An anticlerical and gay activist on the Tridentine Mass

 

The Maltese-Australian lawyer Joseph Carmel Chetcuti needs no introduction to the Maltese public. He himself admitted in a comment 10 months ago as follows: 

"I have been described as anticlerical and I have embraced that description with pride. Clericalism is not grounded in the New Testament. It is merely a fabrication of some men designed to benefit these very men. In recent years clericalism has benefited a closeted homosexual and pedophile hierarchy. They even proclaim their own 'saints'. And as a gay activist I am proud to have played a very minor role towards the devastation of clericalism. With the advent of modern gay liberation, the seminaries and friaries have virtually been obliterated. And I was one of those who left the friary for gay liberation. What the Catholic Church needs now is a reformation from within. But of course they will blame modernism and secularism and atheists and agnostics and what have you. A nice way to deflect attention from the miserable way these clerics have run the church."

In his book, Queer Mediterranean Memories,  Chetcuti speculates on the sexual orientation of various prominent people including Saint Paul and Saint George Preca among others.

It came therefore as a welcome surprise when, in a recent exchange of views with Pro Tridentina (Malta) he said the following (my emphasis) about the Tridentine Mass:

" Oh pleeease! Whom are you kidding? Try pulling the other leg. BTW, I was there and present at a mass when Marcel Lefebvre visited Australia many moons ago.

...

Well it is many years ago. I think it was in the 1980s as I moved to Melbourne in late 1982. There is no denying, however, that the Tridentine mass has a sense of magic (or better still, a sense of wonder) which is lacking today. He reminded me a bit of Gonzi!"

 

Archbishop Michael Gonzi

In this archive article from The Tablet, one can see that Malta immediately started implementing (wrongly) the Second Vatican Council, whereas laity in other countries had already founded the FIUV in 1965. We all know the results ... as the Maltese saying goes: "Il-qattusa għaġġelija frieħ għomja tagħmel".

Some food for thought for us, as the new Pro Tridentina (Malta) Committee is gearing for the challenges ahead.

AGGIORNAMENTO IN MALTA

DEAR SIR,

 

Your special correspondent, in reporting on the aggiornamento in Malta in THE TABLET of December 24th, 1966, took care to check his facts and was kind enough to offer practical suggestions. For this we are grateful. Unlike him, "Observer," in his letter in THE TABLET of January 7th, 1967, based his statements on " rumours " and " impressions " and declined to suggest remedies.

For the record, I have checked each of his examples and the following are my findings: 

 

(a) After his summer audience with Pope Paul, Archbishop Gonzi informed the college of parish priests, the cathedral chapter, and several other persons, among whom the undersigned, that the Pope, without being asked to, had asked him to continue in office.

(b) In 1966, Archbishop Gonzi lifted the ban on the Labour Party unilaterally in order to respond to the new climate of the conciliar Church. Earlier during the year, before the elections, the Labour press had been very emphatic about this climate and, at one stage, even commended the pre-election pastoral letter.

(c) The pastoral council is due to meet every month and not, as "Observer " stated, every quarter. The first two meetings were lively but, as was shown in the report circulated to the press, constructive. The archbishop explicitly asked members to put forward their frank views in a spirit of charity. During its January meeting it voted on the first, fifty-page draft of the Maltese pastoral plan.

(d) Contrary to what "Observer " stated, the new organisations are not the monopoly of a few individuals. The pastoral council has been criticised as being too big because of its fifty members (of whom twenty-six are laymen). The council of the Maltese sisters' conference is formed by representatives of each of the female religious institutes. Young priests have been appointed to new full-time offices to serve youth, labour, and to direct research and reorganisation.

(e) As regards the liturgy, Canon Houtart of FERES reported that he had found the people aware of its essentials when he personally surveyed the pastoral situation of Malta in 1958. Today, they flock to weekday Masses celebrated in Maltese, and join in congregational singing supervised by the liturgy commission. There are no hints of a movement for return to the Latin Mass in Malta.

