Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => SSPX Resistance News => Topic started by: Mr G on December 20, 2017, 03:59:30 PM
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From: http://tradidi.com/resistance/interview-fr-paul-morgan (http://tradidi.com/resistance/interview-fr-paul-morgan)
Author: Fr. Paul Morgan
Source : medias-presse.info (http://www.medias-presse.info/entretien-exclusif-avec-m-labbe-paul-morgan-ancien-superieur-de-district-de-grande-bretagne/85103/)
Translation: Samuel Loeman
(http://tradidi.com/files/styles/200x150/public/fr-paul-morgan.jpg?itok=4WCt_QbR)
Introduction
I am Father Paul Morgan, ordained by Bishop Lefebvre at Ecône in 1988. After that, I was 4 years in the district house in London as an assistant. Following this, I was the 1st Superior of the Society of St. Pius X in the Philippines for 4 years, until 1996. Then 2 years as a school principal at St Mary's School in England and then 5 years as a prior at Post Falls in Idaho, USA. And then 12 years as district superior of Great Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia, until 2015. Then sabbatical year at Montgardin, which I had asked for. And then 2016-2017, Prior in Vancouver, Canada.
What is your current situation?
Right now, I am outside the Society, since I resigned on August 9 of this year [2017] because of the marriage affair.
Why did the marriage affair make you quit?
It seemed to me, it always seems to me, that it is an essential compromise to accept the principle that priests representing modern dioceses come to us, in the bastionsof Tradition, to receive the promises of the bride and groom. Even if in practice we are a little restricted in such things, we have accepted the principle. And that's why, in concrete terms, I wrote my letter of resignation.
Why react now?
I think there were many of us, quite a few priests and superiors themselves, who had reacted against the new way of doing things, even before the 2012 chapter. There were many of us in Albano in 2011 to say to Bishop Fellay, very respectfully, that these steps should not be continued in order to reach an agreement with modernist Rome. So, we have already done a great deal in the Society, among ourselves, with the superiors to denounce and oppose these approaches. For example, in 2012, the district of Great Britain was ready, in its entirety, to break away if they made a false agreement with modernist Rome. So it is not just this year that we have begun to react, but we have already for years.
Why didn't you react publicly?
I think the manifesto, the statement of the 7 deans and superiors of friendly communities in France, was very, very well put. So publicly, that was already explained. And I can also say that I have done things in order and according to the rules, by sending a manifesto signed by several priests from Canada to Bishop Fellay and to Menzingen, explaining quite simply, the serious problems with these new directives for receiving marriage vows. So right away we talked about it on the Internet, so it became public, etc.. So, I chose to do things that way. Now, I speak more publicly, since I've had a little time to organize myself - and we left Canada with a suitcase in our hands, not knowing where to go because we never thought of being alone, on the outside like that.
What prospects for the 2018 General Chapter?
Unfortunately, I do not have much hope in the general chapter next year. It seems to me that with the change of minds that has been taking place for several years now - so that we think that Rome is now kind, Rome loves us, we can make an agreement or do more good saying inside the Church, s if we were outside the Church until now, it's unbelievable, isn't it - so I don't have much hope. And we can see that good priests like the 7 deans, for example, who have made a very good docuмent - and a special hello to Father de la Rocque in exile in the Philippines, a country that I like very much but which is still in exile - we see what happens to priests who denounce problems respectfully and rightly: we punish them! So I think the superiors in the chapter will simply do what Menzingen tells them to do.
What about your apostolate?
At the moment, I have no official apostolate. I am in contact with a lot of priests, in France and abroad, as well as with the faithful, encouraging and supporting them. Aslo with priests who have left [the SSPX] already a few months or a few years ago, for reasons that are in the end quite similar.
It is very encouraging to see the strong religious communities in France, religious men and women. I am in contact with them but I understand that this is a difficult situation for these communities, which may be at risk of sanctions if they show themselves too publicly in agreement with priests like myself.
Nevertheless, we celebrate Mass, we pray, we visit confreres, we have been able to preach a retreat already, we have made visits on the right and on the left. I get a lot of invitations from other countries to come and help. But at the moment, for rather practical matters we have to organise ourselves before embarking on any future activities. But I think, it seems to me that in June-July 2018, we are going to shoot into action. I think there will be more positive reactions in the coming year.
In connection with the bishops consecrated by Bishop Williamson?
Yes, if need be, of course, since we need bishops for Sacred orders and confirmations. Consecrating bishops in this emergency, as Archishop Lefebvre himself had said, can be repeated. This is not something reserved exclusively for Archbishop Lefebvre. And yes, we are quite willing to collaborate with the faithful, with faithful Catholics.
In conclusion?
I conclude by saying that we always have hope in the Good Lord. I think of Archbishop Lefebvre who was alone. He resigned some the Holy Ghost Fathers so as not to have any part in the destruction of his congregation. So priests like him and certainly many others, did this for important reasons. Let us try to make contacts, to gather together in order to help other priests who, for the moment, remain within the Society, hoping to organize something to help them as also [to help] the sound faithful. There's a lot of work to be done. We have hope.
