It should be noted that the students at Oscott merely asked for Mass in the usus antiquior to be celebrated from time to time in their seminary. They did not ask, as far as we know, to be taught how to celebrate Mass in that form. However, this is something that they would have been perfectly justified in asking.
Clause 21 of universae ecclesiae, the document issued by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei to clarify various issues arising out of the Holy Father's motu proprio, summorum pontificum, states the following:-
Ordinaries are asked to offer their clergy the possibility of acquiring adequate preparation for celebrations in the forma extraordinaria. This applies to seminarians, where future priests should be given proper formation, including study of Latin and, where pastoral needs suggest it, the opportunity to learn the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.
There are two points made here.
Firstly, bishops are requested to provide all clergy with the option of learning the older form of the Mass.
Secondly, if there are pastoral needs, bishops should provide seminarians with tuition in Latin, and the option of studying the older form of the Mass.
It seems that, through the rector of Oscott College, the bishops of the Midlands and the North are, not only saying that the students cannot have Mass in the older form at their college, but also that they are not prepared to to assist in their acquiring the skills necessary to celebrate the older form when they are ordained.
The action taken in both these cases is contrary to the expressed wished of the Holy Father.
Easter III
40 minutes ago
2 comments:
Surely if our bishops became 'complete' bishops they themselves would (& should) be able to celebrate the fullness of the Roman Rite i.e both Ordinary & Extraordinary Forms. If this were the case they might then understand what great benefits are accrued from the EF & celebrate it more often themselves & encourage not only seminarians but the laity generally to learn & attend such celebrations.
I have suggested that the LMS approach the nuncio & ask that only clergy willing & able to celebrate the complete (OF & EF) forms of the Roman Rite be considered as bishops.
The usual question applies for me; "what are they afraid of?"
A good suggestion, David, and one that the LMS might take up. However, there is a downside. Had this policy been in place, we would never have had Bishop Mark davies. Since he has never learned any Latin, he would have difficulty with the traditional Mass.
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