Archbishop Di Noia: Instead of Vice President of "Ecclesia Dei", Number Three in CDF

(Vatican) The dismissal of Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, and his appointment as Cardinal Poenitentiary had already been foreshadowed by Katholisches.info, as well as the appointment of Monsignor Nikola Eterovic, the new Apostolic Nuncio to Germany and his replacement as Secretary of Bishops' Synod by Archbishop Lorenzo Baldisseri (see separate report Pope Francis Removes Cardinal Piacenza as Prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy ). Pope Francis made some important personnel decisions this last Saturday: they concern the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei and the CDF.

The traditional American and Dominican Curial Archbishop, Monsignor Augustine Di Noia, was again named by Pope Francis, barely more than a year since being removed from the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. The Pope appointed Archbishop Di Noia as Assistant Secretary of the Congregation.

After The Return of Msgr. Pozzo at Ecclesia Dei, Archbishop Augustine Di Noia Departs

Archbishop Di Noia was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI. on the 26th of June 2012 to the Commission Ecclesia Dei, which is responsible for the communion with Rome of traditional orders, communities and groups. It was for these especially that the office of Vice-President had been revived. The appointment was made ​​less than two weeks after the collapse of the talks between the Holy See and the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, as the agreement receded in the distance again. On the 14th of June the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay, met in Rome together with the then Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, Cardinal William Levada. Instead of the expected agreement, the exact opposite happened. Since then, the unification efforts are on hold.

The appointment of the Dominican Di Noia was interpreted as a signal to give new impetus to the efforts, but it did not succeed. A few months after Archbishop Di Noia had become Vice-President of Ecclesia Dei, Pope Benedict XVI. then made Monsigor Guido Pozzo a Curial Archbishop and Papal Almoner on the 3rd of November. The resignation of Benedict XVI. could recognize in retrospect that the Pope already prepared his retreat, and he wanted to reward Msgr Pozzo, his faithful employee, with a promotion.

Pope Francis: Dismantling the Past Personnel Decisions of Benedict XVI. at Ecclesia Dei

Pope Francis has now dismantled the past personnel changes of Benedict XVI. to the Commission Ecclesia Dei. On the 3rd of August he appointed Archbishop Pozzo back as Secretary to the Commission. Now he has reassigned Curial Archbishop Di Noia back to the CDF. There, the American had been Under Secretary from 2002-2009. He then spent three years as Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship. Now he will be Assistant Secretary. For a better understanding: the Archbishop was formerly the number four at the Holy Office in 2009, which was until 2005 under then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, then Cardinal William Levada, he is now number three to Curial Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller in the Holy Office. Archbishop Di Noia enjoys a good reputation in traditional circles.

Archbishops Müller and Ladaria Ferrer are Confirmed as Prefects of the CDF and Secretary

 In connection with this personnel change, Pope Francis has confirmed the current Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, Archbishop Mueller, the former Archbishop of Regensburg, at the CDF. With the election of a pope all offices are automatically forfeit in the Roman Curia. Pope Francis habitually confirmed all incumbents provisionally until further notice. Now its proper acknowledgment in office is for the next five years for the Prefect of the Faith. Archbishop Mueller thus, with the newly appointed Secretary of State Monsignor Pietro Parolin also, the first contenders for the award of cardinal by Pope Francis.

Also confirmed in his office was Curial Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer as Secretary and thus number two of the CDF. Archbishop Ladaria is responsible for writing prepared, official homilies and speeches of Pope Francis, which are used in Papal Masses and the traditional catechesis during the general audience every Wednesday (see separate report Luis Ladaria Ferrer - The Theologian Behind the Speeches of Pope Francis [Coming] ). The regular term of office of Secretary lasts three years.

Link to Katholisches....

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei / Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

"A Minority Doesn't Want the Old Mass Any Longer" -- Franciscans of the Immaculate and Roman Opponents of the Vetus Ordo

Edit: many want them to go quietly into the oblivion shared by those religious orders that have not remained true to the vision of their founders, but they don't intend on going quietly.

(Rome) Following the exposure of Vatican Insider as the mouthpiece of the rebel group in the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, it is aptly trying to limit the damage for the sake of balance. This includes an interview with the only official spokesperson of the Order, Father Procurator General Alessandro Maria Apollonio. Father Apollonio expressly rejects the attempts to reduce the provisional government of the Order by the Congregation of Religious to "internal tensions" that have nothing to do with the traditional Roman Rite.

