Society of St John Vianney

Reconciliation with the Holy See

On the 18th January 2002, the feast of St Peter's Chair in Rome, there occurred one of the most significant and encouraging events to have taken place in the on-going battle for authentic Catholic tradition. A group of some 30 priests and 30,000 faithful with 50 churches and 100 chapels in the diocese of Campos, Brazil which had refused to adopt the Missal of 1970, was granted full recognition by the Vatican and permitted to continue to use pre-Vatican II liturgical books with the blessing of the Holy See. The fact that the Holy See took no steps to impose the new Missal in Campos from 1970 to 1981 must be accepted at least as tacit recognition of the continuing legitimacy of the Missal of 1962. The bishop in the diocese during this time was Mgr Antonio de Castro Mayer.

Co-operation with Mgr Lefebvre

In 1979 Mgr de Castro Mayer, profoundly and persistently shocked by post-conciliar liturgical abuses went to Rome for an ad limina visit and was warmly received by Pope John Paul II. During the same trip to Europe the Brazilian bishop made a visit to Mgr Lefebvre and from that point onwards his relations with the society of St Pius X saw an increasing rapprochement culminating in 1998 with the, now well known, episcopal consecrations and subsequent excommunications.

The Resistance Begins

Following the retirement of Mgr de Castro Mayer in 1981 a liberal bishop was appointed to the diocese and he immediately attempted to impose the new Mass on all priests under his jurisdiction Thirty refused to abandon the traditional Mass and were 'expelled' from their churches Thus in all the principal towns in the diocese there were two churches. A new one where the traditional Mass was celebrated for capacity congregations, and the original one where a handful of people assisted at the new rite Mass.

The traditional priests of Campos formed themselves into the Priestly Union of St Jean-Marie Vianney, one of their number who had been closest to Mgr de Castro Mayer, Mgr Licinio Rangel, was consecrated by a bishop of the Society of St Pius X. This was only for the purpose of ordaining priests and conferring confirmations. Mgr Rangel made no claim to possess jurisdiction in the diocese of Campos. While there can be no doubt that the priests of Campos were always in communion with the Holy See, they were acting outside the jurisdiction of the Pope, and so this communion was not perfect.

Towards Reconciliation

The priests of the Union of St John Vianney were prepared to accept the new militantly liberal bishop, Mgr Carlos Navarro as the lawful bishop of Campos. They were prepared to work within his jurisdiction provided that he recognised their right to use the pre-Vatican II liturgical books. This was refused and so they withheld their obedience. Subsequent bishops were, however, not so hostile to tradition. This was of great importance as there was no possibility of Rome extending recognition to the Union without the consent of the diocesan bishop.

Motivated by his profound sensus catholicus Mgr Rangel did not wish an abnormal situation within the Priestly Union to continue indefinitely. He made the firsts steps towards reconciliation with Rome in 2000 and met Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos (Prefect of the Sacred Congregation for the Clergy and President of the Pontifical Commission 'Eclessia Dei'). This resulted in correspondence between the Union and Rome which eventually led to full remission of the previous censure.

Papal Letter

Pope John Paul II in a letter to Mgr Lincio Rangel and all members of the Priestly Union of St John Marie-Vianney dated 25 December 2001 states: "With the greatest pastoral joy we accept your desire to cooperate with the successor of Blessed Peter in the Propagation of the Catholic Faith and its teaching, zealous for the honour of the Holy Church. the Pope gives thanks to God and proceeds to grant the Priestly Union's petition to be admitted to full communion with the Catholic Church and recognises that they belong to her canonically. The Priestly Union is to be a Personal Apostolic Administrature in the territory of the diocese of Campos, the Administrator of which will have cumulative jurisdiction with regard to the diocesan Ordinary. He confirms that the Administrature has the faculties to celebrate the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the hours according to the rite promulgated by the authority of Pope St Pius V and as revised under Pope John XXIII".

Our Opinion

The Latin Mass Society considers this reconciliation to be the most significant and encouraging event in the battle for the return of authentic Catholic tradition. The appointment of Bishop Rangel as Apostolic Administrator with cumulative jurisdiction in his diocese is unique within the traditional movement. The authority vested in him by the Holy Father allows him to actively promote the traditional Mass and provide for the needs of the traditional faithful. The Priestly Union of St John Marie-Vianney is the first traditional Fraternity to be granted re-integration. Dialogue with other groups remains open, but time is in God's hands.

Rejoice

His Eminence Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Clergy, in the name of the Holy Father, canonically erected the Personal Apostolic Administrature and named Bishop Licinio Rangel the Apostolic Administrator at the solemn ceremony in the Basilica Cathedral of the Most Holy Saviour, Campos on 18th January 2002.

[Taken from the Latin Mass Society's May 2002 Newsletter.]

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