GYRATIONS IN CHURCH AS CONTROVERSIES ERUPT (includes letter from Fr. Altier)

There seems to be sudden jockeying in various corners of Catholicism as the faithful wait to see where exactly Pope Benedict XVI will settle when it has to do with 'liberal" and "conservative" interpretations of liturgical norms.

Was the pope, as Cardinal Ratzinger, as tough as many believe, or was he operating more at the behest of John Paul than previously recognized?

That's the question of the hour: how far the Pope, widely described as a liberal before Vatican II, but stringently orthodox since, will keep to the conservative strictures for which he was famous as prefect for the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. His actions will serve as guidance from the Holy Spirit.

As this is being mulled, there have been gyrations at both ends of the spectrum.

One such eruption has occurred in the wake of a reprimand issued by Benedict XVI on January 12 to a group called the Neocatechumenal Way, which sits around a table during Mass and partakes of Communion in that position. The Pope has asked them to alter that practice, conform to Eucharistic norms, and connect more directly with local church communities.

In a very respectful letter back, leaders of Neocatechumenal Way have defended the unusual practice and may not yet have changed the way they receive. "Communion continues to be given seated, as at a banquet," complains a conservative Catholic news site located in Italy. "This is the upshot of [the] letter that the heads of the Way have written to Benedict XVI."

While in that case the Pope appeared to be in line with his tough conservative reputation, liberals have spotted what they see as an opportunity in the Pope's recent encyclical on love and his tolerant approach to dissenting theologian Hans Kung. "Anxiety about the Pope --- on the right," is the headline on a recent article by Father Richard P. Mc Brien, a staunch liberal at the University of Notre Dame.

But as yet there is no reason to believe that Pope Benedict will be less conservative than his mentor, John Paul II. Still, there is a shuffle to gain position -- and what may be a surge in the conflict between liberal and conservative factions -- while perceptions of Benedict remain in a formative stage.

The key worry of conservatives is over devotional practices. In the Archdiocese of Detroit is angst over a tightening of protocol for Adoration and Perpetual Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament -- so tight that there are fears it will all but strangle such devotion; such already has occurred in the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Florida.

In other dioceses has been a very similar move to restrict the Blessed Sacrament. One in Upstate New York wanted Adoration only in a single central location. In other cases, shrines have begun to restrict it, often because there are not enough adorers and the Blessed Sacrament is not supposed to be left unattended. In the case of Detroit, round-the-clock Adoration soon may soon be limited to religious communities (although we are not yet free to reveal the full details).

Meanwhile, in Orange, California, are claims that parishioners have besmirched authorities in a struggle over liturgical norms. This came to a head after those disagreeing when parishioners should or should not kneel were accused by the diocese of spreading false accusations against priests and the bishop. The jockeying is between authorities and traditionalists, and the hotspot is a parish in Huntington Beach called St. Mary by the Sea.

"The reason for this is that all the current liturgical norms of the Diocese and of the U.S. are officially recognized and allowed by Rome," states a recent copy of the parish bulletin. "Furthermore [a local priest] was allowed only to have the Tridentine Mass here at St. Mary's with its own norms: Communion by tongue, with one species, no sign of peace, kneeling after "Agnus Det'l Lamb of God... that some parishioners here name that 'traditions' of St. Mary's. Besides, [the priest] allowed other liturgical practice/norms belonging to the Tridentine Mass to be applied to other Masses of Vatican II, including the Novus Ordo Mass: that is not correct."

"For this reason, if you are forgetful in obeying these norms, it is tolerable," warned the bulletin. "But if you intentionally oppose these liturgical norms, particularly by not standing after the 'Lamb of God' and at the 'Final Blessing,' either as individuals or as a group, it is totally wrong and a serious matter/sin: intentional disobedience not simply to the local Bishop, but also to Rome, and ultimately to God."

The blogs have complained loudly at the actions. At least one parishioner has been asked to leave the church -- and the diocese.

This is simply to report on trends at the same time that we urge obedience. In no case should a bishop be disobeyed. In most cases, actions are taken only after long and often tortuous deliberation.

Last week, the hot button issue was a priest who is especially well-known in parts of the Midwest, where his strongly orthodox views were often broadcast over a network of stations called Relevant Radio and also on a weekly radio program, "As the Spirit Leads," in Philadelphia. A website, "A Voice in the Desert," operated by parishioners, placed his homilies -- rich in traditional viewpoints, as well as prophetic interpretations -- on the internet.

Father Altier in the sanctuary of Saint Agnes

But Archbishop Harry J. Flynn of Minneapolis has halted his radio and internet presence [see homilies], limiting him to the vastly smaller audience of local Mass-goers at the Church of St. Agnes in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Father Altier tends to the six a.m. Mass [see previous article].

