Write to Rome in support of the Pope

[universalindult]

Write to Rome in support of the Pope

Posted by Damian Thompson on 28 Nov 2007 at 14:49
Holy Smoke blog
Telegraph.co.uk

I’ve just written a letter to the senior Vatican cardinal in charge of the Pope’s liberation of the Latin Mass, complaining about the English bishops’ disastrous attempts to block the reform. I urge you all to do the same – there isn’t any time to lose.

Letters should be addressed to HE Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Ecclesia Dei, Palazzo della CDF, 00193 Roma, Piazza del S. Uffizio, 11. He needs to know just how serious the situation has become.

You do not have to be a fan of the Tridentine liturgy in order to make a protest. What is at issue here is obedience to the Pope – and truthfulness.

Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter Summorum Pontificum gives parishes the right to choose the ancient liturgy, now known as the Extraordinary Form (EF). Yet English bishops, including the Archbishop of Westminster and the Bishop of Leeds, are behaving as if power to grant permission for the EF is still in their hands.

Their unhelpful attitude (to put it mildly) is sowing confusion among the faithful and causing great distress. Moreover, there are reports that the English bishops have consulted their own canon lawyer to see how they can get round the Pope’s ruling. That’s disgraceful.

Cardinal Castillon Hoyos is head of the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei, which has the final say in these matters and is drawing up guidelines to clarify Summorum Pontificum. If you care about this subject, write to His Eminence now, using measured language, so that he realises the gravity of the situation in England and Wales.

Posted by Damian Thompson on 28 Nov 2007

 

[universalindult]

Writing to the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”: some tips
CATEGORY: SESSIUNCULUM — Fr. John Zuhlsdorf @ 1:13 pm

Damien Thompson posted about writing to Rome about how some prelates are seeking to stonewall Summorum Pontificum. It deserves some attention. If this applies to the UK, it applies elsewhere! Read his piece and, if you think it is proper to write… and be prudent about that… check back here for my tips on how to write to the Commission.

Write to Rome in support of the Pope

Posted by Damian Thompson on 28 Nov 2007  at 14:49

I’ve just written a letter to the senior Vatican cardinal in charge of the Pope’s liberation of the Latin Mass, complaining about the English bishops’ disastrous attempts to block the reform. I urge you all to do the same – there isn’t any time to lose.

Here are good tips for writing to the P.C. “Ecclesia Dei” (or any other office of the Vatican) and an address:

* BE BRIEF. Make your letter no longer than one side of one sheet of paper.
* Avoid writing long-hand.  Make it easy to read.
* Include relevant documents: Vatican dicasteries can’t act solely on the basis of Mrs. Joe Bagofdonuts’s description of events.  The best thing you can do is send concrete evidence, printed.  If someone wrote and distributed something, send a copy.
* If you have relevent past correspondence, such as previous responses from priests or bishops, send copies.
* Do not tell them their job!  Don’t quote canons, blah blah, as if they didn’t know them already.  Leave the incredibly obvious unsaid.
* Do not engage in character assassination.  State FACTS with as little editorializing as possible.  Blathering on and on about how "disobedient" priests or bishops are will not strengthen your case.  State facts. They will know if they are disobedient.
* If you must talk about your feelings, keep it incredibly short, and do not be mean-spirited. If something made you sad or angry, okay, say it, but don’t DWELL on it.  The nastier you are, the weaker your letter will be.
* At the end thank the one you are writing to for his service, and promise your prayers.  And mean it.

In summary, be brief, send evidence, leave out the obvious, don’t vent.

His Eminence
Dario Card. Castrillon Hoyos
President of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”
Palazzo del Sant’Uffizio
00120 VATICAN CITY

If you want to know why I think these are good tips, I worked at the P.C. “Ecclesia Dei” for some time.

This is personal experience.

 

[Victory5]

universalindult:
QUESTION: what are the American Bishops doing to try to “block” the Holy Father’s decision? (obvioulsy we know they cant block it—)

 

[Dempsey1919]

Would it be worthwhile just writing to thank the Pope? I think the Pope has done a wonderful thing in releasing the Tridentine Mass and it would be great if I could thank him for this. A lot of people are opposed to his work and I think it would be a good idea if faithful Catholics write to show their support for the Pontiff. Thoughts??

 

[Conservative]

Thanks for sending a particular addressee and address in Italy - for any communications to Rome/Vatican City.

My biggest concern is that I wrote to the Pope awhile back (so it may have been John Paul II) - and I received something back from Washington, DC. Apparently, there’s a Papal Office or Nunzio or Rep stateside - and perhaps to avoid Vatican City from being inundated - it’s directed to / replied from there (???) If that’s the case, this Catholic would have saved the stamp.

We want THE POPE to hear about it !
While the dictates initiate with His Holiness, It’s no wonder our voices aren’t heard if Bishops are speaking on our behalf - without asking. What’s really frustrating - is that SURELY some message about these Bishopric interventions must get to the Pope. It’s not just during Pope Benedict’s reign - we’ve heard this story during Pope John Paul II’s reign.

Grrrrr,
Conservative

 

[universalindult]

Regarding subsequent posts on this thread, there is a follow-up post on Fr. Z.'s WDTPRS blog that is worth reading:

Reaction to Fr. Z’s Tips for writing to the Vatican

 

[jj2011]

Thanks for sending a particular addressee and address in Italy - for any communications to Rome/Vatican City.

My biggest concern is that I wrote to the Pope awhile back (so it may have been John Paul II) - and I received something back from Washington, DC. Apparently, there’s a Papal Office or Nunzio or Rep stateside - and perhaps to avoid Vatican City from being inundated - it’s directed to / replied from there (???) If that’s the case, this Catholic would have saved the stamp.

We want THE POPE to hear about it !
While the dictates initiate with His Holiness, It’s no wonder our voices aren’t heard if Bishops are speaking on our behalf - without asking. What’s really frustrating - is that SURELY some message about these Bishopric interventions must get to the Pope. It’s not just during Pope Benedict’s reign - we’ve heard this story during Pope John Paul II’s reign.

Grrrrr,
Conservative

How about the pope’s e-mail. You can e-mail Benedict XVI at: benedictxvi@vatican.va

Hopefully they won’t reroute that to Washington.

 

[Conservative]

How about the pope’s e-mail. You can e-mail Benedict XVI at: benedictxvi@vatican.va

Hopefully they won’t reroute that to Washington.

Yes, I did that, too - back when Pope Benedict was elected. As I recall (hope I’m not wrong), there was no reply…There must be a zillion of messages in light of the internet. I can understand the Pope can’t read many (if any at all) - but at least we’d like our voice as a whole heard on any particular issue, so that our issues / requests are presented on our behalf.

God bless you,
Conservative