Bishop Suspends Ef Mass

[Resurrexi]

[IMG]http://i49.tinypic.com/iqg5tf.jpg[/IMG]

Edited December 1, 2009 by Resurrexi

[KnightofChrist]

Wow... wow... just wow... how very sad.

[Resurrexi]

The original Pastoral Letter:


Ongoing Communication re: the H1N1 Flu Virus

To all clergy and parishioners of the Diocese of Calgary,

I wish to provide you with an additional update regarding proactive measures in relation to the H1N1 Flu virus. In my communication of September 14, I provided a number of directives based on counsel from health officials and those experienced with pandemic planning. Regrettably, when people think of pandemic, it conjures up images of global calamities like the Black Death or Spanish Flu, and the media headlines scream catastrophe. In reality, pandemic declarations are based on speed and range of transmission and not the deadliness of the virus.

We have been closely monitoring the situation. Much of the fear-mongering continues. The appeal to common sense, or the likelihood of people understanding the request for personal behaviour change and complying, was reasonable earlier, when the consequence of non-compliance was less significant. Now, however, the risk is higher.

At this time, it would only be prudent to elevate our diligence to the next level in trying to stop the rapid spread of the virus. For the health and safety of all people of faith, parishes must implement the changes outlined below at all masses as of Sunday November 8, 2009 until further notice.

1. Temporarily suspend communion on the tongue.
2. Temporarily suspend communion from the chalice.
3. Temporarily refrain from shaking hands during the sign of peace (a nod, bow or other appropriate gesture may be encouraged).
4. Temporarily Holy Water fonts at the entrance of the church should remain dry.
5. Parishes should provide hand cleaning stations near church entrances.
6. All ministers of communion are asked to wash their hands before mass. An alcohol-based sanitizer should be provided so that all ministers may sanitize their hands before and after distributing communion.
7. When you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them; stay at home when you are sick - don’t go to work, school or church.


To the faithful of the Diocese of Calgary, I recognize the distress these changes to our sacred liturgy may cause for some. Be assured that these are temporary measures only, intended to protect and care for our most vulnerable brothers and sisters. Please join me in offering prayers for the sick and suffering in our community and for all those who care for them.

Signature
November 05, 2009
✠ F. B. Henry
Bishop of Calgary.

[Nihil Obstat]

[Nihil Obstat]

My bishop isn't a bad guy either... that's proven by the fact that every time the newspaper mentions him, they say Bishop Henry, an outspoken critic of homosexual marriage/abortion/you name it. I truly don't understand why he has decided to do this.

[nowak.chris]

[url="http://www.examiner.com/x-20920-Grand-Rapids-Catholic-Examiner~y2009m12d1-Calgary-bishop-suspends-Latin-Mass"]Source[/url]of OP. This is a mess, a Bishop testing both the Notita on Communion on the Tongue and Summorum Pontificum.

[Nihil Obstat]

Luckily St. Stephen Protomartyr is Ukrainian Catholic, and thus outside the authority of Bishop Henry.

[kafka]

since it is permitted to receive in the hands the Fraternity should be obeying the bishop for the time being.

Love and obedience transcends a practice that is not doctrinal or moral.

[Nihil Obstat]

[quote name='kafka' date='01 December 2009 - 04:12 PM' timestamp='1259705569' post='2012718']
since it is permitted to receive in the hands the Fraternity should be obeying the bishop for the time being.

Love and obedience transcends a practice that is not doctrinal or moral.
[/quote]
In either case, I don't believe it is permitted in the EF though, right? The FSSP of course exclusively celebrates the Extraordinary Form.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='kafka' date='01 December 2009 - 05:12 PM' timestamp='1259705569' post='2012718']
since it is permitted to receive in the hands the Fraternity should be obeying the bishop for the time being.
[/quote]

It is not permitted to receive in the hands in the EF Mass.

It would be impossible for the FSSP to distribute Communion in the hands without being disobedient to the rubrics of the Liturgy.

Also, the FSSP [i]is[/i] obeying the bishop now, as the FSSP priests are not celebrating Mass. They were also being obedient to the bishop before since, from what I heard, they were not having a people's Communion at all; only the celebrant was receiving Communion at their Masses.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Resurrexi

[kafka]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='01 December 2009 - 05:16 PM' timestamp='1259705765' post='2012720']
In either case, I don't believe it is permitted in the EF though, right? The FSSP of course exclusively celebrates the Extraordinary Form.
[/quote]
I dont understand your question. The bishop by making this temporal decision implied that it is permitted in this set of circumstances. The Fraternity is being obstinate.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='01 December 2009 - 05:16 PM' timestamp='1259705765' post='2012720']
In either case, I don't believe it is permitted in the EF though, right?
[/quote]

Bingo.

Edited December 1, 2009 by Resurrexi

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='kafka' date='01 December 2009 - 05:21 PM' timestamp='1259706092' post='2012722']
The Fraternity is being obstinate.
[/quote]

No, the Fraternity is just being faithful to the rubrics of its Liturgy.

[Nihil Obstat]

As much as it pains me to have to take a side in this, I have to agree with the choices the FSSP have made. The rubrics cannot be changed by my bishop, as I'm sure they're both aware. There's really nothing else to say besides that I believe that Bishop Henry is out of line in this isolated case, and that the FSSP are showing remarkable obedience and humility in not publicly celebrating Mass for the time being.

[kafka]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='01 December 2009 - 05:24 PM' timestamp='1259706294' post='2012725']
No, the Fraternity is just being faithful to the rubrics of its Liturgy.
[/quote]
the rubrics are not immutable absolutes. This is foolish and imprudent of them. They are placing rubrics above love and obedience. Letter above the spirit.

So hypothetically let us say that the EF were the only form celebrated in Quebec or wherever, and a deadly virus plagues the city. So the bishop according to his temporal magisterial authority decides that Holy Communion should only be distrubuted hand to hand in order to avoid spreading the plague. Do you really think that it would be wise for the priests to rebel and only offer Mass privately and deny the Eucharist to the people over a measly rubric?