A sample letter to a bishop to for an E.F. Mass

[corsair]

Back in 2008 Una Voce used to have a sample letter and a procedure for the start of the petition. Our Latin Mass Society followed its advise to the letter and its appears to have worked.
Step one is to gather the signitures in a petition format. Then petiton the local priest.

When we did this our priest said he had never even seen a TLM so he couldn’t help. So we told him thank you but not to worry because that is what the Bishop is for. So we sent a copy of the petiton, a copy of our letter to the priest and his response to the Bishop. His Excellency tried to ignore us so we sent a second copy. Still no response. So we sent him a third copy with a copy of a letter Petitioning the Ecclesia Dei Commission. This last package to Rome was the “straw” that broke the log jam.

It was shortly thereafter we were informed that FSSP was being invited into the Archdiocese. That happened in October of 2008, three months after we were allowed to have a Dominican Rite low Mass, monthly.

So now with a new Archbishop we are on the verge of getting a monthly TLM. I have a feeling our little group is being used as a training site for a few priests as two are scheduled to share the duties for starters.

Keep the Faith and pray.

 

[Jehoshua]

I was under the impression that a petition to the local priest by a stable group was all that is required for the implementation of the extraordinary form according to the motu propriu Summorum Pontificum.

I suggest that instead of going to the bishop first you instead go to the local priest first, and then only if he is unable to implement one due to lack of knowledge, or won’t learn how to celebrate or even consider a future implementation of one due to other reasons. Only then would I consider sending a letter to the bishop. If possible in such a scenario than it also may be good to get some members of the clergy (your parish priests, and perhaps other priests who are sympathetic) to support you in your petition. Clerical support is always a good thing when petitioning the bishop.

 

[malphono]

I was under the impression that a petition to the local priest by a stable group was all that is required for the implementation of the extraordinary form according to the motu propriu Summorum Pontificum.

I suggest that instead of going to the bishop first you instead go to the local priest first, and then only if he is unable to implement one due to lack of knowledge, or won’t learn how to celebrate or even consider a future implementation of one due to other reasons. Only then would I consider sending a letter to the bishop. If possible in such a scenario than it also may be good to get some members of the clergy (your parish priests, and perhaps other priests who are sympathetic) to support you in your petition. Clerical support is always a good thing when petitioning the bishop.

Yes, that impression is correct. As far as I’m concerned, it’s best to not involve the bishop unless absolutely necessary.

 

[JReducation]

Along with some of the very good suggestions that you have received, allow me to highlight some points that I would cut. I hope that I can say this with honesty, not arrogantly. As a man who has a Doctorate in Theolgoy I can tell you that some language that people use sounds contrived, because we don’t use it in today’s theological discussion, unless we’re quoting an older document. Your bishop is also a Doctor either in theology, divinity, ministry, philosophy, canon law or history. That’s a requirement in order to be a bishop. He’s going to read this the same way that I am reading it and wonder, why are you speaking in language that is not the language of today’s theological scholar or today’s bishop. It can sound as if you’re trying to “kiss up” as kids say. I’m going to highlight in red what I would take out.

"Your Excellency,

In a letter to a bishop you use colon after Excellency, not comma. A comma indicates familiarity. When writing to clergy, religious and politicians you always write from the bottom up. It’s the proper protocol.

It is the humble wish of all the undersigned that a regular, licit

Try starting by asking for his help. “We wish to participate in the Extraordinary Form of the mass. Therefore, we turn to you for assistance in this matter.”

Mass in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite be established in the Archdiocese of X, in accordance with the wishes of H.H. Pope Benedict XVI in his 2007 motu proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum.

SP did not actually say that there had to be an EF mass, but that there can be. You don’t want to tell the bishop, “You have to do this because the pope said so.” That’s not exactly the way the pope said it. Let’s continue.

We have established, in the name of God, a stable and committed group pining for the Mass as it was approved of in twenty-second session of the Council of Trent.

Try "desirous of worshipping in the Extraodinary Form. Leave out the rest. Anyone with a theology degree knows the origin of the Tridentine Form and also knows that the current EF is a reformed version of the Tridentine Form, which is why Pope Benedict carefully chooses the Extraordinary Form and makes reference to the missal of 1962… It’s not the Holy Father’s wish to go back to the form approved by Trent, only as far as 1962. You can refer to the EF of 1962.

In this petition we offer you no guile or bitterness; instead, our tone is that of hope, in faith and with charity.