(f) In the field of ecumenism, Archbishop Gonzi takes part or sends a representative to the major interconfessional services and meetings. Some time ago he invited the "high dignitary" mentioned by "Observer" for tea. The latter's feeling of isolation could be due to other reasons: few speak French in Malta, and few residents belong to his community.

(g) The Catholic press is being reviewed. Meanwhile it is absurd to state that one of the foremost Catholic papers mounted a campaign against the use of the clergyman suit by priests. There were letters in favour and against in most of the papers which found space for this particular issue.

(h) The PRS never formed or tried to form a conference for female religious. Like the Fathers Provincial, it is aware that this is the competence of the ordinary. In fact, Archbishop Gonzi, after consulting the Congregation of Religious, invited Fr. G. B. Andretta to launch the new conference. The PRS prepared the way by taking a census of female religious and by providing office facilities.

These and other "external changes" may not be enough, but they are a beginning. They must not be allowed to encourage a false sense of security and complacency. But they not only do not prove but actually challenge "Observer's" non sequitur that our heart is not in aggiornamento.  

 

Yours sincerely, 

 

(Rev.) BENJAMIN TONNA 

65 Old Mint Street,

Valletta, Malta. 

(Director, PRS).

A great priest who interpreted correctly Vatican II

In this historical week, Pope Benedict XVI argued that, after the Second Vatican Council, the liturgy was trivialised and sacredness was understood as a purely pagan thing and these outlooks became fixed ideas. “The translation and trivialisation of the idea of the Council – he went on to explain – led to the event being read outside the context of faith.” (meeting with parish priests in Rome, 14 February 2013).
 
Fifty years after the Council, this false vision is now melting away, letting the “real Council” shine through. The Pope therefore urged clerics to ensure that the Council finds full expression in today’s world as well.

Unlike what some people might think, Pro Tridentina (Malta), albeit in favour of the Tridentine Mass, is not against the Novus Ordo Missae. It is against the abuses that a number of priests indulge into during its celebration (be it lack of reverence, hastily celebrated Mass, etc.).

The following extracts are from an article on the Sunday Times about the late Fr Alberto Borg OSA on the first anniversary of his death. May others follow the example of this generous priest, (who I remember in his last years at St. Augustine's Church, Valletta). This article clearly shows that Fr Borg interpreted correctly the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, by not neglecting Latin as well as enhancing the Novus Ordo Missae in Maltese.

********

Musicians have an important and necessary function in the liturgy. Whether fully trained professionals or enthusiastic amateurs, all must remember that the purpose of the music is to implement the liturgy, and not to entertain the faithful or glorify themselves. The motto of all ought to be: Non nobis Domine, sed nomini tuo da gloriam! (Not to us, Lord, but to your name be all glory!).

... With his death a year ago, on February 11, 2012, at the age of 92, Malta lost a true example of a great priest and a dedicated musician.

... In January 1945, after obtaining his A.Mus.LCM diploma, Archbishop Michael Gonzi nominated Fr Borg maestro di cappella of both the Mdina and Valletta Cathedrals and as music teacher at the Archbishop’s Seminary (a post he held until 1992).

In 1946, Fr Borg was sent to Rome to complete his musical studies at the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra, founded by Pope Pius X, graduating as Master in Gregorian chant and in composition in 1949. He always considered himself lucky to have had teachers such as Licinio Refice, Ferruccio Vignanelli, Luigi Ronga, Hubert Descrocquettes, Joseph Gajard and Igino Angles, all well known in the musical world.

... In 1979, Fr Borg was appointed part-time lecturer at the University of Malta, and in 1985, at the Augustinian Institute, Valletta. He also directed the Sacred School of Music. As teacher, composer and director, reviving old music from the Maltese music archives was a matter very close to his heart.

... Fr Borg was deeply convinced that Gregorian chant was the music that most befitted the Roman Catholic Church, and thus went all out to teach it to seminarians and religious. In this he had the enthusiastic support of the late Mgr Albert Pantalleresco, who served as rector of the Major Seminary between 1951 and 1963. In fact, in the 1950s and 1960s, when many were taking up the vocation to the priesthood, the Seminary choir was renowned for its interpretation of Gregorian music.

