http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2010/10/bugnini-i-am-liturgical-reform.html

Fr. Anscar Chupungco OSB, former president of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome, a leading critic of Liturgiam Authenticam and Summorum Pontificuм, and undisputed guru of the Philippine liturgical establishment, published "What, Then, Is Liturgy? Musings and Memoir" this year. The book contains revealing snapshots of the behind-the-scenes of the liturgical reform under Paul VI and John Paul II, as well as extended reflections on the liturgy mixed with criticisms of the policies of the current Pontificate. The book also contains Chupungco's proposals for further changes to the Roman rite to continue what he sees as the unfinished agenda of the post-Conciliar liturgical reform. I intend to post various quotes of interest over the next several days.

From the Claretian Publications edition of the book, pp. 3-4:


After several decades of liturgical reform there are still contrasting opinions about what the council had really intended to achieve. I had the occasion to ask Fr. Cipriano Vagaggini, another mentor of mine and one of the framers of the Liturgy Constitution, what "substantial unity of the Roman rite" meant. The phrase is obscure, yet crucial to inculturation. His answer was quite revealing: "I asked the same question when we were drafting the Constitution but no one in the commission had an answer!" Strange indeed are the ways of the Spirit during the council and surely after the council. But if it is any consolation at all, tension can be considered an encouraging sign that people's interest in the liturgy has not abated over the years. When Abbot Primate Benno Gut of the Benedictine Confederation established the Pontifical Liturgical Institute in Rome in 1962, professors of theology, like prophets of doom, alerted him that liturgy was a fad that would not exceed their lifetime.

In his posthumous book The Reform of the Liturgy, 1948-1975 Annibale Bugnini keeps record of much opposition to the conciliar and postconciliar reform. Among the most antagonistic groups that he has identified the following clearly harbor a countercultural mentality. The first is Una Voce, an international group, for the defense of Latin, Gregorian chant, and sacred polyphony against the vernacular and modern music. The second are splinter groups that were often hostile to the liturgical changes being advanced by the Holy See. Among them Bugnini names the American Catholic Traditionalist Movement and individuals like the Italian journalist Tito Casino, who in his book La tunica stracciata acidly attacked the use of the vernacular; Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani and Cardinal Antonio Bacci, who staunchly supported opposition to the new Missal because of its alleged "heretical", "psychologically destructive," and "Protestant" elements; and the French Abbe Georges de Nantes, who called for the ousting of Pope Paul VI, whom he accused of heresy, schism and scandal. Even some of the devout faithful that frequented the Mass were adverse to the use of the vernacular. In the Church of Sant' Anselmo an elderly lady corrected me as I was offering her Holy Communion: "Non dicitur 'Il corpo di Cristo,' sed 'Corpus Christi'!" (In perfect Latin she bade me say "The Body of Christ" in Latin, not in Italian.)

(Brief CAP comment: isn't the Church supposed to be countercultural?)

Bugnini himself, then secretary to the Congregation of Divine Worship, was not spared. He was a systematic person who programmed the liturgical reform and courageously pushed its implementation against all opposition. I remember that in one of his visits to the Pontifical Liturgical Institute he declared, "I am the liturgical reform!" In more ways than one his self-assessment was correct. The postconciliar reform would not have progressed with giant steps had it not been for his dauntless spirit and tenacity. To crown his liturgical establishments the Vatican promoted him to the rank of papal delegate to Iran, where he became famous in the secular world for successfully negotiating the release of American hostages. (??? -- CAP)

"Thy justice is as the mountains, O God, thy judgments are a great deep."

"Let us all hear together the conclusion of the discourse. Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is all man..."

What a thoroughly repugnant piece of writing! However, it does offer more proof, as if that were needed at this point, that the modern-day "reformers" hated tradition, hated the Holy Church and Her teachings, and were determined to destroy Them at all costs.

My question continues to be: Why did God allow Satan to do this? As punishment for the sins of faithless liberals in Western Europe and the USA? Why would he mete out this chastisement on the many millions of faithful that certainly still existed at that time? Not everyone was a radical modernist or an uncaring worldly liberal back in the 50s and 60s. So why were the babies thrown out with the bathwater?

How many souls have been saved in these last fifty years? Certainly less than before the "reforms." Yes, I know that these events were prophesied many times before, starting with Our Lord's own words in the Gospels, but what about the innocent pew-sitters who suddenly had the rug pulled out from under them? Did they really deserve to be blindsided by this Bugnini and his ilk? Where they all really sick and tired of the Latin Mass and wanted it gone that badly? I know some were--many were--but all?

Why did God allow Satan to tempt Eve, attack Job, and encourage Judas?  He knew full well the consequences, did He not?  Satan is jealous.  He was cast down into Hell and he wishes all of God's creation to be there with him.  It is his revenge and he is clever.  However, Our Lord will never, ever allow it to happen.  There are many innocents who have been led to the slaughter--and there will be more.  Personally, I believe Our Lord has great compassion and mercy for them.  The rest, well, .......

Not sure if I agree that innocent people are lost.  I truly believe that God will somehow enlighten or give them the grace to see the truth, but then its up to them to accept the grace and do what is necessary.  i.e. give up your family, friends who are following the NO and get out of there.

Move if you have to, and if possible.

Start attending the True Mass of all times, pray the rosary, put on your scapular, research, not necessarily from the internet but seek out older Catholic books with imprimatur but mainly pray and be willing to make the sacrifice.  Now if God shows you the way but you say to Him, well I will just stay here and try to bring the NO back, its easier.  Who knows then maybe you are no longer considered the innocent.  

I do wonder though what Annibale had to say for himself at his Particular Judgment.  I hope he didn't pull the "I am the liturgical reform" line on Our Lord.  :rolleyes:

Where they all really sick and tired of the Latin Mass and wanted it gone that badly?

If we look at cause and effect one must notice that the Catholic people were no longer willing to confront the enemies of the church and call them enemies.  You cannot resist an enemy you are afraid to even name.  The Church failed to confront the Jєωιѕн power, was afraid to name it, afraid to name the successors to the scribes and pharisees and its power.  How can you remain whole if you cannot even name your enemy, the enemy that Christ was crucified for naming?

The moment the SSPX refuses to name the Jєωιѕн enemies of the Church it is finished.

Not sure if I agree that innocent people are lost.  I truly believe that God will somehow enlighten or give them the grace to see the truth, but then its up to them to accept the grace and do what is necessary.  i.e. give up your family, friends who are following the NO and get out of there.

Move if you have to, and if possible.

Start attending the True Mass of all times, pray the rosary, put on your scapular, research, not necessarily from the internet but seek out older Catholic books with imprimatur but mainly pray and be willing to make the sacrifice.  Now if God shows you the way but you say to Him, well I will just stay here and try to bring the NO back, its easier.  Who knows then maybe you are no longer considered the innocent.  

(boldface my own)

I'm really beginning to see the wisdom of this. I always thought of Jesus's commands to not hide our light under a bushel basket or a bed, and of the missionaries, starting with St. Paul and the other Apostles, who journeyed to the far ends of the known world to spread the Word. Now I know why that job is properly for the clergy: If they arrived at a place without the True Mass they could say it themselves. As a laity, if we are in an area without the TLM, we must simply do without, putting our own souls in danger and rejecting God's most precious gifts.

I had priests on my mother's side of the family; now I wish I had followed in their footsteps. Unfortunately, I was raised post Vatican II when vocations bottomed out and Catholic families no longer dreamed of producing at least one religious.