the uproar by French Bishops, which seems to confuse the whole issue about the liberalising of the Old Mass with the reunion of the SSPX (I would assert that although the two are related they are by no means connected). The article closes with the words of the protesting French priests: "work in the world as it is rather than plunge us back into the liturgical life of another age." Now, I could be wrong, but wasn't the reforms mandated by Vatican II an attempt at 'plunging us back' into the liturgical life of the early Church? Gathering around a table to celebrate the Eucharist? Come on, make up your mind guys!

I expected there to be something about the Old Mass in the letters page; Mr. Chris Feetenby from N. Yorks obliged by pointing out the Old Rite is deficient because it doesn't allow the following provisions (wait for it!):

• Use of the new lectionary of 1970
• Reception of Communion under both kinds
• Reception of the Host in the hand
• Use of lay readers and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist
• The possibility that the celebrant can face the people
• Use of appropriate hymns during Mass

To which I think I would reply: "Good; Good; Good; Good; Good; and don't be silly!!"

An interview with Cardinal Cormac Murphy O'Connor even touches on the rumour of a universal indult. To which His Eminence answers,

The liturgical renewal that began at the Second Vatican Council won't change. What Pope Benedict thinks with regard to the Latin Mass is that he fears that a particular tradition will go out the window... I don't think there's any question of "going back."

Liturgical renewal won't change? But isn't it always changing? In many parishes I've been to, the Mass seems to change week-on-week. But seriously, I hope the Pauline Missal won't retain the same power and authority the Tridentine Missal did: I cannot bear the idea of my distant descendants joining the Church in saying "through your goodness we have this bread to offer" for the next 400 years until another 'renewal' happens. By that time the 'People of God' will have lost all interest, and there will be nothing left to reform.

Well, all this came at a time when my subscription to the Herald was up for renewal.... (Hmmm.... there's that word again!) But regular traditionalist readers of this esteemed conservative newspaper will be happy to know that in this week's issue there is also a wonderful article reproduced from Eamon Duffy's address at CIEL UK 2006 entitled "Benedict XVI's mission to restore the glories of the Catholic liturgy." It is a wonderful read and really makes me want to purchase a copy of "The Spirit of the Liturgy" by our wonderful Holy Father, the then-Cardinal Ratzinger! We have a lot to look forward to in this papacy, and its going to be quite a ride!

Hallowe'en Horrors at Glastonbury

This time last year, I attended my first Youth 2000 prayer festival (I hasten to use the word 'retreat') at Glastonbury. Perhaps I will write more on Youth 2000 another time, but for a good account of the Glastonbury 2005 weekend, see here. My experience with Youth 2000 was fleeting, but had the desired effect of affirming me in my faith and encouraging me as a young Catholic, at odds with those around me! I have much praise for the organisation, despite not enjoying their charismatic style of worship.

Therefore it was with deep regret to learn of the disruption which happened at this year's Glastonbury prayer festival, as reported in The Times, The Guardian and even The Sun. It is tempting to get preoccupied with the fact that Glastonbury is such a Pagan town, when reminded of its great Christian heritage, but that is no excuse to assault Pagans. It is annoying, on such processions, that bystanders will occasionally mock and taunt us - but that is no reason to abuse and reciprocate that hatred.

It is impossible for me to report what happened either way, since I was not present. But I can reproduce Youth 2000's official statement on the matter:

On 27-29 October, around 300 young Catholic adults from across the country gathered for a peaceful, prayerful retreat in Glastonbury, Somerset. It was a moving event and it helped many of them revive their spiritual lives in quiet meditation.

There have been some reports in the media, however, of incidents of harassment involving some people connected to the retreat. Youth 2000 is sensitive to the feelings of the local community and hopes that any issues can be ironed out. However, we would like to set out some of the facts, both about the retreat itself and the nature of our initiative.