From the interview it appears that there is a small minority in the Order, which is known to be led by Father Alfonso M. Bruno, but that this alone would not have been able to be effective. The input of six brothers in the Order to the Vatican Congregation offered but others obviously can find, against better judgment, a welcome pretext to act against the Order.

The interview also reveals a certain weakness of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, whose significance seems limited. The Commission had previously approved the procedure of the General Council of the Order with the introduction of Vetus Ordo. However, this official confirmation had no relevance for the Congregation of Religious.

Some things the matter of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, are so fundamentally different, the two questions are reminiscent of the final stages of officially frozen unification talks between the Society of St. Pius X., and the Holy See. The Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay, spoke in the fall of 2012 that "signals" had come from Rome, which made ​​an agreement seem possible. Indeed, such was already virtually certain at Easter 2012. But then everything changed. The "conflicting signals" were interpreted as a synonym for a power struggle back in Rome back ( see separate report ).

Some seem to suggest that the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate constituted an example to be directed against the Old Mass. Still unclear are the exact relationships, such as whether it would deter other orders, also to discover for themselves the traditional form of the Roman Rite, or whether the examples were even targeted against Ecclesia Dei communities. In tradition-bound circles, the scope of the attack quickly organized a protest that has been recognized and grown, which does not seem to have unimpressed Rome.

The interview was conducted by the Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli.

Why was an Apostolic Visitation of the Institute approved by authorities in the Vatican?

Because it was demanded by a minority among the brethren who no longer share the leadership of Founding Father and General Minister and the desire to promote the Vetus Ordo next to the Novus Ordo in the institution, as required by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum and the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae.

How important was the question of the old Missal in connection with the apostolic visitation?

It had great importance because said group of brothers accused the founding father to have imposed the Vetus Ordo on the entire institution. The accusation is absolutely false, but it was believed, and all our attempts to convince the proper authorities that it is false, were to no avail. Meanwhile, the false assertion by various media and news agencies became more widespread to cause serious damage to the reputation of our founding father and the institute.

Websites related to tradition interpreted the message of the provisional administration and the decision to stop the use of the old Missal's permission, as undermining the Motu Proprio of Benedict XVI. Do you share this view? How do you comment on the appropriate decision?

Father Lombardi has clarified that the measures do not undermine us regarding the Motu Proprio. However, we are waiting for an authentic interpretation of the liturgical rules of the Holy See that affect us. Indeed, it is not clear, for example, who the "competent authorities" are, of which the above authorizations may be granted: the Commissioner, the Congregation of Religious, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the local bishop, one or the other or all together?

We hope that this is a temporary disciplinary action, and that we will, as soon as possible, again allowed to celebrate in the Vetus Ordo, as we have always done, and that without the current restrictions that rob us of that, even though the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum and the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae have higher universal force.

In the corrections to our articles you have always stressed that the use of the old Missal was not exclusive and that all decisions were made in accordance with the provisions of the Motu Proprio. Is it true that the Ecclesia Dei Commission had asked the Franciscans of the Immaculate to exercise prudence in the Apostolic Visitation, regarding the manner in which the use of the old Missal will continue?

Yes, and we have acted with utmost restraint and in complete respect of our particular law, which confers the General Chapter "the highest authority in the Institute" (Constitutions, § 81). It was just the most recent General Chapter in 2008, which stipulated that the General Council (i.e. Father Stefano M. Manelli and his five consultants) to create a detailed protocol for the introduction of Vetus Ordo in our communities. This introduction was performed with the letter dated 21 November 2011. The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei was invited in advance as a precaution d to examine the letter, and they realized that it was equivalent to the mens Holy Father Benedict XVI. This official assessment took into account in any way for the further development of our affairs. The thing seems inexplicable to us and it hurts us a lot. We have confidence in our cause the heavenly Advocate, Queen of the Seraphic Order.

Interview: Vatican insider
Introduction / Translation: Giuseppe Nardi
 Image: Corsiadeiservi
Translation: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

AMGD


Link to katholisches...

Archbishop Guido Pozzo Returns to Ecclesia Dei

(Vatican) Curial Bishop Guido Pozzo returns to the Papal Commission Ecclesia Dei. Pope Francis has named him today as Secretary of the Commission. This office was the Italian Prelate's from 2009 to 2012. The Commission was established in 1988 for that part of Which was recognized in the Church. The Commission is responsible for all Communities, groups and orders of Traditionalist Catholics in the Church.

