FIUV Position Papers Published

The book's cover

FIUV's book of the Position Papers, edited by Dr Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, has been finalised and is now available.This book is very useful to all those interested in the Roman Missal of 1962. It can be bought from this site.

The review below, by Archbishop Thomas Gullickson, Apostolic Nuncio to the Ukraine, says it all:

I think I would have enjoyed writing additional reviews [on my blog] and could have weighed in much more heavily on behalf of a project which has enjoyed my favour since I first became acquainted with it, namely The FIUV Papers on the Liturgy, which discuss specific issues concerning the 1962 Missal. The Papers have become one of the pillars of the internet presence of the Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce. The genius of the 13 papers, to my mind, is that they do indeed teach and quite comprehensively, offering important lessons about why we need to focus more or better on the very real issue of what to do about the rupture in the continuity of our liturgical tradition which has come to be and not through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. 

As important as it may be to get about the business of repairing, I find the work done by these papers to be of a prior importance to any decision about "reforming the... More > reform" or "rebooting" after choosing a restoration point and establishing principles for the organic development of a restored Roman Rite. The FIUV Papers on the Liturgy really grapple with what the Holy Father calls the mutual enrichment of the two forms of the Roman Rite. Without wanting to be a reductionist about assessing their worth, let me say simply that reading and ruminating over the FIUV Papers on the Liturgy could serve as a marvellous primer for anyone, clergy or laity, on how to address what often ends up being controversial, doing so in a very different and respectful manner.

Launching of position papers by FIUV

I am reproducing below an announcement from FIUV. It is important that we Maltese follow closely and contribute where possible. Godwin Xuereb

Dossier Liturgy

FIUV launches discussion papers on the 1962 Missal The Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce (FIUV) is launching a series of short 'position papers' on aspects of the 1962 Missal, with a view to stimulating debate on aspects of the 'Extraordinary Form' which have been criticised in the past, and might be subject to change in the future.

We have a two-fold goal. First, to contribute to a debate, which has been on-going since at least the mid 20th Century, about the theological appropriateness and pastoral effectiveness of (what is now, in the Holy Father's phrase) 'the former liturgical tradition'. We wish to equip those attached to this tradition with the best possible arguments, backed by the best authorities, for maintaining the organic integrity of this tradition, expressed as succinctly as possible but, we hope, comprehensible to a wide audience. We hope in this way to raise the standard of debate which takes place no longer only in the seminar room, but wherever Catholics meet, particularly on the internet.

Secondly, we do this in light of the Holy Father's letter to Bishops accompanying the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum:

For that matter, the two Forms of the usage of the Roman Rite can be mutually enriching: new Saints and some of the new Prefaces can and should be inserted in the old Missal. The "Ecclesia Dei" Commission, in contact with various bodies devoted to the usus antiquior, will study the practical possibilities in this regard.

The FIUV is not merely one among many 'bodies devoted to the EF', but is the only international body able to speak for the laity attached to this form of the liturgy. We were established in 1965, at the very beginning of the 'Traditional Movement', and represent a large and growing number of lay associations in North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia. We have been representing the views and needs of our member associations in Rome, and to the wider world, for nearly half a century.

Accordingly, we have set up a 'Liturgy and Spirituality Subcommittee' to coordinate the development and publication of these position papers. I (Joseph Shaw, coincidentally Chairman of the Latin Mass Society) am the Moderator of that Subcommittee, and in that capacity I am presenting these papers to the public, on Rorate Caeli, thanks to New Catholic's great hospitality.

Mass celebrated by Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, St Peter's, Rome, for the FIUV General Assembly, Nov 2011

While the Holy Father makes reference to two areas of possible change to the 1962 books, new Saints and Prefaces, debate about the future of these liturgical books is not limited to those matters. For that reason, and also because of the first mentioned purpose of these papers, we will be addressing topics on a wide range of issues. As well as an introductory paper, giving something of a disclaimer about our remit, the first six topics planned are:

The Service of Men and Boys at the Altar
Liturgical Piety and Participation
The Method of Receiving Communion
The Vulgate and Gallican Psalter
Liturgical Orientation
Holy Week