Vatican suppresses Cistercian abbey in Rome

[Pax_et_Bonum]

Vatican suppresses Cistercian abbey in Rome
May 23, 2011
The Vatican has suppressed a Cistercian abbey in Rome.

The abbey of Santa Croce in Jerusalem, associated with the Roman basilica of the same name, was formally suppressed in March, by a decree from the Congregation for Religious, signed by the prefect, Archbishop Joao Braz de Aziz. The Cistercian monks living in the monastery were given two months to relocate to another abbey.

The Vatican has not made a public announcement of the unusual move, nor have officials of the Holy See offered an explanation for the decision. The suppression follows an apostolic visitation of the Cistercian community in Rome.

There had been reports of liturgical and doctrinal abuses at the Cistercian abbey, and the suppression of the venerable institution—established in Rome in 1651—appears to be the final outcome of a long conflict with the Vatican.

catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=10400

 

[Linda_Marie]

Here is the story from another source.

Pope shuts down monastery that liked to party

<…>
The basilica had become a hub for the Friends of Santa Croce, an aristocratic group, and had been criticised for some unorthodox practices including dances in which nuns pranced around the altar.

One of the nuns who performed at the church, a former disco dancer, can be seen in a YouTube video performing a modern dance with a crucifix.

 

[Dale_M]

Linda Marie, thank you for that link. The article in the first post is a brief summary of a longer article in an Italian blog. Since I can’t read Italian, I couldn’t be sure of what the problems were. But the article you posted seems to say much of what I gleaned from the Google translation of the Italian article.

One thing mentioned in the Italian article is that the Basilica, home to several relics (particularly of Constantine and his mother, Helena), is headed by a diocesan priest. So presumably it will remain open.

 

[Holly3278]

I hope and pray that this turns out well for everyone.

 

[Linda_Marie]

Linda Marie, thank you for that link. The article in the first post is a brief summary of a longer article in an Italian blog. Since I can’t read Italian, I couldn’t be sure of what the problems were. But the article you posted seems to say much of what I gleaned from the Google translation of the Italian article.

One thing mentioned in the Italian article is that the Basilica, home to several relics (particularly of Constantine and his mother, Helena), is headed by a diocesan priest. So presumably it will remain open.

I certainly hope it stays open. It is an absolutely beautiful basilica.