“Personally I don’t think it needs to be added to an already crowded seminary programme because it’s a skill that can be learned later in a priest’s life.”
Thank you for your personal opinion Your Excellency. It shares with us something of your own journey, and where you personally are at at this time. It helps us to understand this challenging moment in your ongoing ministry, and how difficult it can be to adjust to changes in the continuing development of the Church’s worship life. It must be hard just being you in this pontificate.
Seminarians in England might have a different personal opinion. The Pimpernel wonders whether the diversity and inclusivity, which His Excellency has so often promoted, will apply to differences of personal opinion on this matter in the seminary of the Archdiocese of Westminster? Or will this be yet another demonstration of the illiberal tyranny perpetrated by self-styled liberal clergy?
"It helps us to understand this challenging moment in your ongoing ministry, and how difficult it can be to adjust to changes in the continuing development of the Church’s worship life."
ReplyDeleteWere you on a course?
"Seminarians in England might have a different personal opinion. The Pimpernel wonders whether the diversity and inclusivity, which His Excellency has so often promoted, will apply to differences of personal opinion on this matter in the seminary of the Archdiocese of Westminster"?
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------------
It is the archbishop's personal opinion which will matter in the end. First, some seminarians may have to learn the importance of obedience before they learn anything about this museum piece liturgy which the archbishop appears to think is not the highest priority in their curriculum.
In which case, the archbishop would be correct.
Abp. Nichols' statement avoids the greater and more pressing crisis behind the question of EF training. Seminarians in many countries are not receiving the thorough Latin education that is not merely a nice option but a serious obligation. The denial of a thorough Latin education results in the imprisonment of clergy to the liturgical establishment.
ReplyDeleteFor many years rectors of diocesan seminaries and houses of religious formation have denied sufficient Latin education to seminarians. This denial is intrinsically tied to the desire to keep new priests from deconstructing liturgical texts and Vatican pronouncements. A truly "diverse" and "progressive" liturgical establishment would welcome the variety of liturgical convictions engendered through the study of Latin-proficient priests. And yet, the only diversity permitted is a diversity that does not threaten Catholic progressivism.
Priests cannot be true pastors, teachers, and participants in the liturgical life of the Church without immersion in Latin and Latinitas.
Anonymous: First, some seminarians may have to learn the importance of obedience before they learn anything about this museum piece liturgy which the archbishop appears to think is not the highest priority in their curriculum.
ReplyDeleteSmart young clergy will teach themselves how to say the EF even without formal classwork. Many will even teach themselves passable Latin past the second year course (if even a second year course is offered). Once the seminarians are ordained, they are free to say at least Low Mass whenever they want unless the Abp. has very strict rules on bination or trination.
After Universae Ecclesiae, there's little Abp. Nichols or any bishop anywhere can do to impede the EF other than deny EF-devoted priests papal honors or a pastorate. There will always be devoted priests who would rather say the EF than have that coveted Mons. before their name.
After Universae Ecclesiae, there's little Abp. Nichols or any bishop anywhere can do to impede the EF other than deny EF-devoted priests papal honors or a pastorate
ReplyDelete-------------------------------------------
I can think of countless devilish ways to impede anything a priest wants to do against the wishes of his bishop. Just for starters, suddenly being transferred to become a prison chaplain in western Australia, or suddenly finding a new career serving communion to a convent of novus ordo-loving elderly nuns in Alice Springs.
If you think that can't happen or won't happen, think again.