WORKING TOGETHER

Pastoral Care

It is the express will of Pope John Paul II that "respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition" (Ecclesia Dei, 6c) not simply by theoretical assent to the lawfulness of the former rites but by a wide and generous response to requests for their celebration. His Holiness also said : "In this matter I ask for the support of the bishops and all those engaged in the pastoral ministry in the Church." (ibid., 5c)

In this way the Pope was giving particular expression to the Church's teaching on the rights and duties of all the faithful as outlined in Vatican II's Lumen Gentium, 1964). It is clear from this authoritative document that the laity "have the right to receive abundant help from the sacred Pastors from the spiritual benefits of the Church", and that the Pastors "must always be attentive to the good of the children of God and ready to contribute their exertions to the pastoral needs of the whole diocese." But experience shows that, despite the Pope's exhortation and despite often overwhelming demands from the laity, it is by no means uncommon for priests to ignore the wishes of their parishoners and refuse to celebrate the Mass of their ordination,or even to allow their church to be used by a brother priest for that purpose.

A Blind Spot

Changes in the liturgy have proceeded on such a scale and at such a rate that a whole generation has now grown up without knowledge or appreciation of how their own parents and grandparents used to worship. There is a resulting tendency to push traditionally-minded members of the faithful to the margins of Church life by refusing or ignoring their legitimate requests for the old Mass. None of the reasons given is justified, and behind them all is a disturbing phenomenon: the growth of an anti-traditional esprit de corps among the clergy which is inimical to the values of many of the faithful and excludes their interests. It is as if the needs of a sector of the People of God, who also rank among the most devout, loyal and supportive members of the Church, have become 'invisible'.

This generalised lack of empathy with, or understanding of, the needs of today's Catholics has led to a situation unworthy of the Church. For where the rights of any of the faithful are no longer respected, not only is the dignity of each individual member of the Church mutilated, but harm is also done to the whole Body of Christ which suffers with them.

A Bridge of Communication

The Latin Mass Society offers a service to the Church by providing the means whereby the needs and desires of all traditionally-minded Catholics, whether they be its members or not, may be communicated to the hierarchy in a spirit of sincerity, moderation and respect towards their pastors.

A function of the Latin Mass Society is to educate public opinion so as to screen out prejudices or misunderstandings on either side which can lead to entrenched positions and a breakdown in dialogue. It is hoped that by maintaining a two-way channel of communication the Society will make the hierarchy aware of the real and very deep distress experienced by those who are denied access to their preferred form of spirituality, whilst the faithful, for their part, might be assured of the pastoral sensitivity and sympathetic concern of their local bishop.

Copyright © 1997 The Latin Mass Society