Just tell him that you are willing to submit to his decision, but it is your hope that he will consider your request.

Our Holy Father, the gloriously-reigning pope, has initiated his own reform of the reform. In this spirit, the undersigned wholly believe that the reform can be informed by the institution of a regular Tridentine Mass in X.

Don’t say this about the Holy Father. The institutional Church does not speak this way about the pope. You may want to say something to the effect that the upcoming reform and the institution of an regular celebration of the mass in the Extraordinary Form can compliment each other and enrich the liturgical life of the local Church. Avoid over using the word “diocese”.

By its beautiful tradition, its invocation of the faith of our ancient fathers, and its link to so many of the blessed saints,

we believe that celebration of the Mass according to the liturgical books of 1962 would encourage Roman Catholics in X to love Christ and His Church more perfectly.

You don’t need to say this, if you say what I suggested above about the two forms complementing each other and enriching the liturgical life of the local Church.

 

[JReducation]

The members of our petitionary committee have no wish that an illicit or schismatic Tridentine Mass be celebrated in this archdiocese.

Bad moju as some people say. Leave out references to schismatic and illicit. He does not want this either.

Unless you have a committee to study the feasability of such an undertaking and said committee has been approved by the bishop, don’t call it that. Just say “we” or write a prior letter asking for permission to start such a committee.

Our request is for the Extraordinary Form to be celebrated either by an diocesan priest in good standing with the archdiocese; or, alternatively, by a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter, or the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, or other priestly society in full communion with the Holy See. In the name of the holy faith established by our Lord Jesus Christ, we ask this with obedience to your office.

Just tell him what you want. Let him decide whom he will ask to do it. The laity may never suggest assignments to bishops or major superiors of religious men. This was banned by John Paul II. Don’t go there. The bishop may have a special fondness for a particular group or persons.

We, the undersigned, certainly do not have any wish to abrogate the Holy Mass of H.H. Pope Paul VI.

I would not say this, because the undersigned couldn’t abrogate it if they wanted to do so. Try saying that is your hope that your request not be interpreted as a rejection of the Ordinary Form of the mass. Leave out the popes etc. He knows who put it together. You don’t want your letter to sound as if you’re teaching him theology, Liturgical History, or spirituality. You may be more knowledgeable than he is in one or the other of these areas, but he’s the bishop and you’re a lay person. You must always write upward.

Our most fervent wish is to be able to celebrate its rich liturgical possibilities, being informed by the Mass of the Council of Trent as it existed in 1962. All holy ecumenical councils of the Catholic Church being honoured

Again, don’t waste his time. Just bluntly tell him that you respectfully request

, we think it our duty to happily petition your grace: that at least one parish in our archdiocese be allowed this honour in future, totally in accordance with the aforesaid motu proprio (effective Sept. 14, 2007).

to host the celebration of the mass in the Extraordinary Form.

This petition is offered, in faith, for your consideration on the feast of Christ the King, our sovereign Lord.
Kissing the Sacred Ring,

Just thank him for taking the time to read your request and tell him that you look forward to hearing from him.

Always end a letter to a bishop with

Respectfully yours,

Also, volunteer to help in any way that he deems useful. In other words, offer to help, but give him room to be in control.

THE UNDERSIGNED

I don’t know if this helps or if it’s more confusing. I hope it is somewhat helpful.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[GloriousOrder]

Br. J.R., your assistance is of material significance! Excuse me, but I do often write in an archaic way, so it comes naturally to me. Several things have been changed and toned down.

 

[JReducation]

Br. J.R., your assistance is of material significance! Excuse me, but I do often write in an archaic way, so it comes naturally to me. Several things have been changed and toned down.

I really did not mean to dissect it. I read it three different ways. First I read as I would any post, as JR.

When I realized what it was aboiut, I went back to my old days when I held an archdicosan position and I found that it was too wordy. I would have read the first few paragraphs and move on to something else. When something is too long, you tend to put it down for later and then you forget or you pass it on to someone else who may not be able to help.

