Bishop Suspends Ef Mass

[CatherineM]

This is about politics, just not church politics the way everyone seems to think it is. One of my husband's best friends is the director of our archdiocese's pandemic planning. He said the bishop's hands are being tied by the province.

[Veridicus]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='01 December 2009 - 07:34 PM' timestamp='1259714077' post='2012802']
This is about politics, just not church politics the way everyone seems to think it is. One of my husband's best friends is the director of our archdiocese's pandemic planning. He said the bishop's hands are being tied by the province.
[/quote]

Egregious. So the Province has the right to tell Catholic Bishops (and thus Catholics) how to practice their religion. Wow. Welcome to the Future.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Veridicus

[melporcristo]

[quote name='Nihil Obstat' date='01 December 2009 - 03:27 PM' timestamp='1259706463' post='2012727']
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.
[/quote]

What he said.

I totally agree. I am praying that this isn't what our Bishop does. I admit though, when I read or hear anything regarding H1N1 or Swine Flu - I can't help but think, "Swine flue what?" It just seems like it was a big hoopla over nothing.

[Veridicus]

[quote name='melporcristo' date='01 December 2009 - 07:47 PM' timestamp='1259714851' post='2012810']
What he said.

I totally agree. I am praying that this isn't what our Bishop does. I admit though, when I read or hear anything regarding H1N1 or Swine Flu - I can't help but think, "Swine flue what?" It just seems like it was a big hoopla over nothing.
[/quote]

It isn't a big hoopla over nothing. It is a serious health concern across the planet. However, I do not think the state's health concerns trump 2,000 years of religious tradition. It isn't some Canadian's Province's authority to determine liturgical norms in the Church.

[CatherineM]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='01 December 2009 - 06:36 PM' timestamp='1259714209' post='2012804']
Egregious. So the Province has the right to tell Catholic Bishops (and thus Catholics) how to practice their religion. Wow. Welcome to the Future.
[/quote]
Bishop Henry has been hauled before the Human Rights Commission on more than one occasion for publicly saying that gay marriage is a bad idea. I think the time is quickly approaching where Catholic priests in Canada will have to get out of the business of civilly recording marriages because the government will want to make them do gay marriages.

[Veridicus]

[quote name='CatherineM' date='01 December 2009 - 09:08 PM' timestamp='1259719690' post='2012836']
Bishop Henry has been hauled before the Human Rights Commission on more than one occasion for publicly saying that gay marriage is a bad idea. I think the time is quickly approaching where Catholic priests in Canada will have to get out of the business of civilly recording marriages because the government will want to make them do gay marriages.
[/quote]

Then liberty has died. The Church is hovering precariously under siege from the state.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Veridicus

[jeffpugh]

Liberty has died all over the world. Do something about it or get over it.

[mommas_boy]

Not sure if it has been mentioned already (as I didn't read the entire thread) but the easiest solution in regards to the problem that the FSSP faces would be for communion not to be distributed, rather than forego the Mass altogether, or even just in the Extraordinary Form. This provides the most freedom, rather than restriction.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='mommas_boy' date='01 December 2009 - 10:10 PM' timestamp='1259723402' post='2012870']
Not sure if it has been mentioned already (as I didn't read the entire thread) but the easiest solution in regards to the problem that the FSSP faces would be for communion not to be distributed, rather than forego the Mass altogether, or even just in the Extraordinary Form. This provides the most freedom, rather than restriction.
[/quote]

As I stated previously in this thread, the FSSP already tried that. (This is actually what the FSSP is doing everywhere where the bishops have forbidden distribution of holy Communion on the tongue.) The bishop apparently did not like that solution.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='01 December 2009 - 10:13 PM' timestamp='1259723624' post='2012874']
As I stated previously in this thread, the FSSP already tried that. (This is actually what the FSSP is doing everywhere where the bishops have forbidden distribution of holy Communion on the tongue.) The bishop apparently did not like that solution.
[/quote]

Oops. Sorry bro. Knew I should have read the whole thing.

[Resurrexi]

[quote name='mommas_boy' date='01 December 2009 - 10:15 PM' timestamp='1259723727' post='2012878']
Oops. Sorry bro.
[/quote]

No problem.

[Veridicus]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='01 December 2009 - 10:13 PM' timestamp='1259723624' post='2012874']
As I stated previously in this thread, the FSSP already tried that. (This is actually what the FSSP is doing everywhere where the bishops have forbidden distribution of holy Communion on the tongue.) The bishop apparently did not like that solution.
[/quote]

Even if for all intensive purposes a seemingly perfectly adequate solution that maximized the number of Masses being celebrated and the sacramental grace in the world, the Bishop decided otherwise.

Shutting down the Masses for any reason whatsoever is still completely within the Bishop's prerogative and authority, right?

Cuz that pretty much ends the discussion I think.

Edited December 2, 2009 by Veridicus

[zunshynn]

[quote name='Resurrexi' date='01 December 2009 - 08:13 PM' timestamp='1259723624' post='2012874']
As I stated previously in this thread, the FSSP already tried that. (This is actually what the FSSP is doing everywhere where the bishops have forbidden distribution of holy Communion on the tongue.) The bishop apparently did not like that solution.
[/quote]

That's one of the things I find most bothersome about this particular situation... If the faithful were already making spiritual communions rather than recieving, than how is this an action aiming to stop the spread of the swine flu? If it really is that his hands are tied because of the stipulations of the Province, than those demands are already being met. It seems more like a power play. I hope that I'm mistaken about that.

[mommas_boy]

[quote name='Veridicus' date='01 December 2009 - 10:33 PM' timestamp='1259724791' post='2012890']
Shutting down the Masses for any reason whatsoever is still completely within the Bishop's prerogative and authority, right?
[/quote]

I'm not sure, but I would hazard a yes. Even so, it is a bit strong given the alternative of not distributing communion. Nonetheless, I'm certain the Bishop has his reasons.

Edited December 2, 2009 by mommas_boy

[Veridicus]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='01 December 2009 - 10:36 PM' timestamp='1259724971' post='2012893']
That's one of the things I find most bothersome about this particular situation... If the faithful were already making spiritual communions rather than recieving, than how is this an action aiming to stop the spread of the swine flu? If it really is that his hands are tied because of the stipulations of the Province, than those demands are already being met. It seems more like a power play. I hope that I'm mistaken about that.
[/quote]

It does seem like a powerplay. But I don't really think its within our realm to question if its the prerogative and authority of the Bishop. I lament that it has to be this way for those parishioners as I am sure the Bishop does as well.