Of Deep Annoyance

[QuisUtDeus72]

I haven’t seen anything on this forum about the apparent unwillingness of the Diocese of Little Rock to comply with Summorum Pontificum and Universae Ecclesiae. Does obedience to the Holy Father matter to Bishop Taylor? For those not in the know, it seems the chancery has slandered a good and holy FSSP priest and engaged in a subtle repression of the Usus Antiqior. Thus far, there has been no attempt to restore Fr. Demet’s good name on the part of the diocese.

I posted about this on my blog, so instead of re-posting the whole thing, I’ll provide a link at the bottom of this post. As a lover of Extraordinary Form spirituality and the Tridentine Rite, I am appalled and incensed at this bishop’s Machiavellian behavior. I’m going to help get the word out about it, until he publicly apologizes to the Latin Mass faithful in his diocese and begins to make amends. As a faithful Catholic, I will always respect his office & its validity. However, I find his behavior contemptible, and worthy of a stern public reprimand from Rome. What do you think?

Edited by moderator

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I think that a comment like " place themselves under the jurisdiction of such petty little despots." Shows no respect.

One can disagree with a bishop and still show respect by not making such hateful comments.

I scanned the new article but it did not say how the FSSP has treated the incident in question nor does it say why the FSSP has not assigned a new chaplain.

Seems like a mess though.

 

[po18guy]

Indeed, there is always much more to any given incident than is commonly known. Far better to simply offer irreplaceable time in prayer on behalf of all involved. As Brother Jay often points out, far better to pledge our simple obedience (in all things but sin) to our Ordinary, than to foster the growth of acrimony or dissent.

 

[NeelyAnn]

The best advice I can give is this: If you are a Traditional Catholic, get used to it. As long as the current crisis continues, the Traditional Catholics will be treated as second class citizens at best; but when the crisis ends they will be looked upon as the heros who preserved the Faith during the great apostasy, just as those who preserved the Faith against all odds during the Aran crisis are now viewed. Let this serve as encouragement to persevere. In the meantime, to borrow a line from the movie The Reluctant Saint: “expect the worst and you will never be disappointed”.

 

[QuisUtDeus72]

I think that a comment like " place themselves under the jurisdiction of such petty little despots." Shows no respect.

One can disagree with a bishop and still show respect by not making such hateful comments.

Thank you for taking a minute to look over the article and recognize a messy situation. However, neither malice nor hate was intended in that statement. I did intend to make a point, and I do tend to be a little blunt. Admitted, a better choice of words could have been made.

That does not change the fact that this bishop seems intent on ignoring a legitimate need of the faithful in his diocese, suppressing any attempt to meet it with “plausible deniability.” The writer of the linked article makes a fairly decent case for it. Why has every priest who voluntarily says the Traditional Mass in Little Rock apparently been targeted and neutralized? Why, after the proper civil authorities had investigated the incident which sparked Fr. Demets’ removal and found it to be without merit, did the diocese not immediately issue a public statement to that effect–especially since their original statement is still spreading across the internet like wildfire and continues to unjustly damage the reputation of a priest? This sort of situation is what prevents reconciliation between Rome and the SSPX, as much as differences over Vatican II. (Just in case you’re wondering, I’m not affiliated with them; but I have taken the time to understand their point of view.)

I’m as puzzled as you are as to why the FSSP has not yet appointed another chaplain. But I tend to agree with the speculation of the article’s author, barring evidence to the contrary.

 

[po18guy]

The best advice I can give is this: If you are a Traditional Catholic, get used to it. As long as the current crisis continues, the Traditional Catholics will be treated as second class citizens at best; but when the crisis ends they will be looked upon as the heros who preserved the Faith during the great apostasy, just as those who preserved the Faith against all odds during the Aran crisis are now viewed. Let this serve as encouragement to persevere. In the meantime, to borrow a line from the movie The Reluctant Saint: “expect the worst and you will never be disappointed”.

Are you a Mormon?

 

[TimothyH]

The best advice I can give is this: If you are a Traditional Catholic, get used to it. As long as the current crisis continues, the Traditional Catholics will be treated as second class citizens at best; but when the crisis ends they will be looked upon as the heros who preserved the Faith during the great apostasy, just as those who preserved the Faith against all odds during the Aran crisis are now viewed. Let this serve as encouragement to persevere. In the meantime, to borrow a line from the movie The Reluctant Saint: “expect the worst and you will never be disappointed”.

Great apostacy? Isn’t that a bit over the top?

Perhaps a bit of humility is in order before we claim that a validly ordained bishop is persecuting ordinary Catholics or is part of some great apostacy in the middle of the most affluent nation on earth.

God will let us know when he calls us to be martyrs for him.

-Tim-

 

[1ke]

Forum Rules, banned topic #18:

Identifying individual parishes, clergy, or hierarchs as “unfaithful to the Magisterium”, guilty of “liturgical abuse”, or otherwise engaged in unacceptable or unpopular practices, based on personal “knowledge” or opinion.

 

[QuisUtDeus72]

Indeed, there is always much more to any given incident than is commonly known. Far better to simply offer irreplaceable time in prayer on behalf of all involved. As Brother Jay often points out, far better to pledge our simple obedience (in all things but sin) to our Ordinary, than to foster the growth of acrimony or dissent.

I agree that prayer is/should be the first resort. But there is a time to be silent and a time to speak. It’s important to publicize this situation, even while praying. I don’t intend to foster either acrimony or dissent. God knows the Church Militant has enough of both! His Excellency can easily defuse the situation by listening to the legitimate cry of the faithful. May God grant him the prudence to do so.

 

[QuisUtDeus72]

Forum Rules, banned topic #18:

Identifying individual parishes, clergy, or hierarchs as “unfaithful to the Magisterium”, guilty of “liturgical abuse”, or otherwise engaged in unacceptable or unpopular practices, based on personal “knowledge” or opinion.

None of which apply in this case. This thread is not based off of my personal knowledge or opinion, but an article which was recently published in The Remnant. Have I misinterpreted that rule?

 

[TrueLight]