Gänswein on Benedict XVI.: "His Head is Working Fine" -- Resignation "Was Necessary"

Benedict XVI, Msgr. Gänswein, Lebanese Delegation Praying
Rosary in the Vatican Garden

(Vatican) Curial Archbishop George Gänswein has reported in an interview with Corriere della Sera from last February 15, about the life of Pope Benedict XVI. two years after his resignation. The frequency of such interviews indicates media interest for the unusual situation of an incumbent and an "emeritus" Pope. To Gänswein, equipped with the special authority of being the closest associate of Benedict,  it seems to fall  the task of emphasizing the "continuity" between the two pontificates. This insistence would not be necessary if this "continuity" were actually so evident. Most media representatives disagree, even among the faithful there is some doubt. Corriere della Sera refers to its formal legal nature, and less on the content.

Benedict himself was "sure": The resignation "was necessary"

"He plays Mozart, studies" and "loves to go for walks. He is very relaxed," said the Prefect of the Apostolic House.  On the question of how Benedict XVI. now sees his resignation, Gänswein replied, "Benedict XVI. is satisfied that the decision taken and announced was the right one. He has no doubt. He is sure of it: His decision was necessary"  He did everything with his conscience repeatedly tested before God and made the decision in the knowledge that his forces are dwindling and it is not about his person, but he goes "for the good of the Church."

"The reasons can be found in his declaratio," says Archbishop Gänswein with which Benedict XVI. announced  his resignation in a few words. "The Church needs a strong helmsman. All other considerations and hypotheses are wrong," said the former papal secretary, who then addressed the resignation by confirming:  "You are quite right: it was a great act of government for the Church."

Doubters Missing "Feeling with the Church" - Benedict Promised "Obedience" to Francis

Corriere della Sera turned the interview on the strong doubts about the continuity between the two pontificates. They were described as legal uncertainties that are primarily fueled by the Catholic journalist Antonio Socci. What is "be answered to those who are in doubt as to the validity of the resignation or the election of Francis?" Curial Archbishop Gänswein said this: "You can not form a hypotheses on things that are not true, but completely absurd. Benedict himself has said that he  made ​​up his mind freely and without any pressure. And has said to the new Pope, 'I promise' reverence and obedience.

Why there is then this doubt  about,  Corriere della Sera wants to know,  to include a possible answer yourself: "Does he feel absent from the Church?"  "Yes," Gänswein said, "doubts about the resignation and the election stem from the fact."

And how  was Benedict XVI. today? There are always reports of concern about his health, said Italy's  most important  newspaper. "There is a lot of malice, people who want to harm Benedict XVI., who is a man of almost 88 years. It is normal that sometimes his legs give him some problems at his age. That's all. He has his daily routine. He is very methodical. And his head is working fine. His spirit is great. Since the Urban University has asked that the Banquet Hall be named after him and Cardinal Filoni has asked him to Lectio in October for the opening of the academic year, he has written a beautiful text about the 'question of truth' and asked me to read it to him."

Benedict 'lives very methodically, receiving visits and corresponds "

How does Benedict XVI. spend the days? "His typical day begins with Mass in the morning, as always, a little later, at 7:45.  Then follows the thanksgiving, the breviary, a quick breakfast. In the morning he prays, reads, studies, drafts correspondence and sometimes receives visits. At half past one o'clock we have lunch and then take a walk on the terrace, two or three rounds before he rests. At a quarter past three we go to the Vatican Gardens. We walk to the Grotto of Lourdes, pray the Rosary and remain there in prayer. Then there is time for prayer and study. At half past seven clock we have dinner and watch the Italian news on television. Benedict prays evening Compline in the chapel and then withdraws. Sometimes he plays the piano. Especially in the past few weeks he has started to play again often! Mainly Mozart, but other pieces that just come to his mind. He plays from memory, without notes."

In allusion to his papal name after the great Benedict,  Father of Monasticism and the retreat to the monastery, Archbishop Gänswein said: "Yes, he has chosen a monastic life. Now he only goes out if Pope Francis asks him, while other invitations he does not accept."  Gänswein quoted the Pope literally:  "I chose this life, I have to be consistent in accordance with my decision."

