Posted on 09/21/2013 5:00:21 AM PDT by markomalley
In the Big Interview, Francis said in response to a question about the Second Vatican Council something about the Vetus Ordo, the older Mass, the Extraordinary Form. Ill cut to the chase for those of you who only read the title of the post or the first paragraph and then run to the combox: This is Francis strongest affirmation to date of Summorum Pontificum. It is an affirmation.What did Francis say about the Vetus Ordo? My emphases:
Lets drill. Ill write more about prudenziale elsewhere. Note the phrase Its fruits are enormous. Just recall the liturgy. First, Benedict XVI made a similar point in his last days as Pope in his talk to the clergy of Rome. HERE So, Francis echoes Benedict. Reading Francis through Benedict. AGAIN. Other people are starting to figure this out too, by the way. Of course, we can debate the fruits, cant we. They are not at least to me always and everywhere immediately apparent. Next, the phrase, I think the decision of Pope Benedict was prudent. This is Francis strongest affirmation to date of Summorum Pontificum. It is an affirmation. Next, the risk of the ideologization of the Vetus Ordo, its exploitation. What could this mean? I have no idea what this means. It could mean something like: The Vetus Ordo is the only valid Mass. But if that is the case, who are those people? Even SSPXers, who dont like the Novus Ordo, will admit that it is valid. So, the number of people who would say that are minimal. Big deal. And he knows that. It could mean that the use of the Vetus Ordo might divide communities. Could he have in mind Friars of the Immaculate? Probably not. But if he mean division then why didnt he say division? Exploitation sounds like a political category, doesnt it? Is there somewhere in the world where older form of Mass is linked to a political party? Political action? If it were, you would think it would be in S. America and probably France. Would the group Tradition, Family, Property be seen to be political by Francis? Some other group? Lets also consider those with whom Bergoglio might tie the older form of Mass. He was from Buenos Aires. A few miles south of Buenos Aires is the SSPX seminary where former SSPX Bishop and holocaust denier Richard Williamson was rector from 2003 to 2009 when the government of Argentina expelled him. If when Francis thinks about those who embrace the older Mass the image of Williamson pops into his head, then well . But, these groups would be really small, right. Who is exploiting the Vetus Ordo? Who? Why would Francis spend time worrying about them? I submit that he doesnt worry about them and that he is not going to suspend the provisions of Summorum Pontificum, with which agrees. Furthermore, it may be that this statement is so hard to parse because Francis himself doesnt have a clear notion of issue. He probably hasnt given it much thought. I conclude that, since there is not any real risk of ideologization or exploitation whatever that means of the older Mass theres no real problem here. What Francis said is in harmony with what Benedict and did. Finally, no matter what Those of you who are interested in obtaining and keeping the older form of the Mass and sacraments had better pay close attention to what Francis is saying. He is asking for a joyful, compassionate face on the Church for the world. That means YOU, friends. We have the provisions of Summorum Pontificum, which is a huge advantage. We have the message and style of Pope Francis to take as a cue, which is a huge advantage. I am reminded of the stern words of the Franciscan friar after Romeo kills Tybalt (R&J III,iii):
Maybe we can learn some lessons from that sad famous story about how not to act in these times of seeming civil strife in our fair Church, where we lay our scene. |
“Its fruits are enormous. Just recall the liturgy. The work of liturgical reform has been a service to the people as a re-reading of the Gospel from a concrete historical situation. Yes, there are hermeneutics of continuity and discontinuity, but one thing is clear: the dynamic of reading the Gospel, actualizing its message for todaywhich was typical of Vatican IIis absolutely irreversible”
This is the language of someone who really wants to sound profound and intellectual but really isn’t. It’s mental mush, warmed over semantics with a dash buzz words.
“...Vatican II produced a renewal movement...”
The so called renewal movement did not renew. The fruits in my diocese (Albany) were and are rotten.
.....mental mush...”
“heremenuetics of continuinnty and discontiunty..”
the Gospel does not mince words
Someone is writing for him... perhaps
Read Father Malachy Martin and weep
To All,
Read AA 1025 Memoirs
The Church is in serious danger...
Bad fruit, not good.
**He is asking for a joyful, compassionate face on the Church for the world. That means YOU, friends.**
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