• Firstly, Youth 2000 does not have ‘members’ – it runs retreats all around the country that are open to all young people aged 16-35. Although we do all we can to encourage a peaceful, prayerful spirit, the behaviour of particular individuals that arrive for a retreat is not under our direct control.
• Nor is Youth 2000 a hard-line fringe group, as suggested in some reports. As a registered charity that operates within the Catholic Church, we have worked alongside parishes and dioceses for the past 16 years - with the co-operation of many bishops and youth officers. Since 1991, we have quietly run 176 retreats – without these kind of problems.
• We are saddened to hear some people felt offended and are deeply sorry for any distress that may have been caused to people in the local community by thoughtless individuals who do not represent our spirit of peaceful prayer.
• We are aware that in the past, some people have been uncomfortable with Youth 2000’s procession around the town of Glastonbury, which is a feature of the retreat. It shouldn’t be a problem for us to hold such a procession – but the people who live or work there do have the right to be free from any kind of harassment. Therefore, twice during the retreat, we emphasised that as guests in the community, those present needed to be sensitive to other people’s feelings and that the walk was to be completely peaceful and non-confrontational. The procession was held with the full co-operation of the local police.
• The vast majority of the retreat took place in the church and on the Tor, away from the town centre and its shops.
• There were several incidents that happened that same weekend that were linked to people who had come to Glastonbury for the retreat. One involved an abusive exchange of words in a local shop, which the owner found offensive and led to police intervention. Because of this, the person involved in this was not allowed to register at our retreat. Another involved directing blessed salt at some pagans witnessing the procession.
• Youth 2000 does not condone or encourage this kind of behaviour from anyone. We fully agree that differences on matters of faith cannot and should not be resolved by any kind of harassment.
• That said, we need to remember that there are two sides to every story. Youth 2000 is concerned that young people at the retreat were harassed, sworn at and even cursed by people present in the town at the time.
• The outcome of these events is that Youth 2000 will not be running a festival in Glastonbury next year. Due to these isolated incidents, some people in the local community have formed a wrong impression of the initiative. We agree, therefore, that it is for the best that we do not run a retreat in Glastonbury from now on.

One in the Oven!

Mac McLernon over at Mulier Fortis has taken an interest in my wife's pregnancy! Therefore I thought it high time I posted some pictures of the fantastic situation! We've had both 10 week and 21 week ultrasound scans, and here is a copy of the latter:

At this point it was affirmed that we are expecting a little girl! Wow! So we've already started calling her Madeleine. The baby girl clothes are also accumulating (lets hope the radiographers were right!!)

My wife, Wendy, is doing great and is really enjoying pregnancy (although it seems to exclude baltis at the moment, which cause acid indigestion). Here is a pic which she has agreed to show the blogging world:

This was taken at her sister's wedding, where she was maid of honour, 2 months ago. I'm afraid I will have to upload the camera to get a more recent 'bump shot', which I can't be bothered to at the moment!

Please pray for a healthy pregnancy and that we both receive the necessary grace to be good parents!

O almighty and everlasting God, through the Holy Spirit, you prepared the body and soul of the glorious virgin Mary to be a worthy dwelling place of your divine Son. Through the same Holy Spirit, you sanctified St. John the Baptist, while still in his mother's womb. Hear the prayers of your humble servant who implores you, through the intercession of St. Gerard, to protect Wendy amid the dangers of childbearing and to watch over the child with which you blessed us. May this child be cleansed by the saving water of baptism and, after a Christian life on earth, may we, both father, mother and child, attain everlasting bliss in heaven. Amen.

All Souls

Today is the important feast of All Souls, intimately linked to yesterday's All Saints. I have not been to mass to observe this feast, but said today's Vespers.

