Statment on the Report of the French Bishops' Conference

 Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce:

Statement on the Report of the French Bishops’ Conference (CEF) 

on the Implementation of Summorum Pontificum

The FIUV has become aware of a document, in the public domain, containing a summary of the responses made by French bishops to the questionnaire sent to them by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, on the subject of the implementation of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum. Although this document does not appear to have been intended for publication, its authenticity has not been denied, and a reaction to it seems necessary.

We note first that the document adopts a consistently hostile tone towards the ancient Latin liturgical tradition, to the priests who celebrate it, and to the faithful who attend it. This has understandably caused considerable hurt among French Catholics attached to this tradition. The document does not speak, on behalf of the bishops of France, about these sons and daughters of the Church with the words of a shepherd and father. In the words of Una Voce France, we do not find

… the slightest trace of empathy, cordiality, or ‘heart’ in them as they say in one place. Instead, we find contempt, at best indifference, towards those narrow-minded beings, without theology, without charity, that are the faithful to the ancient Latin Mass. A Mass that so many generations followed, and from which they nourished their faith ... which is ours today.[1]

Una Voce France statement on the French Bishops' Conference report on Summorum Pontificum

Below is the statement of Una Voce France with an English translation; it can be seen in French on their website here.

The document of the French Bishops' Conference referred to can be seen in French here.

Summary of the results of the Consultation on the application of the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum by the CEF
 (Conference of Bishops of France)

La Conférence des Évêques de France a publié une « Synthèse des résultats de la Consultation sur l’application du Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum demandée par la Congrégation pour la Doctrine de la Foi en avril 2020. Le sujet nous concerne et nous tient même à cœur. Nous aimerions vous faire part de notre opinion…

The Conference of Bishops of France published a “Summary of the results of the Consultation on the application of the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum” requested by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in April 2020. The subject concerns us and is even close to our hearts. We would like to give you our opinion...

Les « experts » et « secrétaires » de la Conférence Épiscopale de France (C.E.F.) ne déçoivent décidément jamais ! Comme le précise un bon ami lettré, quand ils traduisent les encycliques, ils sont les seuls au monde à saboter le travail, traduisant Spe salvi par « Tous sauvés », et incapables d’imprimer correctement les deux mots grecs de saint Paul que cite Fratelli Tutti : chrêstotês et agathôsunê (tous deux désignent la bonté).

The “experts” and “secretaries” of the Episcopal Conference of France (C.E.F.) never disappoint! As a good friend with a good knowledge of Latin and Greek put it, when they translate the encyclicals, they are the only ones in the world to sabotage the work, translating Spe salvi as "All saved", and unable to print correctly the two Greek words of Saint Paul quoted by Fratelli Tutti: chrêstotês and agathôsunê (both designate goodness).