In the Summer 2012 Pope Benedict XVI. changed a number of positions, after the talks between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X were disrupted. The reassignments stood also in connection with the appointment of the former Bishop of Regensburg, Gerhard Ludwig Müller as new Prefect of the Congregation of Doctrine and the Faith. The Prefect is at the same time the president of the Commission Ecclesia Dei. In stead of Msgr. Guido Pozzo, Pope Benedict XVI. named the American Dominican, Curial Bishop Augustine di Noia to Vice President of the Commission. The position of Secretary remained unoccupied. Msgr. Pozzo was promoted and assigned to the office of Papal Almoner.

What the return if Pozzo to Ecclesia Dei really means and if Curial Bishop di Noia will remain are only some of the questions connected to this.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Bild: Vatican Insider
Translator: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD

Diocesan Seminarian Ordained in the Old Rite -- Mission to Muslims -- Sacra Liturgia Event

(Toulon) Last Tuesday Bishop Dominique Rey, the Bishop of Frejus-Toulon, consecrated a seminarian of the diocese in the old rite as deacon. The remarkable thing is that it does not concern the members of Ecclesia Dei community, but a diocesan seminarian. The Bishop of Frejus-Toulon treats the two forms of the Roman Rite, as Pope Benedict XVI had recognized, as equals.

The diaconate was held in the traditional Benedictine Abbey of Notre Dame de Fontgombault where the new deacon was trained liturgically under the direction of Dom Jean Pateau. In his homily, Bishop Rey stressed the connection between the diaconate and the Eucharistic Sacrifice. This is the fourth diocesan seminarian who has been brouight by the Bishop of Frejus-Toulon in this way to the priesthood.

In 2011, Bishop Rey caused a stir as he consecrated one of his deacons to the priesthood in the Old Rite. The Instruction, Universae Ecclesiae on the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, states that ordinations in the ordinary form of the Roman Rite should be made. Only the Ecclesia Dei communities and other communities with explicit permission to celebrate the traditional rite are exempt. However, Rome recognized the example of the Diocese of Frejus-Toulon immediately with an indult was granted without further notice.

Bishop Rey is the initiator of the International Liturgical Conference, Sacra Liturgia, which will be held from the 25th to 28th of June in Rome. In the diocese there are also the Missionaries of Divine Mercy of Father Fabrice Loiseau, an Old Ritual Community of Diocesan Right, which was canonically erected in the diocese of Frejus-Toulon in 2005 and is under the authority of Bishop Rey. The triple apostolate of the community is: promoting the worship of the Divine Mercy of St. Faustina Kowalska, Eucharistic adoration and the evangelization of Muslims. The latter has shown itself as an apostolate community at the forefront of new Catholic communities that respond to the specific challenges of their time. [View with PicLens]

Link to Katholisches... Contact Tancred: vekron99@hotmail.com

AMGD

Curia: Msgr. Guido Pozzo Appointed to CDF

(Vatican) Pope Francis has named Curial Bishop Guido Pozzo as new Consultor to the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith. Pozzo was the Secretary of the Papal Commission Ecclesia Dei from 2009-2012 which is responsible for the traditional orders, communities and groups and is subject to the CDF. In November 2012 Pope Benedict XVI. named him to Papal Almoner and titular Bishop, an office he will also manage. Msgr. Pozzo came in 1987 as an assistant to the CDF in the Roman Curia.

http://www.katholisches.info/2013/05/03/kurienerzbischof-guido-pozzo-neuer-konsultor-der-glaubenskongregation/

The Benedictines of Nursia Have Made an Album

(Rome)  The traditional Benedictines of the Cloister of Nursia in central Italy have published a "Christmas Gift" Hymns and Antiphons of the Gregorian Chorale.  The Monks, who have lived just a bit more than twelve years together in the Benedictine Cloister in the home town of the founder of the order, Benedict of Nursia in 480, have made an album with Gregorian music on it.  The 21 pieces may be ordered on the internet site of the Cloister in MP3 and downloaded.  The Prior of the Cloister, Dom Cassiano Folsom OSB, describes it as a "little sign of thanks" for the help of benefactors and friends of the monastic community, which is subject to the Papal Commission Ecclesia Dei.  It was not done like a studio production, but in excerpts of the monks during the liturgical celebrations in the Cloister.

