The Bishop's Weekly Column from the Parish Bulletin

OUR LADY OF FATIMA

CATHOLIC CHURCH

Is the Tridentine Mass set to Reappear ?

October 11, 2006

On the feast of the Divine Maternity of Our Lady, all major news outlets in Europe are awash with the news that Pope Benedict XVI has signed legislation (or in the case of Italian media has yet to sign it.) Based on numerous private sources and Roman contacts, I am lead to understand that the document was already signed in September, the question concerns only the publication of the text which according to Italian sources is set for next week.

French Source here: http://www.croire.com/article/index.jsp?docId=2283101&rubId=188

British Source here: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2397919,00.html

Italian Sources here:

http://www.ilgiornale.it/a.pic1?ID=125241

http://www.lastampa.it/redazione/cmsSezioni/cronache/200610articoli/11957girata.asp

http://www.repubblica.it/news/ired/ultimora/2006/rep_nazionale_n_1805826.html?ref=hpsbdx

http://www.estense.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=12086&format=html

http://lanazione.quotidiano.net/chan/cronaca:5440026:/2006/10/11:

http://ilgiorno.quotidiano.net/art/2006/10/11/5440045

Just what exactly is going on ? The softening up of resistance. Rome is increasingly media-savvy and using leaks to get the Church at large ready for what will be a major upheaval. One report suggests the permission will go into effect the first Sunday of Advent which is highly symbolic since 37 years ago on that day the New Mass was introduced (supposedly) abrogating the Tridentine Mass in 1969.

Evidently much pastoral solicitude for the rightful aspirations of those attached to the previous liturgical discipline will be needed by the diocesan authorities around the world. Cardinal Ricard called upon his new rite clergy recently to welcome the Traditionalists in his Archdiocese in the spirit of "Charity and truth" that Pope Benedict regularized with the Church on September 8th of this year.

As Catholics of either the new rite or the old rite I believe we all have much soul-searching and praying to do as the walls of opposition must now come tumbling down allowing for a serious search for the quest for unity so energetically willed by Our Lord in the Priestly Prayer at the Last Supper. (c/f John Ch. 17).

+TF