Cavete Episcoporum Dona Ferentes

Mr Dannebohm looks at the recent implementation of Francis's attack on Tradition in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia by Abp Nelson Perez.

From Memorare

By Jeremy Dannebohm

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other." -- Matthew 6:24

Yesterday, a friend of mine passed along an email he’d received that seems to have originated from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. The message was a statement from the Archdiocese regarding the position of Archbishop Perez concerning the Traditional Latin Mass. At the time of this publication, the document has yet to be posted on the Archdiocese's website.

While there are no such thing as good guidelines when it comes to the restrictions on the Latin Mass, Philadelphia’s guidelines were not nearly as harsh as some we have seen from other dioceses. Considering the Holy Father’s decree concerning the Fraternity of St. Peter, perhaps Archbishop Perez is trying to offer guidelines that offer some sort of balance between the news of these new guidelines for the FSSP and the tougher response offered by Archbishop Roche, in December 2021.

Speaking of that decree regarding the FSSP, you might recall that I advised readers to celebrate with caution. I think the same advice applies to the situation in Philadelphia. “Beware of those who come bearing gifts,” is an expression that originated during the Trojan War. In this case, it seems fitting.

To say that Perez is a “company man” would be an understatement. Keeping friends, the likes of Cardinal Justin Rigali (long before Perez was named Archbishop of Philly, which leaves you to wonder …) it’s a safe bet that it’s only a matter of time before Archbishop Perez gets one of those red hats that are coveted by the Bergoglio brigade. Thus, staying on the pope’s good side, while not upsetting the apple cart in Philadelphia too much, is like a priority for Perez.

While it’s never an effective form of leadership, Archbishop Perez is a lot like Pope Francis in that he’s trying to please everyone. As Bishop of Cleveland, Perez allowed an LGBTQ Family Ministry to function with his blessing. You’ll recall that Father James Martin and the LGBTQ community applauded the news that Perez was named Archbishop of Philadelphia, declaring it, “a breath of fresh air.”

Under the circumstances, mediocre leadership that aims to please everybody may have paid off in some small way for the Traditional Catholic faithful of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia -- for the time being.

Some would argue that Traditional Catholics should be grateful that Archbishop Perez was not "too harsh in his restrictions."

That's rubbish.

These restrictions were unnecessary in the first place. Thus, we should offer no gratitude, but rather prayer --- that the Holy Spirit will enlighten his heart to realize that restrictions on tradition are just as wrong as condoning the homosexual agenda. Perez is guilty of both. Sadly, as Archbishop Lefebvre said, "The Church no longer condemns, except those who stay faithful tradition."

Pax tecum

Jeremy Dannebohm

THE TEXT FROM THE EMAIL CONCERNING THE LATIN MASS IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF PHILIDELPHIA:

Archbishop Nelson J. Perez, Archbishop of Philadelphia, promulgates the following pastoral norms for the application of the July 16, 2021, Motu proprio, Traditionis custodes, in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, effective as of the Fourth Sunday of Lent, March 27, 2022.

The Archbishop, in accord with the intentions of Pope Francis to regulate the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the present reform and to foster a deeper ecclesial communion with the use of the current liturgical books, establishes these norms as the moderator, promoter and guardian of the Sacred Liturgy in the local Church (see Sacrosanctum concilium, 22, and Christus Dominus, 11. He also does this in accord with the Code of Canon Law, canon 87, §1, which permits him to make an adjustment locally to a universal law for the spiritual good of the faithful (see Traditionis custodes, 2).

These norms at the same time give due regard for the good of all in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and for those in our local church who have been accustomed to the use of the Roman Liturgy prior to the present reform.

1. The celebration of the Roman Liturgy prior to the present reform may continue as already established at the Quasi-Parish of Saint Mary, Conshohocken, which is staffed by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (see Traditionis custodes, 3, §2, §3, Decree, February 11, 2022).

2. The celebration of Mass according to the Missale Romanum (1962) prior to the reform of 1970 may continue as currently occuring at Our Lady of Consolation Parish, Philadelphia, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Philadelphia, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission Church of Holy Saviour Parish, Norristown, and the Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa, Doylestown (see Traditionis custodes, 3, §2, §3).

a. These celebrations are to take place outside of the regular schedule for Sunday Mass (Responsa ad dubia, CDW, December 18, 2021).

b. The readings at Mass are to be proclaimed in the vernacular using approved translations of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (Traditionis custodes, 3, §3).

c. The use of the Rituale Romanum (1952) is permitted only at the Quasi-Parish of Saint Mary, Conshohocken (see Responsa ad dubia, CDW, December 18, 2021).

This means that the Sacraments of Baptism, Penance and Reconciliation, Anointing of the Sick and Marriage can only be celebrated according to the current liturgical books outside of the Quasi-Parish of Saint Mary, Conshohocken.

3. All priests who currently celebrate according to the Missale Romanum (1962) prior to the reform of 1970 may continue to do so in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. With Traditionis custodes, 5, all priests now must obtain authorization to do so from the Archbishop. The request for authorization from the Archbishop should be made by March 31, 2022.

4. According to the Responosa ad dubia of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, December 18, 2021, deacons and instituted ministers likewise must obtain a similar authorization from the Archbishop. The request for authorization from the Archbishop should be made by March 31, 2022.

5. All priests ordained after July 16, 2021, the publication date of Traditionis custodes, who wish to celebrate Mass according to the Missale Romanum (1962) must submit a formal request to the Archbishop who will then consult the Holy See before granting this authorization (see Traditionis custodes, 4).

6. The Director of the Office for Divine Worship of the Archdiocese is the delegate of the Archbishop to oversee the celebration of the Roman Liturgy prior to the present reform (see Traditionis custodes, 3, §4). The responsibility of the delegate is to insure the observance of Traditionis custodes, these pastoral norms, the competent celebration of the Roman Liturgy according to the Missale Romanum (1962) and responding to requests for celebrations of the Roman Liturgy prior to the present reform.

Publisher's Note: The purpose of articles "calling out" the clergy can sometimes be considered harsh. In reality, the actions and behaviors addressed in such articles are generally offenses that cry out to God for mercy. St. Thomas Aquinas notes:

“Augustine says in his Rule: ‘Show mercy not only to yourselves, but also to him who, being in the higher position among you, is therefore in greater danger.’ But fraternal correction is a work of mercy. Therefore, even prelates ought to be corrected.” (Summa Theologica II, II, q. 33, a. 4, Sed Contra.)

In his letters, St. Pio writes that Jesus once appeared to him in a vision saying:

"My Heart has been forgotten. Nobody cares for my love; I am always grief stricken … my priests that I have always protected, who have always had my favor; they should comfort my grieving heart; they should help me in the redemption of souls, instead – who would believe it? They repay me with ingratitude and rejection. I see many of these … who hypocritically betray me with sacrilegious Communions, stomping on the grace and the strength that I constantly give them.”

While nobody is perfect, it is our fervent prayer that clergy, who have offended Our Lord and scandalized His People, will repent so that their souls may be saved, and the Sacred Heart of Jesus may be consoled.