Then I went back and read it as if I were a bisihop. That’s when I realized that there was too much florid language that is not used in today’s theological writing or ecclesial writing. Ecclesial writing today is very succinct (bottom line, no further questions) or abstract (deliberately meant to open up discussion), depending on what you’re going for. The reason is really simple. Once again, you get too much to read, you don’t have time. There is so much to read and it’s all good, but there is only one you. Your bishop is a Doctor and he may find this type of writing distracting. It is language found in older writings. In reality, your letter is a pastoral request. It does not need to make theological references, especially when writing to someone who has a knowledge of theology. Keeping it pastoral is important to make the message clearer. It’s alright to make one or two references to SP, not more. I would cite from it, very short sentences. That often helps the reader understand why you’re saying something.

Bishops have secretaries, Vicars General, Chancellors and other officers. Mail is filtered by the secretary and rerouted, if necessary. When the secretary opens it, your introductory paragraph has to be written in such a way that the secretary knows immediately that his has to be read by the bishop.

Keep it short, very clear, very respectful, volunteer to help, state that you will abide by whatever he decides, make sure that you’re asking for his help, not demanding it and make sure that you have enough people to make it worth his while to pay attention or to assign someone to pay attention. Sometimes he may deal with it or he may assign it to someone else. It really depends on how stacked he is with work. If you can say everything in one page or 1 1/2 pages, that’s good. Tell him that you look forward to hearing from him and wait about three weeks. You can then follow it up with a telephone call to his secretary to find out if they received it. The secretary will tell you that they did and what the status is. You don’t even have to ask. They’re very good like that. My experience is that they are always very kind people.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Timothy17]

Don’t say this about the Holy Father. The institutional Church does not speak this way about the pope.

The Catholic Church, however, does love to speak of our beloved Holy Father, the Pope, as “gloriously-reigning,” “sovereign,” “the Vicar of Christ,” and all other titles, observations, and signs of affection, etc., as such is his due from his loving children in Faith, and if it makes institutional churchmen angry, well, so much the better. I don’t know what the institutional church is anyways. Sounds schismatic to me or something King Henry the VIIIth would make up.

Pax Christi to you, GloriousOrder,
Tim

 

[JReducation]

The Catholic Church, however, does love to speak of our beloved Holy Father, the Pope, as “gloriously-reigning,” “sovereign,” “the Vicar of Christ,” and all other titles, observations, and signs of affection, etc., as such is his due from his loving children in Faith, and if it makes institutional churchmen angry, well, so much the better. I don’t know what the institutional church is anyways. Sounds schismatic to me or something King Henry the VIIIth would make up.

Pax Christi to you, GloriousOrder,
Tim

What this means, in simple terms, is that this language is not used today. As you say, “if it makes . . . angry”. If you’re asking for help, how prudent is this?

Finally, the letter is making a pastoral request. It is not about the pope. Any reference to the pope should use the language that is usual and customary today both at the Roman Curia and in chanceries around the world: His Holiness or Pope Benedict or the Holy Father…

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Timothy17]

What this means, in simple terms, is that this language is not used today.

Apparenlty it is used today, by Catholics.

As you say, “if it makes . . . angry”. If you’re asking for help, how prudent is this?

If it makes *non-Catholics *angry, who cares ? How can someone who isn’t Catholic do you any service in having the EF celebrated, one ; and two, why on earth would someone be offended by paying loving homage to our dear Holy Father ? A Catholic could not be angry at that, only delighted.

Finally, the letter is making a pastoral request. It is not about the pope. Any reference to the pope should use the language that is usual and customary today both at the Roman Curia and in chanceries around the world: His Holiness or Pope Benedict or the Holy Father.

“Do not even the gentiles do that…”

JR, even non-Christians refer to the Holy Father as the Holy Father, the Pope or His Holiness. Hardly something that distinguishes someone as a beloved child of the Church, and of Grace. If it is a convention of the Roman Curia and the chanceries to reduce the blessings and honours graciously bestowed by Divine Providence upon our beloved Holy Father, than I think we have bigger problems than a single petition for the celebration of an EF Mass.

All my best,
Tim

 

[JReducation]

Apparenlty it is used today, by Catholics.

If it makes *non-Catholics *angry, who cares ? How can someone who isn’t Catholic do you any service in having the EF celebrated, one ; and two, why on earth would someone be offended by paying loving homage to our dear Holy Father ? A Catholic could not be angry at that, only delighted.

“Do not even the gentiles do that…”

JR, even non-Christians refer to the Holy Father as the Holy Father, the Pope or His Holiness. Hardly something that distinguishes someone as a beloved child of the Church, and of Grace. If it is a convention of the Roman Curia and the chanceries to reduce the blessings and honours graciously bestowed by Divine Providence upon our beloved Holy Father, than I think we have bigger problems than a single petition for the celebration of an EF Mass.