The Benedictines of Nursia celebrate exclusively the Immemorial Mass of All Ages [Which they consistently describe as "extraordinary Form"].  They are also entrusted to other Mass locations in Nursia and beyond in the "Old Rite".

1. Hymnus, Audi Benigne Conditor Nostras

2. Antiphon , Ecce Nunc Tempus Acceptabile

3. Hymnus , Lustris Sex Qui Iam Peractis

4. Antiphon , Scriptum Est Enim

5. Antiphon , Angelus Autem Domini

6. Antiphon , Et Ecce Terræmotus

7. Antiphon , Erat Autem

8. Antiphon , Præ Timore Autem Eius

9. Antiphon , Respondens Autem Angelus

10. Hymnus , Aurora Lucis Rutilat

11. Antiphon , In Illa Die

12. Antiphon , Iucundare filia Sion exsulta

13. Antiphon , Ecce Dominus Noster

14. Antiphon , O Sapientia

15. Hymnus , Conditor Alme Siderum

16. Antiphon , O Admirable Commercio

17. Antiphon , Hodie Cælesti Sponso

18. Hymnus , Æterne Rerum Conditor

19. Hymnus , O Lux Beata Trinitas

Source: Katholisches...

A Crusade for Birettas and Latin Mass Readings

The Old Mass is on the March

A Call to Crusade

Battle for the Biretta and latin readings:  What came of the revolution of Paul VI, is a clerical abuse scandal in any case.  by Dr. Ansgar von Rotenhelm

(kreuz.net)A Crusade for Biretta and latin readings is more promising of success, more pleasing to God and for winning souls than a Crusade against global terrorism.

The Good Beginning

The present heap of broken glass which is the New Eucharistic Celebration did not fall from heaven.

It had its origins in modernism of the 20s.


Dom Prosper Gueranger's restorative, high liturgical movement lent its monastic stamp to that time. It was also stamped by St. Pope Pius X († 1914).

This movement was a great hope for the Church.

The Tragic End

Actually, there was a people's liturgical movement, which is affiliated with Romano Guardini.

The result was streamlined in the Second Vatican Pastoral Council and in the fatal liturgical revolution of Paul VI († 1978).

The Catholic philosopher Dietrich von Hildebrand (†1977)warned of the "trojan horse" in the Church.

Several Conciliar Fathers  corroborated the author of these lines, that the intentions of reform of Blessed Pope John XIII. († 1963) were fulfilled by the fully approved liturgy of 1962
 .
A New Danger for the Old Mass

Sadly, to this day,  the Old Mass is celebrated under the specter of the Modernists of the 1920s.

They try to customize it.

So it was in some places -- in opposition to the instruction 'Universae Ecclesiae' -- to even say the readings of the Holy Office [Breviary] in  the vernacular or -- although prescribed -- to use no biretta.

The present Papal Commission, 'Ecclesia Dei' shows no interest in assuring adherence to the papal laws.

That would only happen if the media effected the necessary pressure.


The 'Weltbild' scandal has shown: change is possible only when the media supports vocal Catholics.


DemagogicSpeech on Non-Essentials

The Holy Teresa of Avila  (†1582) once said: "I would suffer martyrdom for the smallest ceremony of the Church."

From this it is absurd to ask if then latin readings and head gear are so important. This demagogic talk of the non-essential was the beginning of the catastrophe in 1920.

We could win a Crusade for Birettas and latin readings. Deus lo vult -- God wills it.

Link to original...

Archbishop Gall: Concerns about Liturgy

Editor: Rorate Caeli had caught this Archbishop saying in 2008 that he was mystified about the reports of liturgical abuses in France, but as we can see from what Messa in Latino says:

Good taste reigns supreme.

The rites are defined by a noble simplicity ...(Sacrosanctum Concilium, 34):

Archbishop Le Gall, archbishop of Toulouse, President of the Episcopal Commission for the liturgy and the sacramental ministry and a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship, during the celebration of a 'Day of Peoples' 

Additional Information: In an interview with Le Monde of 5.7.2008,  Le Gall decried the "intolerable pressure" by those who are requesting the old Mass, and at the same time observed that it is essential to reintroduce the celebration according to the new missal [in a] "quieter, more reverential, more interior,  with more beauty to the liturgical vestments." C As shown in the photo above, is precisely what he is doing ...

