The Chastisement of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate (FFI)

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?

That the Novus Ordo Missae is an legitimate development of the liturgical tradition of the Church.
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

Comments

The myth of the Hermeneutic of Continuity - Rorate Caeli

+ JMJ Interestingly the complete acceptance of the Second Vatican Council (without reservations) is required of the SSPX. Just when people are starting to wonder how it came to this! Courtesy of Rorate Caeli P^3

A Look Back: Archbishop Lefebvre’s Prophetic Address to The Remnant, 1976

+ JMJ Looking back is important to understand why we are where we are in this crisis. Courtesy of RemnantNewsPaper P^3 FOR THE FIRST TIME ONLINE: Archbishop Lefebvre’s Prophetic Address to The Remnant, 1976 Written by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre Introduction by Michael J. Matt More than forty years ago—during the disastrous reign of Pope Paul VI, the latest candidate for a Vatican-issued Halo Award, by the way—my father, Walter L. Matt, organized the first large scale public reception in the U.S. for the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. It was held at the Radisson South Hotel, Minneapolis, on Tuesday, May 12, 1976, and its stated purpose was to assist the Archbishop in gaining a stronger foothold for the Society of St. Pius X in the States during the unprecedented crisis Blessed Pope Paul had helped unleash on the Church. On that occasion Archbishop Lefebvre delivered ...

Of the Church and the Pope - Fr. Calmel O.P.

+ JMJ Once again, looking back to see if the 'Traditional Catholics' in the early days of this crisis of the Church had a sufficient view to realize the roots of the crisis. The root: The Pope Hence when the Pope is 'righted' the Church will be 'righted'. P^3 Courtesy of SSPXasia Fr. Roger Calmel, O.P. This essay by Fr. Roger Calmel, O.P. (1914-75) helps us in these difficult times to preserve our love of the Church. More than 30 years after its first publication, this article retains all its relevance, so much so that it even seems to have been written for our time, in which the crisis in the Church deepens at an unprecedented pace. This essay will help the reader to think clearly, keep the Faith, and maintain serenity in the troubled times we are navigating. “My country has hurt m e,”wrote a young poet in 1944 during the purge 1 when the head of state [Charles De Gaulle] implacably pursued the sinister job that had been in the wo...

Canonical Mission and State of Emergency - A Response to Mr. John Salza - Part B

+ JMJ I was trying to think of a way to map out the time course I discussed in Part A of this article. Early this morning it came to me that this is more about obedience and duty than canon law. As is my wont, I mapped out my thoughts (see image) to draw linkages between the core concepts. My conclusion is that, at least subjectively, Archbishop Lefebvre had sufficient information to make good decisions concerning whether or not he was obliged to obey. I know that the Jesuits, some Sedevacantists and the priests that left over the years will not agree with my thoughts. So be it. The core pieces of information include: Attacks against the SSPX were launched because they kept the Tridentine Mass and the pre-conciliar understanding of the Truths of the Faith. The authorities in the Church were willing to go against the laws of the Church. The same authorities encouraged the various dangers to the Faith embedded in popular interpretations of ambiguo...

Validity of new rite of episcopal consecrations - Courtesy of SSPX.org

+ JMJ In the blogosphere there are number of responses to this crisis in the Catholic Church that lead to conclusions that run counter to Catholic Doctrine and Dogmas - if taken to their logical conclusion. The validity of the New Rite of Episcopal consecrations is one such hotspot within more extreme sections of the 'traditionalist' culture. Validity of new rite of episcopal consecrations Courtesy of SSPX.org Why the new rite of episcopal consecration is valid Introduction This comprehensive study was compiled to settle a debate that has been circulating in traditional Catholic circles. Some writers have examined the new rite of episcopal consecration and concluded that it must be invalid. Since this would cause manifest problems if it were true and due to the heightened awareness of such a theory, we present a study of this question concluding that it is valid. Following the Council, in 1968 a new rite for the ordination of bishops was promulg...

Tradicat

Search This Blog