And, define “division.” What does that look like in a concrete day-to-day life of a Catholic? People not attending the same picnic? Other church activities? What is “division”?
Sure. Our former bishop did not allow the EF Mass because he feared division. He retired and we received our current bishop. SP was released shortly thereafter. The bishop chose 4 existing parishes in the diocese to host the celebration of the EF Mass. He chose parishes that were sound, well placed geographically and were strictly orthodox with good pastors.
The pastor of the chosen parish nearest to me had a great time preparing to host the EF Mass. The tabernacle was relocated back to the rear center of the sanctuary. He procured large “communion
prie dieus” a 1962
Missale Romano, a gorgeous set of altar cards, etc., etc. He trained two altar boys. All on his dime or the parish’s dime.
The only problem was that both he and his parochial vicar already celebrate 3 Masses each/Sunday. The bishop came through however and located a retired Catholic priest prison chaplain to celebrate the EF each Sunday. The coming Mass made the local evening news. They were off and running!
The first Mass was absolutely packed – about 750 attendees. It was a low Mass because they did not have a cantor, choir or a musician – despite offers from the parish. I knew a great many people there, but there was also a group of harsh, overly severe individuals who took it up themselves to act as ushers and liturgical police. Two such ushers at one door tried to forced women to cover their heads – using paper towels and bobby pins if necessary until the pastor told them to go sit down.
Anyhow, following Mass there was coffee in the parish hall. Immediately the talk amongst the severe folks went to forming a “TLM-only parish.” You could stand back and watch it spread like an infection. A month later the Mass had 90 attendees. It’s remained at that level ever since.
It’s still a low Mass. They don’t have the $$$ to hire an organist and they reject the hosting parish’s offer of a pianist and a cantor. Once in a while they attempt a
Missa Cantata with someone trying to play a harmonium and it’s absolutely painful. They received permission to have the EF Mass during the week as well. Instead of holding it at the church (which is free to them), they hold it at one of the parishioner’s homes so they can be “independent.”
I think things would have been different if either the pastor or the PV had covered the weekly EF Mass – they both started with the EF Mass back in the day. Sadly it didn’t work out that way. Instead of having a well-attended EF Mass as an integral part of a thriving parish, there is this Sunday afternoon Mass that few attend that actually advertise themselves online as a “Latin Mass community” – with no mention of the parish that actually hosts the Mass.
The EFers had a chance to do something great here – (re)introduce a lot of people to the EF Mass and make it part of a great parish. Instead they created a failing “tlm community.”
That’s what I call division.