FIUV Meetings in Rome - 2006 (2)
25th – 27th September 2006
Following the resignation of Fra’ Fredrik Crichton-Stuart as President and the installation of First Vice-President Jack Oostveen in his place it was decided to send an FIUV delegation urgently to Rome to meet Vatican officials.
These meetings took place in Rome between 25th and 27th September 2006.
The FIUV delegation consisted of –
Mr. Jack Oostveen- President,
Mr. Leo Darroch – Acting Secretary,
Mrs. Monika Rheinschmitt – Treasurer,
Dr. Riccardo Turrini Vita, President of UV Italy.
Monday, 25th September 2006:
The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei:
The FIUV delegation (Mr Oostveen, Mr Darroch, and Mrs Rheinschmitt) met Mgr. Camille Perl, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. Mgr. Perl said that a document is being prepared by the Holy Father on the subject of giving greater freedom for the celebration of the traditional Mass. He also mentioned that the Holy Father has more options to liberalize the celebration of the traditional Mass and that it is up to the Holy Father to decide which option he will choose. He expected the document to be published before the end of the year. He also spoke of the co-existence of both rites – the first time this has been mentioned by the PCED.
The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith:
The FIUV delegation (Mr. Oostveen, Mr. Darroch, and Mrs. Rheinschmitt) met an official of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. He explained that Cardinal Levada, the Prefect, had asked him to meet us and that what we said would be passed up to the cardinal. Although the Congregation for the Faith is not directly involved in the regulation of the liturgy the delegates impressed upon the official how the faith is encapsulated in the Mass and that the faith is much more clearly expressed in the traditional liturgy (Mass and Sacraments) than in the new rite. The delegation also expressed the view that the resistance by many, clergy and laity, to the return of the traditional liturgy was directly related to a new theology that has emerged following the Second Vatican Council.
The FIUV delegates specifically raised the problem of the words of ‘Pro Omnibus’ (instead of Pro Multis) in the encyclical Ecclesia De Eucharistia on the Vatican website where official documents are published. This had been mentioned before in 2003 but the website is unchanged. Mr. Oostveen mentioned the official website of the Dutch bishops and its comments on the traditional liturgy and other matters of faith and promised to forward the website address to the Congregation and provide translations if required. The official took notes during our meeting and said he would give a full report to Cardinal Levada.
Tuesday, 26th September.
The Congregation for the Clergy:
We were met by Mgr. Thomas Röhr and Fr. Luciano Alimandi.
Present at the meeting were Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Mgr. Röhr, Fr. Alimandi, Mr. Oostveen, Mr. Darroch, Mrs. Rheinschmitt, and Dr. Turrini Vita.
The cardinal listened intently while Mr. Oostveen introduced everyone and explained about the Federation. The four members of the FIUV delegation then spoke about various matters and he allowed us to speak without interruption. We explained how the Federation is a lay organisation and we represent many lay organisations around the world. We had prepared a one page fact sheet about the FIUV, its formation, history, and current membership, and we presented him with a copy. We offered the support and assistance of the FIUV should his Eminence or the Holy Father consider it helpful. Although the Federation is a lay organisation we said that we also spoke for many good and faithful diocesan priests who love the traditional liturgy and would like greater freedom to celebrate the Mass and all the sacraments according to the liturgical books of 1962.
After listening intently his Eminence asked us what we wanted from him. He told us about his knowledge of the situation. After giving a brief explanation about the origins of the Mass he said it is not Latin, or Greek, or English, or any language, but Jesus Christ is the Mass and therefore the Holy Mass should not become a matter of constant battle of languages. The liturgical problem seems to him to be a matter of cultural perception than a matter of faith but he agreed that it is a very important matter for the spirituality of the faithful. He mentioned that he expressed this concern also to the Society of St. Pius X. We clarified that the FIUV is a lay organisation working within the parishes and dioceses and was formed to give a voice to the laity in dealings with bishops and with Rome.
Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos thanked the delegates for what the Federation is doing in the service of the Church and in trying to ensure the continuity of the traditional liturgy and sacred music. He urged us to carry on with our work and convince the bishops of the need for the traditional liturgy. We must pray unceasingly.
The delegates had prepared a statement (in Latin) of support for the Holy Father in these difficult days for him with threats and insults from certain sections of the Muslim community. His Eminence was very pleased when he read it and promised to give it to Pope Benedict on our behalf. We then presented him with a gift of a copy of a triptych from the English seminary of Ushaw College seminary in the diocese of Hexham and Newcastle. This painting shows St John Fisher and St Thomas More and some of the clergy and lay people who were martyred in England during the Reformation.
Meeting with Mgr. Thomas Röhr:
Mr. Oostveen, Mr. Darroch, and Mrs. Rheinschmitt returned later that day for an informal meeting with Mgr. Röhr. A wide range of subjects relating to the restoration of the traditional liturgy was discussed and Mgr. Röhr promised to pass on our points to the cardinal. This meeting lasted two hours. Mgr Röhr made one very interesting suggestion that the International Federation, and perhaps individual member associations, should link themselves to some charitable projects. This kind of activity would help enhance the reputation of the Federation and would be well received in Rome.
Wednesday 27th September.
The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.
The FIUV delegation of Mr. Oostveen, Mr. Darroch, and Mrs. Rheinschmitt was received by Archbishop Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, the Secretary of the Congregation. He met us alone and was immediately very welcoming and friendly. He wanted to know what he could do for us. We explained about the history and purpose of the Federation and gave him a fact sheet we had prepared. In a very wide-ranging discussion His Excellency emphasised that there is a need for a very serious debate on the liturgy and the Eucharist and looked to the Federation to play a full part in this debate.
Although the FIUV delegates were representing the laity we informed His Excellency that we knew of many good and faithful parish priests who yearned for the freedom to celebrate the traditional Mass and sacraments. As we left we presented Archbishop Ranjith with a framed picture of the Ushaw College triptych.
General Comment on the Meetings.
In view of the fact that our visit to Rome was arranged in haste we were surprised and gratified that we were so readily received by those whom we wished to see. But even more than this we were delighted with the manner in which we were received. Our reception was warm and welcoming and our conversations were relaxed and informative. We intend to continue with our contacts with the curial officials but on a more frequent basis so that the voice of the Federation will continue to be heard in Rome.