More info about that "sub secreto" meeting

Gerard O'Connell of UCANews.com reports:

He moved decisively in that direction late June 27 afternoon when he spoke to cardinals and bishops from 14 countries and seven bishops' conferences at a meeting held sub secreto (under secrecy) in the Vatican. He told them that his Motu Proprio will allow broader use of the missal promulgated by Pope John XXIII, which actually is a revised version of the Pius V Missal of 1570.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the secretary of state, convened the gathering aware that several episcopal conferences strongly oppose reinstating the Tridentine Mass on a wider scale. The cardinal invited representatives of some bishops' conferences and a small number of other bishops who favor the return of the old rite to attend.

Almost half the participants came from Europe: two each from Italy and France, and one each from Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Also attending were two from the United States, two from Africa and one from Asia. The Asian participant was Cardinal Telesphore Toppo of Ranchi, India, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India.

Though nearly half the world's Catholics live in Latin American, the only representative from that region at the meeting was Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, 77, president of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei."

The commission, which Pope John Paul II set up in 1988 to reconcile members of the Saint Pius X Society and the pope, strongly advocates reinstating the Pius V Missal, as John XXIII updated and revised it, to foster reconciliation.

The society's founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, went into schism in 1988 by ordaining four members of his society as bishops without papal approval.

Besides getting a copy of the Motu Proprio, participants received a letter Pope Benedict wrote to explain why he is issuing the decree. Some participants admitted it was hard to understand the Motu Proprio because it is in Latin.

And:

All participants expressed their views at the meeting. Some saw the Motu Proprio as an expression of "pastoral charity," or a strong affirmation of "diversity in unity." By the end of the meeting, most indicated their basic acceptance of the text, but a few, like the French, still had reservations.

Comments

[Deacon Harold]

The French bishops have "reservations"? Do Catholics still go to Mass in France? From what I hear, their beautiful churches are empty. It is my prayer that this wider use of the Pius V Missal will bring many Catholics (not just the French or other Europeans) back to the Eucharist.

[finegan]

From the sounds of this meeting, I starting to think the main purpose of the Motu Proprio is to either: A. Cement an agreement for reconciliation that's already in the works with SSPX, or B. Lure the SSPX into accepting a reconciliation they've resisted to date.

Why all the focus on SSPX? I thought the Pope was restoring the TLM as an act of generosity to the faithful? To me, this whole thing has political overtones.

[Carl Olson]

Why all the focus on SSPX? I thought the Pope was restoring the TLM as an act of generosity to the faithful? To me, this whole thing has political overtones.

Ratzinger/Benedict's writings make it very clear that he doesn't do things for political reasons. Let's wait and see what the document says and be cautious about accepting the interpretations and explanations of reporters and pundits (including those on this blog) over the actual words of the Holy Father.

[finegan]

Dear Carl,

We'll see. In the meantime, I think it's obvious this MP has multiple purposes -- some pastoral, some "political." That's the way things usually work in Rome.

[Carl Olson]

some pastoral, some "political."

I'd need to see your definition of "political." Is it "political" to desire that schismatics return to communion with the Church? Is it possible for more than one worthy goal to be accomplished by this MP? I think so.

[finegan]

In this case, I am referring to "Church politics" -- not "secular politics." There are many liberal Churchmen who would like to see the traditional movement marginalized. By bringing the SSPX into tow, the Mo

In this case, I am referring to "church politics" -- not secular politics. There are plenty of liberal churchmen who would like to see the traditional movement (including the SSPX) marginalized. I call that a political motive -- not a pastoral one.

As far as "schismatics returning to communion with Rome," I'm all for it -- just as long we hold those on the liberal side to a similar standard. I think the Pope is moving in that direction (as he drags many of the "progressive" Cardinals and Bishops behind him!)

[Jackson]

"I think it's obvious this MP has multiple purposes -- some pastoral, some 'political.'"

finegan, don't prudence, charity, temperance, justice, and wisdom demand that you wait until you actually read it before you form any conclusions about it?

[finegan]

Jackson,

I have formed no conclusions about the Motu Proprio itself, only those in high places in the Vatican apparatus. I believe the Pope is an honest man, fighting an uphill battle against the forces of modernism and apostacy. To assume he might have to compromise on the implementation of the MP is no real criticism; rather, I am looking at the reality of the situation. The Pope could have one purpose for the Motu Proprio, but the dissenting Cardinals and Bishops might see another.

Don't assume the worst from my comments -- rather, keep a watchful eye on events. After all, Pope Benedict himself seemed surprised (and disappointed) at how some VII reforms played out. Is it unreasonable to assume the same again??