It remains unclear exactly why Father Altier was removed. Neither the archbishop nor the priest has released the letter. There is no reason to believe that the action pertains to any issue of abuse, which has led to so many other actions. But there are times when the priest has openly criticized bishops, has cited widespread homosexuality among fellow priests, has complained about a lack of deliverance ministry, and has been especially opposed to a sex-education program okayed by Catholic authorities.

The dispute takes place in a diocese that is known both as one of the nation's most liberal ones and yet home to the country's most strident traditionalist newspaper.

In a statement issued to Spirit Daily, the priest writes: "Praised be Jesus Christ! The people who take care of the Desert Voice website informed me of your interest in the case in which I am involved with Archbishop Flynn. It is certainly fine with me if you want to write something about it, but there really does not seem to be much of a story, on the surface, to write. The fact that this thing has taken on a life of its own with no help from anyone in particular should tell you that it is really not about me at all. Rather, it is about something much larger than me.

"Beyond that, I really do not have much to say other than what was said of the Apostles 2000 years ago, i.e., that they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [Acts 5:41]. All of this is part of God’s loving providence and He will bring about a greater good from this than any of us can ask or imagine. Can you think of a better way to live out the Lenten observance?

"Regarding the letter from the Archbishop, I will not release it to anyone. This is done solely out of respect for the Archbishop. He did not request that I not release the letter; it is my decision to act in this manner out of respect for his Excellency.

"The Archbishop acted within the bounds of his jurisdictional rights (canon 831 §2) and I simply have to obey. The rest is up to our Lord and Our Lady. It is so wonderful because I am at peace and filled with joy knowing that through obedience I am doing the will of God.

"Who could ask for anything more in this world than to know with certainty the will of God for you at any given moment and to be able to live it out in peace and joy? The whole thing is a pure gift from God. This is my take on the whole situation, but as I mentioned above, this cannot possibly be about me. I am merely an instrument that God is using for a much larger purpose. So, if you want to write an article, you really do need to look at what God is doing here."

"We'll let the Holy Spirit do that; we'll urge obedience (above sacrifice); and we'll leave it to your own discernment."

The case once more points up the increasingly open face-off between liberals and conservatives, as well as conservatives and ecclesiastic authorities. The time has come to wait for further Vatican guidance and patiently listen to each other, avoiding disunity. Inquiries have been made for more information, if prudent, from the archdiocese.

Meanwhile, e-mails generated by the situation have been as fierce as they have been numerous. While most have supported the priest, a number have attacked him.

"Please do not divide the people of God further by presenting only one side of this story," said one. "Archbishop Harry Flynn has respected the seal of this private matter and has not made public his reasons in respect of Father Altier's privacy. I read your page every day and know you will present a fair picture of what is happening, yet this is impossible for you to do without all the facts."

Indeed, facts behind the action remain scarce. But Archdiocesan spokesman, Dennis McGrath confirmed to Lifesite News that the silencing is not for any impropriety. “Father Altier is an honored priest, and has not committed any improprieties.” McGrath added that Archbishop Flynn will not discuss the issue publicly because it is a “personnel matter, but I surmise that Father Altier's contrarian position on Virtus [the sex-education plan] is the issue.”

"Believe me, there is ample reason for what the Archbishop is doing and I doubt disobedience is ever really a good thing in relation to the Church," wrote another e-mailer.

"It may well be that Bishop Flynn agrees with some of what this priest has been saying, but maybe does not agree with the way that it is being said," added Randal S. Coleman of Lafayette, Louisiana. "There may be reasons which he is not willing to state out of charity and matters of confidentiality. All-in-all, I was disappointed in the way that Bishop Flynn was portrayed. It is important to often recognize that there are many, many bishops who are carrying tremendous burdens, with great love, in silence, all for the glory of God in the service of His Church."

Previously, Archbishop Flynn was in the news in December 2004 when he said that he had Vatican approval to welcome a homosexual activist group called "Rainbow Sash" to receive Communion in St. Paul Cathedral during their protests against Church teaching on homosexuality. Archbishop Flynn was included in a list of prelates who were personally thanked by the Rainbow Sash movement. Father Altier has been outspoken against homosexuals, including those in his own diocese.

But, again: exactly what has occurred will not be known until there is more extensive official comment or one of the parties releases the letter. For now -- as with the other controversies -- it is best placed on a shelf while we listen to the Vatican and pay closest attention during Lent to our own spirituality.

**"Beyond that, I really do not have much to say other than what was said of the Apostles 2000 years ago, i.e., that they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [Acts 5:41]. All of this is part of God’s loving providence and He will bring about a greater good from this than any of us can ask or imagine. Can you think of a better way to live out the Lenten observance?**

What a holy man and humble man Father Altier is. I don't know if I could say and do what he is saying and doing. Another lesson from him to us! May God bless him abundantly.

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