Benedict and Francis "very different", but "united in substance"

The question of the substantive continuity has caused varying degrees of unease in the Catholic world is only nearly touched in the interview. Benedict XVI. and Francis, "are different, sometimes very different, in  expression. But they are united by  substance, of content, to proclaiming to propagation and defense of the deposit of faith," said Curial Archbishop George Gänswein.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: cristiano Umanesimo

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

Pope Benedict Addresses Pilgrimage of Tradition to Rome

Edit: this was published at Rorate.

Benedictus XVI 
Papa emeritus 

Città del Vaticano 

10-10-2014 

Most honorable Delegate-General, 

I have at last found the time to thank you for your letter of the past August 21. I am very glad that theUsus antiquus now lives in full peace within the Church, also among the young, supported and celebrated by great Cardinals. 

I will be spiritually with you. My state as a 'cloistered monk' does not allow me a presence that is also exterior. I leave my cloister only in particular cases, [when] personally invited by the Pope. 

In communion of prayer and friendship. 

Yours in the Lord, 

Benedict XVI

Founder of Juventutem Invited by Benedict XVI.

 (Vatican) Benedict XVI. received two representatives of tradition on 1 September, : the founder and treasurer of the Foederatio Internationalis Juventutem (IFJ)  traditional youth and the director of the International Pilgrimage of Tradition, Populus Summorum Pontificum.  From 23-26th October 2014  there will be  a third International pilgrimage to Rome.

Cosimo Marti of Juventutem and Giuseppe Capoccia of Summorum Pontificum Populus received late Monday afternoon in the Vatican.   Cosimo Marti had asked in vain for an audience with the Pope before the resignation of Benedict XVI. Last July, he received a surprise letter from the Apostolic Nunciature in Bern. In the Swiss capital, the headquarters of Juventutem.

The Nunciature sent a letter from Curial Archbishop Georg Gänswein. It contained an invitation,  no longer expected,   to a meeting with Benedict XVI.  Marti had assumed that his application had been filed with the resignation and had not expected a reaction.

The letter stated that he could bring a companion. Marti chose Giuseppe Capoccia, Director of Summorum Pontificum Coetus Internationalis , who has organized the International Pilgrimage of Tradition in Rome since 2012 Summorum Pontificum Populus. The pilgrimage will take place in 2014 for the third time at the tomb of the Prince of the Apostles, Peter, in St. Petersdom. The pilgrimage  is being held out of gratitude for the 2007 Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum granted by Pope Benedict XVI., to free  all priests in the celebration of the traditional form of the Roman rite.

2014: 10 years Juventutem

Juventutem, the Youth of Tradition

Since the International Federation Juventutem 2014 is having ts 10th anniversary, there is a pivot point of this year's pilgrimage. Cardinal George Pell, the prefect of the Economic Secretariat of the Holy See will celebrate Pontifical High Mass on this occasion on October 24 in the church of the Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini of the Fraternity of St. Peter in Rome. Ecclesiastical Assistant of Juventutem is Father Armand de Malleray of the Fraternity of St. Peter .

The highlight of the pilgrimage will be on Saturday, October 25,  at the Pontifical Office in St. Peter's Basilica, which will be celebrated in 2014 by Cardinal Raymond Burke. On Sunday, October 26, the youth from Juventutem   will visit the Benedictine Monastery of Norcia, where Cardinal Walter Brandmüller will give a sermon and Holy Mass in the Immemorial Rite.

Immemorial Mass for Juventutem at WYD 2005 in Cologne signaled a Liturgical Turning Point

Cardinal Pell had already celebrated the Traditional Rite for Juventutem in 2005 at WYD in Cologne  as the umbrella organization of traditional youth organization took part for the first time in an official event of the Catholic Church. WYD 2005 was also the first time once again, that the Old Rite had been celebrated in an official event, a major Church. The Old Mass at World Youth Day in Cologne signaled, only a few months after the election of Benedict XVI., the beginning of a liturgical change.

