Let’s take this in small steps. There is no need to get angry here.
Bishops and heads of Orders can require their seminaries to make the learning of the Extraordinary Form.
We cannot do that. We do not have the authority to do that. We can make it possible for the men in formation to learn the Extraordinary Form. We cannot mandate that they learn it. That’s not what the document is saying.
There is an interesting situation here. If a man in formation is studying for a secular institute such as the FSSP or a religious order that uses the Extraordinary Form as its ordinary mass, then the superior of that particular institute or religious community can require that they learn it. They have to, because it’s part of the charism of that institute.
For example, we cannot demand it of our guys in formation. The rule of St. Francis does not allow it. The Constitutions do not allow it. The governed do not allow it. A religious superior can only command what he is allowed to command. He gets his authority from: Canon Law, the founder, the rule, the constitutions and the men he governs, in that order. The rule does not allow us to command what the Church does not require. In order to do so, there would have to be a special constitutional chapter to amend the constitution. To do that, you must have 2/3 of the religious approve the amendment. Then the superior can enforce it. If it’s not in the constitution and if the Church does not demand it, a religious superior cannot demand it.
Now, the situation is very similar to a diocesan bishop. He has to make the opportunity available to diocesan seminarians. He cannot oblige them to learn it.
There is another posibility. Schools of theology are graduate schools and they are accredited by the State and by private accrediting organizations. They have to be in order to grant degrees. The Church requires the degrees. If the school were to make these courses part of the degree requirements, then the students have to take them and pass them. That would cover that part.
However, neither Summorum Pontificum nor Canon Law give the bishops authority to command anyone to celebrate the EF. A bishop can ask a priest and the priest can decline.
Most Parishes in the US have Diocesan Priests.
If a significant number of Parishoneers want an EF Mass it will happen, even if it is an extra Mass.
There are only so many masses that a priest can celebrate on a given day. However, if there is such a large number, it is possible to eliminate one of the OF mases, provided the priest wants to celebrate the EF.
If you go back and read the previous statements from the Popes, you will find that if a Priest does not wish to do so, the Bishop must find a qualified Priest, and if he is unable to do so, the Vatican will help the Bishop.
I understand that and no one has said anything to the contrary. All that I said is that this is not as easy as it sounds. The bishop has to find a qualified priest. Finding a qualified priest is not always easy. He can ask the Commission to help him. He can ask religious superiors to help him. He can offer incentives to his priests. All of these are legitimate avenues. However, we have to know and understand that in some places, this may take a while.
We all want our rights protected. The person who wants the EF wants his right to have it protected. The priest who does not want to celebrate it also wants his right not to celebrate it protected. The religious superior who has to keep a community united, wants his community’s rights protected.
We have to be very patient and work cooperatively. We have to accept that there are going to be compromises. People may have to drive across town or to the next county. A parish may have enough people to eliminate one OF mass in order to insert an EF mass. A group from a parish run by religious may have to merge with a parish run by diocesan priests if the religious cannot do this. In order to get a group, you may have to blend people from the local diocesan run parish and the local Salesian run parish, because the Salesian superior will not allow his men to celebrate the EF. I’m using the Salesians as an example. I have no idea what they allow or don’t allow.
Do you see how this is going to play itself out? It’s going to take time and it cannot be done with a shotgun. The Holy See will not back up any bishop or superior who uses that approach on his men. Why not? Because there is no law that says that any priest, regular or secular must celebrate the EF. That’s the crux of the matter. As long as we don’t have such a law, then we cannot bind someone to do it.
I hope this makes sense.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
