Author Topic: Open Letter to Bishop Fellay by the Faithful of the US District (Read 12453 times)

SeanJohnson · « **on:** June 15, 2012, 07:25:00 AM »

Forum-

Inspired by the courage and lucidity evinced in the Letter to Bishop Fellay by the District of Great Britain faithful, I propose to draft a similar letter from the US District faithful.

In order for the Letter to have any impact, and to induce brave laity to sign it, several things would need to happen:

1) The letter would be worthless unless it could muster the signatures of 50% of the US faithful;

2) Knowing the US District to be most hostile to supporters of Archbishop Lefebvre, most US faithful would be reticent to sign without anonymity until they could be sure of significant support;

3) Therefore, I propose that that supporters email me their names/parish name/city, to be held in strict confidence until such time as 50% support is reached (If ever);

4) Last I heard, there were approximately 20,000 SSPX faithful in the US District (a few years ago);

5) This means the petition would not be published/sent unless 10,000 signatories could be obtained;

6) In order to obtain this number of signatures, a couple things would need to happen:

A) The letter would need to appear on all major Catholic websites (e.g., Cathinfo; Ignis Ardens; others), with an email account to send your confidential name/parish/city;

B) I could look into purchasing the entire back page of the Catholic Family News, seeking signatures for this "Bouquet" to send to Menzingen;

B) The letter would probably also need to circulate at SSPX chapels (The best way to do this without detection, and maintaining anonymity, is for someone to print hard copies and have a non-parishioner friend/family member stick them on windshields during Mass). Can we find sufficient support in all SSPX chapels to plaster cars with the letter?

C) This will also have an awareness-raising effect, since many of our people do not frequent the internet, and are probably oblivious of the whole debate/situation

7) If a large, but insufficient number of signatures is obtained, I will ask respondants (whose emails and addresses will have been retained for this purpose) whether they want to publish their resistence anyway.

8) On this score, I would ask you to reflect deeply; there will be consequences (thrown out of the parish; banned from the schools; loss and alienation of accordistas; etc). I do not know that I myself would make my resistence known, unless of course a deal is signed, in which case none of us has any choice.

So at this preliminary stage, I ask you Cathinfo readers to trouble shoot my idea.

Feedback is most welcome.

Once a plan is worked out, I can begin organizing a draft of the letter, which I will again submit to Cathinfo readers only, for critiqueing for a 2-3 day time period (i.e., Time is of the essense).

NOTE TO READERS: There are only a couple of you on this forum who know my true identity. You have the ability to sabotage this entire undertaking, should you choose to do so. I am at your mercy. Betraying me would rob my family of access to the sacraments. Given what is at stake, it seemed to me to be worth the risk. God's will be done.

SeanJohnson · « **Reply #1 on:** June 15, 2012, 07:34:57 AM »

Is this project realistic?

Or do you think to many SSPXers are waiting for someone else to do their fighting for them?

SeanJohnson · « **Reply #2 on:** June 15, 2012, 08:56:30 AM »

Depressing:

73 views

No replies

1 Thumbs up.

Can already tell this isn't going to work out.

Guess I will just do my own little things.

Sunbeam · « **Reply #3 on:** June 15, 2012, 09:19:29 AM »

May I, despite having no connection with the SSPX, offer a word of support and encouragement for this important initiative proposed by Seraphim.

In 1975, the late Fr Oswald Baker was suspended from his office as pastor of the English parish of Downham Market, which, at that time, he had already served for 24 years. He was a humble and kindly man; one deserving of the love that his parishioners had towards him, and of the respect in which he was held by the townsfolk who came into any sort of contact with him. He was suspended from office for the supposed offence of defying the highest authority in the Church - an authority alleged to have been held by the unlamented Paul VI. Fr Baker defied this authority by his refusal to celebrate the newly-invented Novus Ordo Missae and by adhering to the Traditional Latin Mass for which he had been trained and ordained, 33 years before.

Upon being suspended, Fr Baker was no longer permitted to say Mass in the parish church; he was deprived of his previous source of income and of a right to a pension, but at least there was a just provision in Canon Law that allowed him to remain in residence at the priest's house. Thereafter, he worked independently of the diocesan structure, even rising to the call of pastoral duties beyond the territorial limits of his parish. He died in 2004 and was buried by a traditional Catholic priest whom I will not put at risk by publicising his name.