What occurs to me today is the often criticised uncertainty we Catholics have about the eternal fate of each of our souls. The few people I have known died, mainly within my family, have certainly not died in the strict criteria of "in a state of Grace". This is not something which continually troubles me; it is important to be humbled by the thought that none of us are assured of eternal salvation, but must commit our lives into God's merciful goodness. This is why we approach the Sacraments as often as we can, to immerse ourselves in Christ's saving action which opens heaven up to us, redeeming humanity and sanctifying it.

There are several people I have prayed for today, but would like to share particularly my older brother Damian. He died in 1997 at the age of 20, and suffered a lot as he battled to live with a congenital heart disease. Here is a picture of him with my younger brother, not long before he died. He was a real inspiration for those who knew him because of his humility and determination, as well as strong personality, sense of humour, and intelligence. He died whilst studying at St. Benet's Hall in Oxford, but alas didn't share the faith with the monks living there. It is hard for me to know just where Damian stood with God when he died, but I am certain that his soul is worth praying for.

R.I.P. Damian Coghlan

1st February 1997 - 16th October 1997

O God, the Creator and Redeemer of all the faithful, grant to the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids the remission of all their sins, that through our devout prayers they may obtain the pardon which they have always desired. (Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.)

Réquiem aetérnam dona eis, Dómine.

Et lux perpétua lúceat eis.

Requiéscant in pace.

Amen.

Rosary Crusade of Reparation

I found this great site by Andrew Cusack, with an excellent compilation of the photos from the Rosary crusade, which took place on 14th October in London. The odd photo is actually by me (credited of course)!

For more of my photos see Joee Blogs! It was a great day and there was lots of grace flowing, I'm sure. Fr. Tim Finigan's sermon was truly inspirational and I am glad that he has posted it on his wonderful blog.

Speaking of my photos being published; readers of the Latin Mass Society's magazine, Mass of Ages will see one of my photos from the Walsingham pilgrimage printed in the latest November 2006 issue, in the article about the African priest, Fr Maxime Dogbo, on page 21. There is also a mention of me altar serving in the same issue on page 30, would you believe it! There is a picture of Fr. David Higham on the opposite page from the Harvington Hall Mass, which is the one I serve at.

A Brush with Ecumenism

God must be having a laugh. I was in the medical school today, quietly eating my lunch in an equally quiet common room. Gradually it began to fill up with medical students (little whipper-snappers compared to my veteran 6 years at the place) and I even got chatting with a Catholic girl from the chaplaincy.

After a short while, and a full common room, someone stood up and announced, "Let's get started everyone!" Without realising it, I was in the middle of a Christian Union (CMF) bible meeting! There were certainly lots of people there, I was quite impressed. They were even encouraging people to attend an 8am prayer group; this morning attended by eight people! It made me think: how I'd planned to get to an 8am mass this morning, but failed due to my idleness... and that was to prospectively receive Christ's body, blood, soul and divinity! How ungrateful I am.

I ended up staying; first to finish my lunch, then to get the dusty bible out of my bag and go through some verses on "peace". I was disappointed to see they didn't include my personal favourite saying of Jesus on peace, from St. Matthew's Gospel, Chapter 10 verses 34-35:

Do not think that I came to send peace upon earth: I came not to send peace, but the sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

I put this forward to the group and learned that the BBC have recently used it out of context (why does that not surprise me?). This is what the Douay-Rheims bible tells us:

Not that this was the end or design of the coming of our Saviour; but that his coming and his doctrine would have this effect, by reason of the obstinate resistance that many would make, and of their persecuting all such as should adhere to him.

I am always impressed with the way this edition of the bible succinctly sets verses in context, especially Old Testament ones. Our discussion was interesting, but on reflection I realised that I was picking my words and being careful not to give the game away that I was Catholic! This is a terrible thing, and I fear it's what often happens with ecumenism. To 'get along', we Catholics are pressured to take our religion down to the lowest common denominator and forget those beautiful things which make our faith so rich and vibrant.

Have my remarks about the CMF come back to haunt me? Is God trying to tell me something?

St. Joseph, pray for me and our seperated brethren!