And then, finally, Our Lady of Fatima spoke about diabolic disorientations. It seems to me that what is happening here is an example, right here in 2017, [an example] of this confusion of mind. So, as Archishop Lefebvre said, we must remain faithfully, we must keep the principles of the fight for the faith, the good fight and then, if we have to suffer by doing this, God's Holy will must be done.
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I think Fr Morgon was holding on for dear life a long time before the marriage issue arose...
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Sounds like Father Morgan is on-board with being considered in the "Resistance".
If you conducted a poll of neo-SSP faithful, I bet over 70% are not aware of Bp. Fellay ceded the Society's Canon law marriage jurisdiction to newChurch?
"Feed em pablum in the sermons, Keep em off the internet, and keep hitting them for big project donations".
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Does anyone know how to get a hold of Fr Morgon?
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In connection with the bishops consecrated by Bishop Williamson?
Yes, if need be,
Doesn't sound too enthusiastic to me.
He doesn't clearly grasp the full magnitude of what has happened to the SSPX, and probably considers them traditional.
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Does anyone know how to get a hold of Fr Morgon?
Try a lasso.
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Fr. Morgan: What is your current situation?
Right now, I am outside the Society, since I resigned on August 9 of this year [2017] because of the marriage affair.
Why did the marriage affair make you quit?
It seemed to me, it always seems to me, that it is an essential compromise to accept the principle that priests representing modern dioceses come to us, in the bastionsof Tradition, to receive the promises of the bride and groom. Even if in practice we are a little restricted in such things, we have accepted the principle. And that's why, in concrete terms, I wrote my letter of resignation.
So ithe "marriage affair" was the straw which broke the camel's back. Really? You mean that Father did not perceive real problems bubbling beneath the surface at ICC in Post Falls before he left in 2003 after 5 years in the priorship? That he may have been, perhaps, somewhat oblivious to the growing storm there? That it was solely the marriage thing which tipped the scales? Was he not getting early signals in the confessional and in personal interactions with parishioners? My, my, I find this hard to accept. But his testimony does help to explain why the Society's disintegration has been so precipitous. When its best and most educated priests don't seem to really get it, then is it any wonder that the rank and file of sspx priesthood are rather clueless.
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So ithe "marriage affair" was the straw which broke the camel's back. Really? You mean that Father did not perceive real problems bubbling beneath the surface at ICC in Post Falls before he left in 2003 after 5 years in the priorship? That he may have been, perhaps, somewhat oblivious to the growing storm there? That it was solely the marriage thing which tipped the scales? Was he not getting early signals in the confessional and in personal interactions with parishioners? My, my, I find this hard to accept. But his testimony does help to explain why the Society's disintegration has been so precipitous. When its best and most educated priests don't seem to really get it, then is it any wonder that the rank and file of sspx priesthood are rather clueless.
Are you fairly new to the SSPX or to Post Falls in particular? I ask because from what I understand (and someone please correct me if I am wrong), things in Post Falls were calmer with Fr Morgan than they had been previously. It's not like Post Falls was a utopia and bumbling Fr. Morgan overlooked some growing storm. Storms were already there, and gone, and there again, (as they are everywhere), and he seemed to have provided a little respite in between.
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It's not like Post Falls was a utopia and bumbling Fr. Morgan overlooked some growing storm. Storms were already there, and gone, and there again, (as they are everywhere), and he seemed to have provided a little respite in between.
Let's hope he provided some brief respite. We were in PF from roughly 2005 to 2012. It was not fun, on balance; and the scandals coming to a head in 2016 convinced us that we had made a bad choice to begin with. No, ICC was our Waterloo. That experience, followed for a short time by an association with Fr. Pfeiffer proved adequately to us that the Lefebvrian phenomenon was coming to a tragic and pitiful end.
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We were in PF from roughly 2005 to 2012. It was not fun, on balance; and the scandals coming to a head in 2016 convinced us that we had made a bad choice to begin with. No, ICC was our Waterloo.
That is too bad. You are not alone in this experience though. The families I have seen come through this type of difficulty with their Faith intact are those who constantly remind themselves that the graces of the Faith are not cheap. Every sacrifice, every pain, every persecution, disappointment or distress endured in trying to keep our Faith is more than worth it in the long run.
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double post
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Its a shame Fr Morgon didn't step up earlier, he was probably hoping that the Society would hold together and maintain unity, but that is no longer possible, and 'the wheels have come off the wagon' he was high profile and most respected, and would have had an influence on events but he chose to say little or nothing despite many letters and pleadings,
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Most Society priests consider their options; the world outside is a lonely place and lacks the support stronger priests find within themselves because of a strong conviction or resolute mission. Those not so endowed find bed and board in an organisation that long ago lost its way if indeed that way was clearly defined. As in an unhappy marriage an exit is sought when the time is considered right and a better place is found. Throughout the history of the Society this reality was always there if not given proper consideration; candidates enter by the front door in a glare of publicity and leave by the back door in the dead of night.