Two years after the Cologne, the same Pope granted the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum . He is also thought of  the thousands of young people with Juventutem who had come to Cologne, where he wrote in the accompanying letter to the bishops, which was published with the motu proprio:

"Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them. "

The former opinion, that the "request" was restrictive to the older generation, or should be limited, seems to be something to which the successor of Benedict XVI., Pope Francis is still attached. In the ad limina visit of the Czech bishops last February, Francis wondered aloud to Archbishop of Olomouc Graubner in January at the fact that young Catholics interested in the traditional rite:

"When I think about it more thoroughly, I find that it is rather a kind of fashion. And because it is a fashion, therefore we must not give it so much attention. "

The contents of what took place on Monday during the meeting with Benedict XVI. is not yet known. Before the meeting Cosimo Marti and Giuseppe Capoccia, said the French site Notions Romaines, it was their desire to express the loyalty and gratitude as representatives  of traditional youth to Benedict XVI.. Otherwise  the encounter was left to Providence and the emeritus pope.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Notions Romaines / Juventutem

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

AMDG

The Resignation of Benedict XVI From a "Handicapped Pontificate"

Pope Benedict XVI. and a Ceaseless Multiple
Attacks From Within and Without Handicapped
Pontificat, Which Ended With His Resignation 

(Rome) Cordialiter, which is a blog of  Catholic tradition with a restrained and balanced editorial line, has published a quite credible eyewitness account. Credible in connection with  its evidence about that "disabled pontificate" of Benedict XVI. LIke no pope in recent history,  Benedict XVI. was not attacked from outside, but handicapped by open disobedience from inside.

The description confirms the existence of an apparent dichotomy between tradition and neo-modernism. It's also  visible that besides the so-called "crypto-Lefebvrians", of which the Apostolic Commissioner of battered Franciscans of the Immaculate spoke, there is a strong group of crypto-schismatics there that are in no way limited to those parts of the German, Austrian and Swiss episcopate and their apparati.

On the Resignation of Benedict XVI.

I would guess that I do consider the resignation of Benedict XVI  to be valid. What I am describing today is from  a dear friend who gave me permission to publish the message on the condition that their names not be mentioned.

In the cloistered convent, where she lived, modernist priests often came to propagandize  the sisters, to "aggiornare" [Bringing them "up to date"]. One of these priests asked the nuns to pray that Benedict XVI. resigns. My friend, who preferred to keep her  traditional friendly attitude from these priests, and thus made friends  with  a priest, a leading representative of the modernist movement. He confided to her  quite openly that he and others like him among the clergy and the religious gathered thousands of signatures to urge Pope Benedict XVI. to resign. 

My friend asked the priest what will happen in the event that the Holy Father were to refuse to resign. The Modernist replied that the Pope had already been informed about it: If he does not resign, they would establish a new, separate church of Rome. And it will not be a small church.' According to what was known to him, many Church leaders would be willing to join the new modernist church. The crypto-schismatic clergy also laid emphasis on the finding that they preemptively support had been assured by those already who control some of the leading mass media and the media would promote the new church.

Some time later, on February 11, 2013 Benedict XVI  actually announced his resignation. My friend told me many more details, whose the publication of for several reasons would be unwise.

Now many will think: If things are to be so, then the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. is invalid. Because in order to be valid, it must be done voluntarily and without any compulsion. To me it is still hard to believe that Benedict XVI. could have made such a serious step to make a false resignation leaving the church in the hands of a false pope (regardless of ever being elected in the conclave).

Therefore, I am of the opinion that Benedict XVI., as he saw himself besieged by a flood of conspirators who were willing to schism, the most stressful thing that can happen to a pope, who was already 86 years old, no longer felt the power to effectively govern the Church and to resist the subversion of the modernists, who preferred to abdicate.

Ultimately, he did not renounce his office, because he was put under pressure, otherwise the resignation would be invalid, but because he no longer felt the physical and spiritual strength because of his age, which he considers necessary in order to oppose the modernist movement.

Reason for Withdrawal too Banal For Office and Office Holder?

Cordialiter's argument remains weak on this point, that Benedict XVI. precisely because of the underlying, but noticeable  refusal to follow by  many church leaders could not guarantee that a Pope they desired would emerge from a conclave. The validity of this described also can be due to lack of secure data check difficult to understand why it is easy to brush off or could be initially dismissed even as a belated construct. The good reputation of Cordialiter guarantees sufficient credibility, not to omit any of the facts.

The  nun's description proves in any case, that the spectacular and completely unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. is still something of a mystery and which preoccupy many Catholics. The withdrawal is a serious shadow on the pontificate of this great thinker and prince of the Church who has had his legacy severely damaged. Ultimately, because that he did it himself and thus only official reason seems so banal. Too mundane for this office and this office holders.