Three Year Odyssey in Bonn: At Most the Old Mass in Cologne is Tolerated

The Neo-Conservative, muzzled, Cardinal Joachim Meisner of Cologne is probably a Pap-idolater but no friend of the old Mass. He doesn't care much for the numerous Traditionalists in his Diocese.

[kreuz.net, Bonn] For more than three years already, a group of Traditionalists in the south of the 320,000 population city of Bonn have been fighting for Old Mass.

This Odyssey has been recounted by Friederike Weigmann on the website 'summuorum-pontificum.de'.

Frau Weigmann speaks of a "blocked wall" against the old Literugy of the Church, which the engaged laity can hardly break through.

Bonn belongs to the Archdiocese of Cologne. The current Cardinal Joachim Meisner appears as an enemy of the Old Mass, although he appears at them and has ordained priests using it.

In Bonn there is only one Old Mass every fourteen days, which happens at 5 O'clock.

Bonn needs no Old Mass

Already on 17th November 2007 eighteen Traditionalists from southern Bonn approached Cardinal Meisner for an Old Mass.

They form today the 'Society for the Promotion of Summorum Pontificum Bonn e.V.'.

Shortly before Christmas in 2007 the request bit the dust. There is in the "Cologne Church" -- what is meant is the giant Archdiocese of Cologne -- already at four locations which have a regular Old Mass -- according to the Archdiocese.

In Bonn the qualifications for one regular Sunday Mass according to the so-called guidelines of the German Bishops Conference are not fulfilled -- decreed the Archdiocese.

In the same time frame the Archdiocese advertised a calendar of events of countless Carnival Masses in local Dialect.

The Cry For Help That Was Run in Circles


On December 29th 2007 'The Association for the Promotion of Summorum Pontificum in Bonn' descried its situation in distant Germany for Traditionalists to 'Pro Sancta Ecclesia'.

There the Traditionalists received further requests, which had likewise requested an Old Mass in Bonn.

Furthermore, the Society sent "the rejected request to Pro Sancta Ecclesia' to the Papal commission 'Ecclesia Dei"

Local Negotiations

On the 19th of December 2008 the Society spoke with a priest in the south of Bonn, Father John Nampiaparambil. He was newly established in his office.

The minister engaged in more discussions in the priests council, than he should have.

In summer 2009 he was surprised with an alleged sabbatical year in India.

After a reorganization came the new Pastor, Fr. Josey Thamarassery.

In this June the Society spoke also with him.

There he was also informed, that the number of those interested in the Old Mass had grown in the last three years.

Actually Fr. Thamarassery wanted to be informed over the applicants.

On the 20th of June he put off an invitation to a unique and privately organized gathering him reference to other obligations.

Another discussion date is not presently forthcoming.

Link to Orginal...kreuz.net...

© Bild: birmingham_lms_rep, CC

Radio Maria: P. Nuara is Assigned to Ecclesia Dei -- Prof de Mattei takes over Broadcast-- And FSSP Priest from Portugal Joins Him

(Erba) In the last week at Radio Maria in Italian, the mother station of the world family of Radio Maria, Vicnezo Nuara OP will broadcast for the last time. The Dominican made known his appointment to Ecclesia Dei which is now assigned to the CDF, at the end of the broadcast.

P. Nuara has headed up for the past 10 years a monthly show at Radio Maria. In the beginning he was concerned above all with the subject of Sects and "New Religions". Step by step, in the course of an general change in climate, he began to tackle more delicate subjects, like the question of "subsisit in", the authority of the Second Vatican Council and finally the traditional Liturgy of the Catholic Church. In the past few years toward the end, he celebrated at Radio Maria the first Holy Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite for the first time. [sic]

Prof. Roberto de Mattei will take up his position in February. Mattei is the full Professor for Modern History at the University of Cassino and directs the Historical Seminar at the Europa-University in Rome. He is the deputy Dean of the Italian Government appointed National Advisory Board for Science, writer for newspaper Radici Cristiane and even a friend of Catholic Tradition.

Radio Horeb is heard in German speaking areas, Radio Maria Österreich and Radio Maria Südtirol of the World Family of Radio Maria. They may be heard over Shortwave, Satellite, Cable, and Internet.