How was it that Father Baker was able to survive for the next 29 years? How was it that he was able to establish a new chapel which, in fact, was blessed by Archbishop Lefebvre himself?

It was by the support of the laity, especially in the first instance, of his own parishioners who understood the spirit of the law, as against its letter. They understood that the salvation of souls had an indisputable priority over a disputable edict with a Roman postmark; they understood that with the grace of the sacrament of confirmation they had received new responsibilities; they understood that, despite threats from the chancery, it was their duty to give Father Baker the active support that was needed for him to remain faithful to his ordination oath, and to fulfil his part in the preservation of Catholic Tradition.

Do not the circuмstances of the present time again speak to the laity of their responsibility? Is this a time for walking away when betrayal is in the wind?

Matthew · « **Reply #4 on:** June 15, 2012, 12:06:51 PM »

Quote from: Seraphim

Depressing:

73 views

No replies

1 Thumbs up.

Can already tell this isn't going to work out.

Guess I will just do my own little things.

Um...you posted this at 7:25 AM. There are some people who don't get up until after 11 AM. I know, I have a messed up schedule. That's what happens when you don't have to set and alarm and get up for work -- hooray for self-employment! (And hooray for video phone calls not being more popular in 2012...)

On the other hand, at least I'm on here at 2 AM! :)

Anyhow, I'm all for your idea.

For Greater Glory · « **Reply #5 on:** June 15, 2012, 12:55:15 PM »

Quote from: Seraphim

Forum-

3) Therefore, I propose that that supporters email me their names/parish name/city, to be held in strict confidence until such time as 50% support is reached (If ever);

Seraphim,
Hi, I'm a new member. I e-mailed you the information and some fightin' words. Don't know if the e-mail was sent - was told I must be an established member. What does that entail? Thanks, :confused1:

LordPhan · « **Reply #6 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:20:39 PM »

Seraphim, you need to have an E-mail address for people to send to. New members and non-members cannot PM you.

It will also be needed to have it posted to ignis ardens etc.

I am not of the American district however, I wish you good luck.

MargaretRooney · « **Reply #7 on:** June 15, 2012, 01:45:06 PM »

I am new here and have signed the British letter.
This is just to wish you prayers and good luck. :rahrah: :cheers:

SeanJohnson · « **Reply #8 on:** June 15, 2012, 02:41:00 PM »

Quote from: LordPhan

Seraphim, you need to have an E-mail address for people to send to. New members and non-members cannot PM you.

It will also be needed to have it posted to ignis ardens etc.

I am not of the American district however, I wish you good luck.

Agreed.

This will be necessary at some point.

But I think it must first be established to acquire/locate contacts at the various SSPX chapels who will be willing to distribute the Letter.

Without first getting that coordinated, there is no point in anything else.

It would be impossible to build a formidable, substantial support base without this critical step.

How did the Brits get their signatures?

SeanJohnson · « **Reply #9 on:** June 15, 2012, 02:41:31 PM »

Quote from: MargaretRooney

I am new here and have signed the British letter.
This is just to wish you prayers and good luck. :rahrah: :cheers:

What was the manner in which the British letter was circulated for obtaining signatures?

Incredulous · « **Reply #10 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:19:38 PM »

Quote from: MargaretRooney

I am new here and have signed the British letter.
This is just to wish you prayers and good luck. :rahrah: :cheers:

Aye Margaret...with the beer in your hand,
a nice Irish girl you be?

We Americans were most impressed with the 200+ signatures on the
UK "Open Letter" to Bp. Fellay.

The time for negotiating is over.
We must demand Monsignor Fellay's resignation!

MargaretRooney · « **Reply #11 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:42:10 PM »

Poetry will get you everywhere!!!! :cheers:
The British letter was circulated through e mailing people we knew and word of mouth for people with no internet access. :dancing-banana:

Incredulous · « **Reply #12 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:47:37 PM »

Quote from: Seraphim

Forum-

Inspired by the courage and lucidity evinced in the Letter to Bishop Fellay by the District of Great Britain faithful, I propose to draft a similar letter from the US District faithful.

