UNITY WITHIN THE CHURCH

Legality

The legitimacy of the Latin Mass Society is based on Canon 215 of the New Code of Canon Law (1983) which states clearly the right of the faithful, both clergy and laity, to found associations for religious purposes and to pursue these purposes in common. This fundamental right of association is confirmed by Canon 299.1 which states:

By private agreement among themselves, Christ's faithful have the right to constitute associations for the purposes mentioned in Canon 298.1,

namely to strive by common effort to exercise apostolic works including the promotion of public worship. In order to make this collaborative ministry more effective and so achieve their ecclesial aims, the faithful must have a legal basis for their common efforts. Hence the provision of canonical prescriptions to protect and underpin their just prerogatives and provide a legal framework within which the Church can 'serve' their aspirations.

Apostolate

The Latin Mass Society treasures the ancient liturgy as a perfect embodiment of the Faith and as the spiritual and cultural heritage of Western Christianity. Imbued with a spirit of obedience to the Vicar of Christ and to the hierarchical Church in communion with him, the Society exercises an important apostolate by making the traditional Roman rite of Mass better known, appreciated and honoured. Because the aims of the Society are primarily spiritual, it is fitting that its apostolate be supported by the ministry of the Church.

Orthodoxy

The Latin Mass Society accepts in a spirit of obedience all the sacramental, teaching and governing authority of the Church. Although the Society is not separated from or in opposition to the rest of the Church, the value of its apostolate is not generally recognised by the liturgical establishment which tends to view its activities as bearing adversely on the status quo. Thus a partisan spirit has developed which automatically opposes, as a matter of policy, the regular and frequent celebration of the former rites.

It was to correct this obstructive pattern of thought that Pope John Paul II wrote:

It is necessary that all the Pastors and the other faithful have a new awareness not only of the lawfulness but also of the richness for the Church of a diversity of charisms, traditions of spirituality and apostolate, which also constitutes the beauty of unity in variety.

(Ecclesia Dei 5a)

Common Mission

The Latin Mass Society should be seen as an integral part of the Church eloquently described by Vatican II as a communio of the faithful each of whom has "a vocation to the fullness of the Christian life and the perfection of charity" (Lumen Gentium 5). By sharing in this common mission of the Church the Latin Mass Society seeks to provide that 'fullness' of the spiritual life for those who can achieve it only through the provision of the traditional Latin Mass, Divine Office and former sacramental rites

Copyright © 1997 The Latin Mass Society