All my best,
Tim

I think you misunderstood my first statement above and went from there. She is writing to the Archbishop of her diocese. When writing to a chancery, you use the language that they use. They don’t mind how much you love the Holy Father and how you speak to him or about him, as long as it’s respectful.

However, when speaking to the (bishops and chancery officials) they want you to get to the point. That’s why, if they make a reference to the pope they use words such as : pope, Holy Father. His Holiness. These words are short, to the point, and the proper titles of respect.

Because the OP is asking the bishop for a pastoral favor, she wants to make that her central point. The Holy Father is accidental, not essential to her request. The letter is not about her allegience to the pope, but about their need for the EF mass.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[ProVobis]

If it makes *non-Catholics *angry, who cares ? How can someone who isn’t Catholic do you any service in having the EF celebrated, one ; and two, why on earth would someone be offended by paying loving homage to our dear Holy Father ?

Tim, you can’t underestimate the power of non-Catholics when requesting an EF Mass. Look at Agatha Christie, for example. Know that there are many Protestants who support the EF just because they support all traditions. Someone’s got to write the music, print the missals, play the organ, sell altar supplies and vestments for the priest, etc. Some local colleges might even take it up on themselves to start a Latin program.

I just received a letter from my alta mater proudly announcing their recently launched literature, Cultural Studies and Linguistics School, an umbrella organization of several areas including a Classics and Mediterranean Studies program. (UIC) Now did the 2007 SP have anything to do with it, who can say? However do realize there are 24 vernaculars supported in the Archdiocese and 10 EF’s celebrated every Sunday so this may reflect the need for such programs.

I know it should be more about our spirituality but we have to be practical as well. Ecumenism works both ways.

 

[odile53]

Really, you are asking for pastoral assistance. I’d start with your parish priest and if he’s supportive of the idea but unable to offer the EF Mass at this time, ask his assistance in drafting a letter to the bishop. It shows a sense of obedience (part of traditional Catholicism, by the way) to follow the “chain of command.”

If your parish priest isn’t convinced that there is a stable number of laity to warrant implementing the EF Mass, I’d turn my energies to convincing him of that as well as drafting a letter to the bishop. And I would keep it succinct, stating the request without effusiveness, reference to schismatic groups. theologic statements, or references to the Holy Father. Merely state your desire to see the EF Mass offered on a regular basis at a parish in the diocese, tell the bishop that others have also expressed a similar interest, express your hope that this can be implemented, and leave it at that. Like any other administrator, he is a busy man, and will appreciate conciseness and clarity.

And I sincerely hope and pray that your dream of seeing the EF Mass offered on a regular basis in your diocese comes to fruition!

 

[ChadS]

I think you’ve gotten a lot of great suggestions on the wording for your letter, but one you seem to be taking no heed of are the suggestions to approach a local parish priest first and if he rejects the idea of EF then go to a few more of the local priests. You could be surprised and find one that will willingly do it

If you can’t answer him when he asks how many priests have you contacted and why did they say no he’ll just send the letter back with say talk to a few priests. And, right there the letter has been handled and it’s off his desk. Also, by going straight to the Bishop you are basically jumping line and skipping to the local boss. If you can go to the Bishop after repeated attempts with local priests I’d think he’d be more inclined to listen to you or be more sympathetic.

Also, a lot more legwork should be shown than just showing up with a few dozen signatures on a piece of paper. Fr. Z on his blog has a good article about making it as easy as possible for a priest to start the EF. His post details that you should demonstrate you can support this EF Mass by showing you have the proper liturgical books, the correct items for the altar, proper candlesticks, vestments, a competent organist etc. etc. etc. This way you can definitely show a priest or Bishop that you are serious about this.

As anybody can tell you once the initial excitement wears off and all the heavy lifting needs to be done many of those enthusiastic people may be nowhere to be found. This would leave you and maybe a couple of diehards to invest more time and energy into this than you thought or have time to spare.

I think this can work, but you should really approach a parish priest (or a few of them) first and make sure you have some idea of where all the necessary items will come from or how to procure them (it’s possible that many parishes got rid of a lot of their older items years ago as they started to deteriorate or were destroyed in floods, fires etc, so the stuff you need might not be available from local parishes - even the oldest ones). If and when that fails to work then go to the Bishop.

ChadS