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Yes, its a pity Fr Morgon was gutless he may have inspired others if he had spoken sooner and the sspx may not have become the nonentity it is now. Sad.
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I see this interview of Fr. Morgan as a hopeful thing.
Sure, he's not at all perfect, but then neither are any of us.
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Yes, its a pity Fr Morgon was gutless he may have inspired others if he had spoken sooner and the sspx may not have become the nonentity it is now. Sad.
I'm not sure "gutless" is the word. Confused, maybe; torn and conflicted within, probably more accurate; not able to see a clear way forward outside the only model he'd ever followed, almost undoubtedly; dreading the prospect of being torn from a safe and semi-secure organizational mooring, understandable. He's no worse than any of us, and hopefully a lot better than most. So, Lord, help Fr. M to land on his feet.
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Gutless may not be right, maybe substitute spineless,
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Unbelievable!
So a priest after 35 years of being in the SSPX, decides to leave the SSPX (I am sure it was not an easy decision) but is still castigated because he did not do it the way some of you have wanted. What did you want him to do? Come out with guns blazing firing shots at everyone?
I don't believe the laity should simply "pray, pay, and obey" but I also don't think the laity should be so quick priests.
What I really see is a failure to understand human nature. We sit here behind our screens typing away on a forum telling the world what these priests should be doing. I am sure Fr. Morgan is just a gutless man who has no principles and doesn't really understand the Faith. Yes that must be it. Yes, that will be a way to get these priests to have confidence in the faithful. Keep at it...
Encourage these priests and pray for them. What has Fr. Morgan done to deserve such criticism? He JUST left the SSPX a few months ago. Cut him some slack. My goodness.
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Sorry the sentence should read:
but I also don't think the laity should be so quick to criticize priests.
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Encourage these priests and pray for them. What has Fr. Morgan done to deserve such criticism? He JUST left the SSPX a few months ago. Cut him some slack. My goodness.
Yes, I agree. I was just surprised that after all he's been through in the sspx, the marriage issue should have been the thing that finally pushed him out. But you're right.
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Of course we should pray for him, but we are where we are, because of inaction, procrastination, and weak will, Fr Morgon knew what was going on and did nothing, now there is nothing to save, sspx is crumbs.
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Unbelievable!
So a priest after 35 years of being in the SSPX, decides to leave the SSPX (I am sure it was not an easy decision) but is still castigated because he did not do it the way some of you have wanted. What did you want him to do? Come out with guns blazing firing shots at everyone?
I don't believe the laity should simply "pray, pay, and obey" but I also don't think the laity should be so quick priests.
What I really see is a failure to understand human nature. We sit here behind our screens typing away on a forum telling the world what these priests should be doing. I am sure Fr. Morgan is just a gutless man who has no principles and doesn't really understand the Faith. Yes that must be it. Yes, that will be a way to get these priests to have confidence in the faithful. Keep at it...
Encourage these priests and pray for them. What has Fr. Morgan done to deserve such criticism? He JUST left the SSPX a few months ago. Cut him some slack. My goodness.
We should be happy that he has left.
My criticism has been on what he has said. If he doesnt want critcism for that, then he should have stayed silent.
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Unbelievable!
So a priest after 35 years of being in the SSPX, decides to leave the SSPX (I am sure it was not an easy decision) but is still castigated because he did not do it the way some of you have wanted. What did you want him to do? Come out with guns blazing firing shots at everyone?
I don't believe the laity should simply "pray, pay, and obey" but I also don't think the laity should be so quick priests.
What I really see is a failure to understand human nature. We sit here behind our screens typing away on a forum telling the world what these priests should be doing. I am sure Fr. Morgan is just a gutless man who has no principles and doesn't really understand the Faith. Yes that must be it. Yes, that will be a way to get these priests to have confidence in the faithful. Keep at it...
Encourage these priests and pray for them. What has Fr. Morgan done to deserve such criticism? He JUST left the SSPX a few months ago. Cut him some slack. My goodness.
It would seem that Fr. Morgan has gone from the frying pan into the fire. He'll have to develop very thick skin to deal with the Resistance laity, who are rather unforgiving.
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Father talks about the UK district breaking away had there been an agreement with Rome in 2012. How this would have worked in practice, one can ponder as Menzingen has learnt from its many internal disputes how to grab assets and threaten its members. There must have been a terribly uneasy period during the last few years of his role as superior and having to officially turn against many hardline activists. These things are not forgotten, hence the suspicions he is arousing.
I suspect there may not be a lot in common between late defectors from the Society and early defectors except the usual rejection of conciliarism. How modern Rome is viewed can give rise to striking differences and polarised positions as well as knowing the right away for independents to carry out their mission as priests. The loose association was aptly termed because anything better was unworkable. Father is entering the disorganised wing of the remnant. In France he will encounter a Heinz variety of traditional initiatives and no doubt meet up with some familiar faces from the past.