Benedict XVI. Year and a Half After Withdrawal of "Extraordinary Mental Vigor"

This fueled speculation which will continue to boil as long as Benedict XVI. is in such good health, demonstrated in how he has held for the second time since his resignation the Schulkreis for his former students and celebrated Holy Mass  for the meeting with his on Sunday. He showed at the same time, in spite of all age-related restriction, to be intellectually and theologically clearly superior to the reigning Pope. Father Stephan Horn, spokesman for the Ratzinger student circle reported on the question to Vatican Radio : "What was it like to celebrate with the Pope Emeritus"

"Wonderful! The joy of the Holy Father, the solemn Holy Mass with an address is how he always does it, the theme of the Gospel and reading. We hope that we can publish this speech one day on our website. He has really preached freshly. This has been shown also in the subsequent meeting that he has worked almost livelier than a year ago. Of course he's a little older, and he feels that it is no longer as easy to walk. But his mental vigor was quite extraordinary."

The "Murder Plot" and the End of the Pontificate

In connection with the Cordialiter report, namely that:  it is also important to recall  the "secure message" which Archbishop Paolo Cardinal Romeo of Palermo and his European travel companions, mostly businessmen, gave in the mid-November 2011 during a trip to the People's Republic of China, where he announced that the pontificate of Benedict XVI. will only last more than one year. Pope Benedict XVI. was informed  by Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos in a personal letter  deliberately written  in German language letter about it in January 2012.

The precise details of the end of the pontificate came from Romeos' interlocuters, of which the Colombian Castrillon Hoyos was informed, who had come to the conclusion that there was a murder plot afoot against the German pope. The anonymous note about Romeos' China discussions to Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos was dated 30 December 2011.   The frightening term "murder plot"  was  used by the Colombian cardinal, who had come to the same conclusion, then he wrote explicitly in his letter to Benedict XVI. and the person who brought the letter to the Pope   with the inscription on the envelope: "Strictly confidential". Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi, then responded to the letter and content, and was limited to the words: "It seems so incredible that I do not even want to comment on it."

The Pastor Initiatives as Leverage Against Benedict XVI.

The nun told Cordialiter of signatures from clergy, with which the modernists wanted to use to force Benedict XVI.  to resign.  That could have been the Pontificate's interaction with the Pastor Initiatives since 2006, which were initiated in Austria and spread in the following years in many westernized countries. In June 2011, the "Call to Disobedience" followed. That the internal Church confrontation was decisive on this front, it witnessed what was for many observers the   direct rebuke of the rebellious cleric by Benedict XVI,  at the Chrism Mass on Holy Thursday, 2012, ten months before the announcement of his official resignation. He refused for the world Church to hear the demands of the priest rebels. He took every effort,  to which the Austrian episcopate could not  or or did not want to implement.  Only the "radicality of obedience" is an appropriate requirement for a "real renewal" in the Church, said the leader of the Catholic Church  to the disobedient ones.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Chiesa e Postconcilio
Trans: vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

Pope Francis Openly Contradicts Summorum Pontificum?

Edit: this is from the Catholic Neoconservative commerce website, Kath.net.  It says that Pope Francis has confirmed he will stay the course as stated by his predecessor, and then makes a statement that seems to clearly contradict it.  We can't imagine he wouldn't see the problem.  We suspect that he will continue to say one thing and do another with respect to traditionalists who are at present being blamed for all the woes of the Church at present.

Pope Francis has met with about 60 members of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception at the Vatican.   At the meeting the state of the Order was discussed, which has been placed under an Apostolic Commissar for a year.

Vatikan (kath.net/jg) Vatican (kath.net / jg)
  Pope Francis has already met  with about 60 friars of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Conception at the Vatican on June 10th earlier this month.  The meeting took place in the chapel of St. Martha Guest House and lasted about 90 minutes.  This is according to reports by Vatican expert Andrea Tornielli on the online edition of Vatican insider.

 

After the Franciscans had renewed their consecration to the Immaculate Conception with the Pope, they asked questions of Francis.  The Franciscans of the Immaculate have been under an apostolic Commissar for almost a year because of "internal" problems.  Even the Capuchin, Father Fidenzio Volpi, attended the meeting, says Tornielli.

