The Church in Malta's tacit approval of post Amoris Laetitia society

 

According to the Times of Malta of last Friday, former Maltese priest Vanni Xuereb stated that:

 

"I had mixed feelings when Archbishop Charles Scicluna asked me to form part of a national delegation that would be taking part in the (Re)Thinking Europe dialogue organised at the Vatican by the Commission of Bishops’ Conferences of the EU (COMECE) and the Holy See to mark the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Rome which established the European Economic Community."

 

Further on, he said:

 

"Undoubtedly, the highlight of the dialogue was the address by Pope Francis who, after his speech, greeted all participants individually. It was my first-ever close personal encounter with him. I have also had the privilege to meet both his immediate predecessors, however, on a personal note, this was the most meaningful since it is thanks to Pope Francis that I can still somehow identify with the Catholic Church.

At a moment in time when I felt I was drifting away because of what I was perceiving as an increasing irrelevance of the Church, this Pope has shown that there is a different way of being Church – one that is inclusive rather than exclusive."

According to slain journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, the former Fr Vanni Xuereb now lives with another person who has a son. This would explain his comment concerning Pope Francis but also his perceived distaste of Benedict XVI and Saint John Paul II.

 

One hopes that the Catholic Church in Malta is not going to step any further in the post-Amoris Laetitia world. Already enough damage is being done by the easy granting of Catholic 'divorces' nowadays. So why would a former priest be considered as the best person that the Catholic Church in Malta could choose to represent it? No doubt that Xuereb is very knowledgeable about the EU but such a choice still seems inappropriate in our point of view.

BREAKING NEWS: Malta's new Archbishop - Pro Tridentina (Malta) proven right?

Some weeks ago, this Blog had indicated who the contenders for the post of Archbishop of Malta were, in this article. 

In today's Times of Malta, Archbishop Joseph Spiteri is mentioned as the likely candidate. This confirms what we had stated, namely that the Archbishop could be:

a bishop held in high esteem, both locally and in Rome (we cannot indicate if he currently resides in Malta or not);

What this Blog can reveal is that the Vatican has already discarded the frontrunner. Those familiar with us know who that person is.

The official announcement can be expected sooner rather than later.

We reiterate, once again, that whoever will be selected as Malta's new Archbishop, he can count on Pro Tridentina (Malta)'s support and assistance to fully implement Summorum Pontificum in this island. Thus, traditional Catholics in Malta will be fully involved in the diocese they love so much.

Pro Tridentina (Malta) in the news

Yesterday's exclusive news (about Fr Fabio Attard) by this blog was given prominence by the local media, including:

• The Malta Independent 
• Illum (screenshot above)
• Inews Malta
• Times of Malta 

Interestingly, this news is being followed by both conservative and progressive Catholics alike.

Updated on 4 December to include Times of Malta link.

The Case for the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (1)

Monday, 23rd July 2007

On the road to Salvation

Fr Brendan Mark Gatt, Mosta.

The new Apostolic Letter, Summorum Pontificum, has indeed made it easier to use the 1962 Missal. However, as Pope Benedict notes, it should also highlight the innate beauty and greatness of the "modern" Roman Missal, since it is "a twofold use of one and the same rite", rather than a case of two rites.

Consequently, readers like Angelo Micallef (Mass In Latin, July 10) need not worry about the re-introduction of the 1962 Missal. It is not as though from September 14 onwards all Masses will be celebrated in Latin. No priest or group of faithful can impose the Latin Missal upon a congregation. One reason is practical: as Mr Micallef points out, few people nowadays (and precious few priests, I would add) understand Latin.

The Pope demands that those seeking Latin celebrations possess enough formation in liturgy and Latin to participate fruitfully. Otherwise we risk playing with the Mass.

Another reason is juridical: although the older Missal was never abrogated, it has now been clarified that its status is "extraordinary", whereas the 1970 Missal remains the ordinary one.

Mr Micallef refers to a Pope whom we honour and hail as a saint, probably Blessed John XXIII. Yet, the claim that he "worked tirelessly to reduce the importance of Latin" is a bit of a caricature and has nothing to do with his greatness. Pope John (who did much to bring the Church in step with the times) is only indirectly responsible for the liturgical reform: he died soon after the inauguration of Vatican Council II. Ironically, we owe the very Missal being facilitated by Summorum Pontificum to him, since it was published in 1962 under his authority.

Rather, it was Pope Paul VI (unfairly labelled by some nostalgics as "weapon of Mass destruction") who sought to make the liturgy more accessible to a people sadly no longer conversant with Latin. A tragic side effect to this renewal was the whole gamut of abuse which crept in under its cover: from general apathy, to priests who thoughtlessly modify liturgical texts (thus disrespecting both liturgy and faithful); from hosts with chocolate chips or raisins added to them (to liven them up, presumably), to Masses interrupted halfway through for a barbecue (ostensibly to emphasise the meal aspect). And, finally, the pièce de résistance: a Halloween Mass in costume, featuring an extraordinary minister distributing Communion, dressed as a devil! No wonder some disgruntled Catholics feel that the liturgy has been debased.

The Church's history is painfully littered with relatively small misunderstandings that became long-lasting divisions. Hence, our seeking for reconciliation must extend on many fronts. The "lifting of the veil" applies above all to us. It demands humility and generosity, both internally (extending the olive branch to all dissenters, be they Lefebvrites or liberals) and externally (a will to share our spiritual riches). The much-maligned prayer for the Jews must be viewed in this light: a tribute to the Chosen People, and a prayer that those who first received the promise of salvation may understand that it has indeed been fulfilled. I find that uplifting, not insulting.

Godwin Xuereb, Pro Tridentina (Malta) President's comment: a not so recent contribution, first published in the Times of Malta, but still valid as far as the situation in Malta is concerned. It shows what an uphill struggle people who are in favour of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite face in Malta.