VERBUM Issue No. 31
Saint Thomas Aquinas Seminary
Stockton Hill
Summer, 1988
Winona, Minnesota USA
Unofficial:
The Birth of Bishops
June 30th dawned bright with the usual chirping of birds and sparkling dewdrops. Sounds of the campers peacefully waking up and of civilization arriving did not immediately prevail over the resounding silence of the Valais with its wild crevices which seem to absorb all the noises of the world. By 7:30 the tide had turned as continuous streams of cars and buses were pouring into Écône's 10-house Village. By 8 AM the cathedral-tent was full, by 8:30 every possible place was taken on all 3 sides from which the altar was visible. Any moment now, history would be made.
At 9 AM the same black and white line as yesterday processed down the hill, the only difference being the increased numbers and the addition of the 4 new bishops-to-be. It was a peaceful procession; slow and gentle, as all things are which bear lasting fruit, and in marked contrast with the agitation around it. * Surrounded by cheering, clapping and clicking of cameras, people pushing to see and TV cameramen pushing to shoot, it proceeded its course just as it would have done if only the sparrows and poppies had come to watch, just as all the Church's processions had done before and just as they will always do in the future.
Msgr. Lefebvre first explained his decision to proceed with the episcopal consecrations: 'We are not schismatic and we do not want to found a new church. Our attachment to the eternal Church is obvious. But today there is an emergency situation: The 'modern' Church is apostatizing; it is not doing what it was founded to do. What the Church has always condemned is now permitted: liberalism and communism are acceptable; ecuмenism is in the process of destroying our faith. If I too were to teach error, I would aid in this destruction and the loss of souls. It is not possible to put ourselves under an authority which attacks Our Lord. To submit to Rome's position would be operation ѕυιcιdє; to perform these consecrations will be operation survival. The consecration of bishops is the continuation of the Church's Tradition. Until Tradition returns to Rome we will simply hold the Faith. Be convinced: Rome will one day recognize us and thank us.'
Msgr. de Castro Mayer then delivered a short address in Portuguese, which was translated into English, French, and German: 'When our faith is in danger, then we are bound to publicly manifest it, and today this is the case. This crisis touches the Church in her very essence: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. For there is no Sacrifice without priests, and no priests without bishops and everything is built upon this Holy Sacrifice. Therefore I am here to fulfill my duty and openly profess my faith.
May God bless Msgr. Lefebvre and his work.'
The ceremony proceeded on its way. First came 20 questions posed to the Bishops-elect about their willingness to fulfill their duties and advance in virtue. The Litany of the Saints followed with the candidates prostrate; then came the imposition of hands by Msgr. Lefebvre and Msgr. de Castro Mayer which actually made the priests into bishops.

Afterwards ensued the consecrations of their heads, hands, and rings, the concelebration of Mass, the imposition of the mitre, crosier, and gloves, and their enthronement, the Te Deum of triumph and thanksgiving, the first blessing of the bishops, and the solemn procession of all the clergy back to the seminary, accompanied by cheers and clapping. Five hours had given us four new bishops: bishops to guard and foster the eternal Church, to give us the Sacraments, to stand firm for the truth and to carry us faithful to Jesus through this most trying time in the Church's history.
The Truth is mighty, and will prevail!
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*Maybe very subtly referring to the very loud helicopter that was disrespectful, right near the entrance of the tent, flying so close so as to photograph the ‘Schism’ in the making. The interruption caused by the chopper was remarkable, surprising - absolutely!! Td.