English speakers can hear Radio Maria in Canada, or here.
Radio Maria/GN)

Father Nuar OP, is joined also in the Ecclesia Dei Commission, by the Portuguese Allmiro de Andrade of the Priestly Fraterny of St. Peter. He will be the first member of ED who actually belongs to a Society of Tradition and is at the same time a full member of the Commission.

The Internet Site "Messe in latino" calls this move an "extraordinary step" in the direction to "strengthen the Commission" for the effective implementation of the Motu Proprio.

Holy Father Reasserts Petrine Office: Addresses SSPX

You might say this is triumphalistic and you might say it's medieval, but it's still the successor of St. Peter, speaking after all these years with the same voice that Saints like St. Thomas More hearkened unto, even unto death.

VATICAN CITY, 15 JAN 2010 (VIS) - Participants in the annual plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the president of which is Cardinal William Joseph Levada, were received this morning by the Holy Father. In his address to them he highlighted the fact that their dicastery "participates in the ministry of unity" which is primarily entrusted to the Pope through his "commitment to doctrinal fidelity.

"Unity", he added, "is first and foremost unity of faith, upheld by the sacred tradition of which Peter's Successor is the primary custodian and defender. ... This is an indispensable service upon which depends the effectiveness of the Church's evangelising activity unto the end of time.

"The Bishop of Rome", the Pope explained, "must constantly proclaim that ... Jesus is Lord". The Roman Pontiff's "potestas docendi" requires "obedience to the faith, so that the Truth that is Christ may continue to shine forth in all its grandeur, ... and that there may be a single flock gathered around a single Shepherd".

The goal of a shared witness of faith among all Christians "represents, then, a priority for the Church in all periods of history. ... In this spirit, I trust particularly in your dicastery's commitment to overcoming the doctrinal problems that still persist in achieving the full communion of the Society of St. Pius X with the Church".

Benedict XVI then went on to thank the members of the congregation for their efforts towards "the full integration of groups and individuals of former Anglican faithful into the life of the Catholic Church, in accordance with the provisions of the Apostolic Constitution 'Anglicanorum coetibus'. The faithful adherence of these groups to the truth received from Christ and presented in the Magisterium of the Church is in no way contrary to the ecumenical movement", he said, "rather, it reveals the ultimate aim thereof, which is the realisation of the full and visible communion of the disciples of the Lord".

The Pope then turned his attention to the Instruction "Dignitas Personae" concerning certain bioethical questions, which was published by the congregation in 2008. "It represents", he said, "a new milestone in the announcement of the Gospel, in full continuity with the Instruction 'Donum vitae' published by the dicastery in 1987. In such delicate and pressing questions as those that concern procreation and the new therapeutic advances involving the manipulation of the embryo and the human genetic patrimony, ... the Magisterium of the Church seeks to offer its own contribution to the formation of consciences, not only the consciences of believers but of everyone who seeks the truth and is willing to listen to arguments that arise not only from the faith, but also from reason itself".

"Christian faith also makes its truthful contribution in the field of ethics and philosophy, not supplying prefabricated solutions to real problems such as biomedical research and experimentation, put presenting moral standpoints within which human reason can seek and find appropriate solutions", said the Pope.

And he went on: "There are, in fact, certain aspects of Christian revelation that throw light on the problems of bioethics. ... These aspects, inscribed in the heart of man, are also understandable in rational terms as elements of natural moral law, and may find acceptance even among people who do not recognise themselves in the Christian faith".

"Rooted in human nature and accessible to all creatures possessing reason, natural moral law constitutes the foundation for opening a dialogue with all men and women who seek the truth and, more generally, with civil and secular society", said Pope Benedict. And he concluded: "This law, inscribed in the heart of all human beings, touches an essential aspect of legal theory and appeals to legislators' consciences and sense of responsibility".

h/t Doc Frey

More 'Reform of the Reform' according to Ecclesia Dei

In an interview with the French journal L'Homme Nouveau, the secretary of the Ecclesia Dei commission has confirmed that the liturgical "reform of the reform" remains a high priority at the Vatican. Msgr. Guido Pozzo explained:

What is essential today is to recover the deeper sense of the Catholic liturgy, in the two uses of the Roman missal, in the sacred character of the liturgical action, in the centrality of the priest as mediator between God and the Christian people, in the sacrificial character of the Holy Mass as an essential dimension from which derives the dimension of communion.

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