In order for the Letter to have any impact, and to induce brave laity to sign it, several things would need to happen:

1) The letter would be worthless unless it could muster the signatures of 50% of the US faithful;

2) Knowing the US District to be most hostile to supporters of Archbishop Lefebvre, most US faithful would be reticent to sign without anonymity until they could be sure of significant support;

3) Therefore, I propose that that supporters email me their names/parish name/city, to be held in strict confidence until such time as 50% support is reached (If ever);

4) Last I heard, there were approximately 20,000 SSPX faithful in the US District (a few years ago);

5) This means the petition would not be published/sent unless 10,000 signatories could be obtained;

6) In order to obtain this number of signatures, a couple things would need to happen:

A) The letter would need to appear on all major Catholic websites (e.g., Cathinfo; Ignis Ardens; others), with an email account to send your confidential name/parish/city;

B) I could look into purchasing the entire back page of the Catholic Family News, seeking signatures for this "Bouquet" to send to Menzingen;

B) The letter would probably also need to circulate at SSPX chapels (The best way to do this without detection, and maintaining anonymity, is for someone to print hard copies and have a non-parishioner friend/family member stick them on windshields during Mass). Can we find sufficient support in all SSPX chapels to plaster cars with the letter?

C) This will also have an awareness-raising effect, since many of our people do not frequent the internet, and are probably oblivious of the whole debate/situation

7) If a large, but insufficient number of signatures is obtained, I will ask respondants (whose emails and addresses will have been retained for this purpose) whether they want to publish their resistence anyway.

8) On this score, I would ask you to reflect deeply; there will be consequences (thrown out of the parish; banned from the schools; loss and alienation of accordistas; etc). I do not know that I myself would make my resistence known, unless of course a deal is signed, in which case none of us has any choice.

So at this preliminary stage, I ask you Cathinfo readers to trouble shoot my idea.

Feedback is most welcome.

Once a plan is worked out, I can begin organizing a draft of the letter, which I will again submit to Cathinfo readers only, for critiqueing for a 2-3 day time period (i.e., Time is of the essense).

NOTE TO READERS: There are only a couple of you on this forum who know my true identity. You have the ability to sabotage this entire undertaking, should you choose to do so. I am at your mercy. Betraying me would rob my family of access to the sacraments. Given what is at stake, it seemed to me to be worth the risk. God's will be done.

Seraphim,

Thank you for putting the "US Letter" idea into motion.

I suggest that the letter very politely ask for Bp. Fellay's resignation, if for any other reason: "A lack of confidence in his leadership".

The letter is important, not so much for venting our feelings, but for assuring those priests in doubt that we are behind them. Like Father Pfieffer's sermon, it helps to embolden us to +ABL's cause of resistance.

I doubt John Vennari would take the letter advertisement.
He's been a Bp. Fellay cheerleader since 2009.
However, I suspect Michael Matt is sympathetic to our cause.

Please let me know if you need any help or if you want to discuss it off-line?

Diego · « **Reply #13 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:55:55 PM »

I'm in.

I agree that the letter should ask for Bp. Fellay's resignation as well as the resignation of his power clique. I suggest that we be clear that Krah, his Zionism, his worldly Facebook "likes," and his financial influence are objectionable. It might be worth suggesting that the SSPX statutes be revised so that no power clique or Marrano handler can ever control the resources of the SSPX.

Clint · « **Reply #14 on:** June 15, 2012, 03:59:10 PM »

Quote from: Seraphim

Depressing:
....
Can already tell this isn't going to work out.

The first shot has not been fired and you are already surrendering?

These things take time. The "what did the English group do" question was excellent advice. Find out more. You need to have someone draft the letter first.

Let me add something quickly, in my experience, when they count numbers in the chapels they count even babies. In my parish it's like 50% children under 20. If that is the rule, and you are told there are 20,000 parishioners in the USA, then if you get 10,000 signatures, you have 100% of all the adults.

In politics they say that for every person that writes in, it equals 1000 voters.
I've always heard it said that all wars are fought by like 30% of the people, 15% on each side. I think that if you get 1000 signatures, you will have enough of a contigent to convert the rest.

Besides, in my opinion, the letter is just to show support for the three bishops, for it is they who lead us. This is not a democracy, where the people choose, it is about following our leaders, and not following one bishop who is opposed to the three bishops. Specially since we are talking about TOTAL change.

No time to review spelling right now, got to go