[Tom]

What's wrong with politics, even Church politics? Seems like that's how people get things done.

[Deacon Harold]

I know that we are only a few days away from the promulgation of the Motu Proprio, but I thought the following piece might be helpful in light of the discussion regarding the "political" and/or "pastoral" nature of the Holy Father's motives in allowing a wider use of the pre-conciliar rite.

Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, addressed the bishops on the pre-conciliar Liturgy recently in Brazil. Here is an excerpt of his comments found in the Adoremus Bulletin (http://www.adoremus.org/):

"The cardinal described the efforts of the Ecclesia Dei Commission as, most importantly, 'the search for an end to the schismatic action [of followers of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre], and to rebuild the full communion, without ambiguities'.

“'The Holy Father, who was for some years a member of this Commission, wishes it to become an organ of the Holy See with the proper and distinct end of preserving and maintaining the worth of the Traditional Latin Liturgy', he told the bishops. 'Yet it must be said with all clarity that it is not a turning back, a return to the time before the 1970 reform. It is, instead, a generous offer of the Vicar of Christ who, as an expression of his pastoral will, wishes to put at the disposal of the whole Church all the treasures of the Latin Liturgy which for centuries has nourished the spiritual life of so many generations of Catholic faithful'.

"Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos stressed that '[t]he Holy Father wishes to preserve the immense spiritual, cultural, and aesthetic treasures linked to the Ancient Liturgy. The retrieval of this wealth is linked to the no less precious one of the current Liturgy of the Church'.

"He continued, 'For these reasons, the Holy Father has the intention of extending to the entire Latin Church the possibility of celebrating Holy Mass and the Sacraments according to the liturgical books promulgated by Blessed John XXIII in 1962. There is today a new and renewed interest in this Liturgy, which has never been abolished and which, as we have said, is considered a treasure, and because of this the Holy Father believes that the time has come to ease, as the first Cardinalatial Commission of 1986 had wished to do, the access to this Liturgy, making it an extraordinary form of the one Roman Rite'”.

[Ed Peters]

I wish I knew what "sub secreto" meant.

[Carl Olson]

I wish I knew what "sub secreto" meant.

Me too. But it's a closely guarded Vatican secret.

[Robert Miller]

This motu proprio is ex corde ecclesia.

It is not a mere sop to schismatics or sentimentalists. It will be inspiration for the young, not consolation for the old.

This motu proprio will be the defining moment of this Pontificate. The "Tridentine" will begin to "inform" the Novus Ordo in a manner unanticipated by the Council Fathers, because they accepted the Missal of Pope John XXIII as normative.

Pope Benedict XVI is most vigorously "reforming the reform" on all fronts. I love John Paul II, but I must say I feel that Benedict XVI is the true lineal successor of Pope (St.?) Pius XII. (My guess is, Benedict would agree. Pius XII understood the German mid-twentieth century predicament better than anyone else, and did his best to ameliorate it)).

Viva il Papa! Viva Cristo Rey!

[Mike]

I agree we should treat this MP carefully. Many Catholics have not witnessed the Tridentine mass and this has the potential to turn away as many as it brings in. The evangelical churches are full of Catholics who yearn for a worship service that connects to their daily lives. I certainly recognize that the holy eucharist is so much more than that, but in the parishes I've lived in, it is a small but vocal minority that even wants the Tridentine mass.

[Vi Rose]

Viva el Papa!!!

[Helen]

Yes, maybe the Tridentine Mass will "turn away as many as it brings in," but I remember an interview I saw on EWTN the day Benedict was elected. The interview was by Raymond Arroyo of the then Cardinal Ratzinger. Cardinal Ratzinger unequivocally said in that interview that if people turned away from the Church because of its teachings, then so be it - we would start over if necessary from a storefront with 12 people, as Jesus had. I think that's the key to reform. It's time for the Church to stand firm. The people remaining after a firm stand is taken would be true believers - the truly aithful. It is one thing to reach out to attract new members, but quite another to water things down for that purpose. As for the Tridentine MAss, I personally like it but can understnad the problem for people unfamiliar with it or with Latin. However, it should certainly at least be encouraged, and the current form of the MAss, which is actually less beautiful and meaningful than the Anglican and Lutheran liturgies, should be scrapped. Mass is not some pop concert or some feel-good pat-on-the-back experience. It's a renewal and remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ. The Mass - and its music - shouldn't be of the world. It should be different, should be removed from everyday life. All the garbage that passes for music doesn't attract young people, anyway; at least it doesn't hold them. Believe it or not, young people need structure and need something to hold on to and something to guide them in a badly screwed-up world.

Helen