Apart from his love for Gregorian chant, Fr Borg also taught and conducted music by 20th- century composers like Refice and Lorenzo Perosi. His main contribution, however, was his ability to instil in seminarians and religious a love for sacred music. In fact, after their ordination, many of these went on to set up reputable choirs in their parishes. The most noteworthy choirs were those of Żurrieq, St Julian’s, and Ħamrun (St Cajetan), led by Fr Michael Damato, Fr Guido Calleja and Fr Joseph Cachia, respectively.

As maestro di cappella he was greatly admired and esteemed by both Archbishop Gonzi and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca. Besides, in 2006, Pope Benedict XVI awarded him the cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for promoting sacred music in Malta.

Fr Borg also composed different Masses in Latin and Maltese, including Quddiesa tal-Mejtin and Quddiesa tal-Poplu t’Alla.

A member of the Metropolitan Commission for Music for several years, Fr Borg composed all the liturgical hymns of the missal, including the Exultet. In response to the liturgical reform designed by Vatican Council II, he joined up with Oliver Friggieri, a student of his, to produce hymns in Maltese, such as Ħenn Għalina and B’Qalbna Safja, which soon became staples in Maltese churches.

He also composed antiphons, introits, graduals, motets, psalms and polyphonic compositions for Holy Week and the Easter triduum such as the Turba dei Giudei, Amicus Meus and Velum Templi. Most of these were presented in an evening of Polyphonic Chant for Holy Week at St John’s Co-Cathedral on March 12, 1986, directed by Mro Borg himself.

It is due to Mro Alberto Borg, OSA, that to this day we can benefit from the sacred music which adorns the whole liturgical year with popular hymns which Maltese and Gozitans alike still sing and know from memory.

End of an era





 With the death of former Maltese Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, the era of the giant politicians (Anthony Mamo, Guido de Marco and Ċensu Tabone) that shaped postwar Maltese history has come to an end*.

Without going into the merits of Chuch - State relations between Mintoff and the Maltese Catholic Church, which still needs to be written without biases, this is the time of prayer for the repose of his soul.

It is shameful that unlike other illustrious deaths (of the personalities mentioned above) some Maltese have indulged in celebrating Mintoff's death and also some of the comments posted in local newspapers and blogs are simply revolting.

Update 23 August 2012:

A certain Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith who the Catholic Herald defines as 'a Catholic priest and a doctor of moral theology' wrote an article about his personal recollections of the late Premier.

* Included are those who died in the past 5 years.

Malta's next Cardinal

Fr. Prospero Grech OSA with Pope Benedict XVI (Photo by courtesy of the Order of Saint Augustine)

Before the Angelus Prayer offered on the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Benedict XVI announced the creation of 22 new Cardinals. Among them was our own Fr Prospero Grech OSA, presently and for decades a member of the community of Collegio Santa Monica, Rome. Father Grech, age 86, a well-known and highly respected Scripture Scholar will become the second Maltese Cardinal.

Letter of the Augustinians' Prior General

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

It is with great joy that I send this communication, to share with you the news that the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, announced today that our brother, Fr Prosper Grech, of the Province of Malta and long-time resident at the International College of St. Monica in Rome, has been chosen to become a Cardinal.

Today, January 6th, the Pope announced his decision to celebrate a Concistory on February 18th, with the intention of creating 22 new cardinals. Among the names of those chosen, is our brother Fr Grech. Fr Prosper, 86 years of age, entered the Order in Malta in 1943, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1950. He has served for many years in Rome, almost all of them as a member of the community at St. Monica’s. He is a well known professor of Sacred Scripture, and has been a professor at various universities in Rome, especially the Biblicum, but also the Lateran and Gregorian Universities. He is the co-founder and first President of our Patristic Institute, the Augustinianum. He has also collaborated with numerous dicasteries of the Holy See, especially the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In his proclamation made today, the Holy Father announced with great joy the Concistory for creating new Cardinals, among whom he has chosen outstanding churchmen who are especially distinguished for their service to the Church. Our brother Fr Prosper Grech was one of those chosen.

