The Chastisement of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI) - Part 2

As noted in my earlier article, Rorate-Caeli has been doing an excellent job tracking the developments within the reorganization of the Franciscans Friars of the Immaculate (FFI).

From the Pope's recent admonition to obey the cooperate with the commissioner (Fr. Volpi)

To highlighting Father Manelli's report to the FFI that diagnoses the malaise within the Church, leading to some conclusions that are remarkably similar to those of Archbishop Lefebvre and the SSPX.

To Antonio Socci's and Sandro Magister's latest analyses on the manner in which the FFI are being dealt with by the Vatican.

Finally, we have this related piece concerning the cessation of TLM in the church under the care of the FFI in Rome.



Mr Socci's conclusion bears comment.

I believe that their destruction will damage the present Pope greatly. As it annihilates a precious charisma for the Church and it will bring grist to the mill of the “Lefebvrians” who have attacked Bergoglio publically. Now the “Lefebvrians” can say: “See, in Francis’ Church there is room for everyone, except for Catholics.” -Antonio Socci

Concerning Mr. Socci's last sentence, I think that the SSPX has always been aware the there is no 'room' in the 'big tent' for them.  That's why they are in a canonically irregular state.

At the root of this chastisement of the FFI is an belief that at least some of them hold in common with the SSPX. They appear to have questioned two fundamental assumptions related to the Second Vatican Council and the liturgical reform (most notably the Novus Ordo Missae) that emanated from it.

This is evident since the vow that is being foisted upon them is, in substance, that which Bishop Fellay refused in 2012 as being a compromise.

"...candidates for Orders who are presently in formation must personally subscribe to a formal acceptance of:

• the Novus Ordo as an authentic expression of the liturgical tradition of the Church and therefore of Franciscan tradition (without prejudice to the what is permitted by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, once the current disciplinary decree of veto, ad hoc and ad tempus, is revoked for the Institute), and

• the documents of the Second Vatican Council, in accordance with the authority accorded them by the Magisterium."

What cultural assumptions are being challenged by the FFI and by extension the SSPX?

1. That the Novus Ordo Missae is an legitimate development of the liturgical tradition of the Church.
2. That the documents of the Second Vatican Council do not contradict prior magisterium.

At the beginning of the chastisement, what action was taken liturgically: The suppression of the Tridentine Mass.  

The Tridentine Mass is, in organizational culture terms, an artifact.  It is an expression of fundamental assumptions (theology) that are buried beneath the surface.

What aspect of pre-conciliar theology could possibly be conflicting with the current, I would say alien, culture within the Church?

I think that the answer is contained in one word: Ecumenism.

Since the Council what doctrines are inconvenient to express and are therefore not expressed?

The first one that comes to mind is that the Church of Christ is the one and only True Religion.

That could put a damper on inter-religious relations.

P^3