The rash judgment currently being vented in numerous threads here about Bp. Fellay and the SSPX situation is appalling. Nauseating, really. I for one am waiting to see what actually happens instead of becoming hysterical about what may or may not happen. If Bp. Fellay sells out, I'm gone. But I'm waiting to see what actually happens.
Who's with me? I know some of you are out there. I also know that the screaming mob here has probably intimidated some into silence. Therefore, instead of speaking out here in support of Bp. Fellay, feel free to just give this post a thumbs up if you agree with me.
To those of you full of bitter zeal and anxiety, know this: the devil has you right where he wants you.
"But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall render an account for it in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."
-Mt. 12:37-38
"And if any man think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his own heart, this man's religion is vain."
-James 1:26
"But if you have bitter zeal, and there be contentions in your hearts; glory not, and be not liars against the truth."
-James 3:14
I understand what you are saying---wait and see before making all these judgments.
But I happen to believe, based on reading what Bishop Fellay has publicly said and what has been said by the priests at my chapel, that a deal is expected.
As such, I am attempting to prepare myself for that. What is wrong with preparation?
I am not judging Bishop Fellay---only he knows his motives. But it does appear from what little I know about him and the Society, that he has indeed reversed his position on many things, but most specifically in regards to Vatican II.
Because I am not nearly as intelligent as many people here, I could only recognize, when I was in NO, that most of the problems facing the Church were directly related to Vatican II.
To have Bishop Fellay accept Vatican II in any capacity other than it did happen and it has lead to utter destruction both within the Church and within the lives of Catholics is very disconcerting. This is EXACTLY what the FSSP does.
It would render us traditional Catholics sentimentalists---Catholics who are stuck in some place in time, who merely have a "fondness" for the Mass of their childhood.
B16 has already explained his opinion on the matter, but let me point it out to you in case you missed this 5 years ago. Please pay close attention to B16 word's. His thoughts regarding the Tridentine Mass are clear and his motives for reconciliation with the Society are like crystal.
it soon became apparent that a good number of people remained strongly attached to this usage of the Roman Rite, which had been familiar to them from childhood.
This statement clearly suggests that people love the Tridentine Mass out of emotion and nostalgia.
in the movement led by Archbishop Lefebvre, fidelity to the old Missal became an external mark of identity;
Many people who clearly accepted the binding character of the Second Vatican Council, and were faithful to the Pope and the Bishops, nonetheless also desired to recover the form of the sacred liturgy that was dear to them.
Here, again, is the sentimentality idea. His thoughts are that people accept Vatican II but they just can't let go of the Mass of their childhood.
This occurred above all because in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal, but the latter actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear.
If only priests would have done things properly, according to the New Missal, then we wouldn't be in this mess, he believes. The abuses are there, yes, but only because priests interpreted it wrong.
]Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them.
Sentiment again.
it is clearly seen that the new Missal will certainly remain the ordinary Form of the Roman Rite,not only on account of the juridical norms, but also because of the actual situation of the communities of the faithful.
It is true that there have been exaggerations and at times social aspects unduly linked to the attitude of the faithful attached to the ancient Latin liturgical tradition.
Yes, those people are still old fashioned and refuse to adapt to the modern world. You know, the women still wear dresses and have lots of children. Oh and they still believe that all people must be Catholics.
The most sure guarantee that the Missal of Paul VI can unite parish communities and be loved by them consists in its being celebrated with great reverence in harmony with the liturgical directives.
Here it is again. Celebrate the New Mass with reverence and no one will question it. In fact, everyone will love it.
There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal.
And since there is no contradiction between the two, why not just say the New Mass? Once people's sentiment is displaced, they will love it as much as the Old!
It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.
]Needless to say, in order to experience full communion, the priests of the communities adhering to the former usage cannot, as a matter of principle, exclude celebrating according to the new books. The total exclusion of the new rite would not in fact be consistent with the recognition of its value and holiness.
So be prepared to say the New Mass if you want to be recognized.
If it is clear to me, a simpleton, why is it not clear to anyone else?
Bishop Fellay, by his words, seems to desire reconciliation. But B16 desires assimilation.