For this we are deeply grateful to God and to our Holy Father Pope Benedict. We express our congratulations to Fr Grech and we rejoice in this recognition of his many years of service, especially in his dedication to the study and teaching of the Word of God.

Fr Robert F. Prevost OSA
Prior General

Episcopal Ordination

Fr Grech will be ordained bishop in the Co-Cathedral of Saint John, Valletta, Malta, on Wednesday, 8 February, 2012. His episcopal coat of arms is diagonally divided into two equal parts with the Maltese cross on a red background on one side and the coat of arms of the Order of St Augustine on a dark blue background on the other. The motto chosen is In te Domine speravi.

Concistory

The Concistory during which the future Fr Prospero will become Cardinal is to be held on the morning of Saturday, 18 February, in Saint Peter's Basilica. The following day the new Cardinals will concelebrate Mass with the Holy Father also in Saint Peter's.

Highlights from his Biography

Born 1925 in Birgu, Malta, Grech studied at the Lyceum and served as gunner of the University Home Guard during the Second World War.

Grech joined the Augustinian Order in 1943 and seven years later was ordained at San Giovanni Laterano in Rome. After graduating Doctor of Theology from the Gregorian University, Rome (1953), Grech conducted research in Semitic languages at Oxford (1957-58) and Cambridge (1958-59) Universities.

Fr Prospero Grech served as professor at the Augustine Institute, Rome and founded the Istituto Patristico Augostinianum, Rome in 1970. He is a member of the Societas Studiorum Novi Testamenti (SNTS) and member of the Pontifical Biblical Commission. He has lectured for over thirty years at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome on hermeneutics.

Fr Grech was professor of Biblical Theology at the Lateran University, Rome, Counsellor to the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith and Secretary of the Maltese Augustinian province. He was also nominated Apostolic Visitor for seminaries in India.

Fr Grech and the Popes

During the time of the conclave that elected Paul VI in 1963, just two hours before the Pope was elected, Cardinal Montini asked Fr Grech to hear his confession.

Fr Grech was a great personal friend of Cardinal Albino Luciani when the latter was still Patriarch of Venice. The cardinal used to take up residence at the Augustinian College in Rome whenever he was in the capital to attend meetings of the Italian Bishops’ Conference. Fr Grech used to celebrate Mass and have lunch together with Cardinal Luciani.

The very first letter Pope John Paul I wrote soon after he was elected in August 1978 was one of thanks to Fr Grech for the hospitality and friendship he had always received at St Monica’s Augustinian College.

Pope John Paul II occasionally invited Cardinal Ratzinger, who was then Secretary of the Congregation of the Faith, to lunch. Fr Grech would also be invited.

Political 'involvement'

Fr Grech was also involved in negotiations between the Malta Labour Party (MLP) and the Vatican when attempts were made to solve Malta’s politico-religious dispute of the 1960s. Dom Mintoff, then Labour leader, wanted to start discussions with the Vatican about pending issues and asked Fr Grech to intervene so that negotiations could start.

Fr Grech accepted the invitation and immediately informed the Vatican’s Secretariat of State about this request. He was asked to tell Mr Mintoff to put down in writing what the MLP leader was proposing. Subsequently Fr Grech met Mr Mintoff and returned to the Vatican with the proposals.

After examining them, the Secretariat of State told Fr Grech that the proposals could be a basis for discussion. He was then instructed to inform Malta's Archbishop Michael Gonzi what had happened so that negotiations could start. However, when Fr Grech informed the Archbishop in writing and explained what had happened, Gonzi was furious.

Mr Mintoff was no less infuriated when he learned of the Maltese bishops’ reactions to his plans which had been made public. Both the Archbishop and Mr Mintoff were less than grateful to Fr Grech. According to reliable sources Fr Grech’s involvement in the whole matter could have cost the prominent Biblical scholar his chance to be nominated auxiliary bishop of Malta.

On 13 December 2011, Fr Grech received the honour of Companion of the National Order of Merit by President George Abela, in the name of the government and people of Malta. This honour and especially his nomination to the College of Cardinals more than make up for the unfair treatment he received decades ago.