 Francis has been "well informed" in all matters. The Vatican expert, says he is following the development of the Order and expressed his appreciation to Volpi for his "work".

 Due to the Vatican measures,  about 40 of the 400 world's brothers have [requested to leave, per Rorate] left the Order.   It's about half of the seminarians who were only under temporary vows, writes Tornielli.

 With regard to the restrictions on the "Old Mass", Pope Francis  does not want to stray  from the line of Benedict XVI.  From the question of rite there should but be no ideological confrontation, the pope continued.   The members of the Franciscans of the Immaculate must obtain permission from superiors and the bishop, if they want to celebrate a Holy Mass in the extraordinary rite in a parish church, a sanctuary or a meeting house.  [Since the legislation specifically says the opposite, it's difficult to see how this doesn't contravene, Summorum Pontificum.]

Pastor Removes "Volksaltar" From His Church -- The Reaction

(Rome) A pastor has spectacularly restored his parish church which dates from the 18th Century, and then removed the "volksaltar." In architectural, aesthetic, and especially liturgical respects, he reasoned that it was  a mandatory step.  Because of the Church's climate, however, it is an almost "revolutionary," courageous step.

The Italian Archdiocese of Modena in the Po Valley was rocked by a major earthquake in 2012. Two priests died in their churches under the cascading debris. The pastor of the parish of San Michele Arcangelo of Montale Rangone, is Canon Andrea Gianelli,  who restored his parish superlatively and removed  the people's altar on this occasion. The priest, who had been ordained in 1970, is said to have been encouraged  by Pope Benedict XVI. for some time as concerns liturgical questions. The restoration of the earthquake-damaged church would then have been an occasion for him  to act.

Oreientation "mandatory" coram Deo

The intrepid and well-known in his diocesan priest had sent the church newspaper of his archdiocese, the reasons for his decision,which was printed in its entirety on 15 December 2013. The pastor explained how it is generally understood that the priest prays in persona Christi at the altar "and sacrifices, as Jesus Himself would offer sacrifice to God the Father. Thus, the attitude of prayer also changes physically, because it occurs in a direct relationship to God. Even the people pray, but not directly, but through the ordained priest, who says the Eucharistic Prayer alone for this reason. The people hear him and are  united with him in the end by the Amen. The people worship and unites with  his sacrifice, but also his joys in the sacrifice of Christ, but this part of the Mass is essential priestly. It follows necessarily that all are oriented towards the Lord. Not surprisingly, it is called in response to the invitation to lift up our hearts: We lift them up to the Lord."

No Obligation For "People's Altar"

Canon Gianelli then illustrated, referring to Pope Benedict XVI.,  that the direction of prayer for the Church was always East from the beginning, "which is almost 1950 years long," which speaks of an "authentic tradition." "It is a mistake to think that Jesus had looked at the Last Supper toward the apostles, as if he were sitting in their midst. The famous Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, which many artists have followed, mediated a false picture of those events as studies clearly. "The Second Vatican Council doesn't say anything about a people's altar and a prayer towards the people," just as much as it says  that the Latin language of the Church was abolished, but rather put it specifically states that it is to be preserved." The Congregation for Divine Worship made ​​it clear in a document of 2000 that there is no compulsion or obligation to prepare a "people's altar".

Church Newspaper: Is a Change of Practice "Opportune"?

However, the church newspaper added a comment. It was the decision of the canon, who was consecrated in  1970, which not only wasn't criticized, but expressly praised. In praising, it was acknowledged that in his reasoning for the three places of celebration in the Novus Ordo  (chair, lectern, altar), but also his emphasis that the Eucharistic Prayer is a prayer direction and in a double sense is "oriented."

The church newspaper described the decision as "totally permissible and lawful" because they have violated neither a legal nor a liturgical provision. However, the diocesan paper then raised the question whether it was "opportune," to celebrate coram Deo  after celebrating "50 years" facing the people.  For a justification, the church paper said that with a celebration ad populum, the Eucharist can be "observed."

"Unfounded Rationalization"

"The reasoning is completely baseless," said Messa in Latino , "because 50 years is not a  sufficient span of time for the Church  to derive a liturgical customary law.  In addition, the reason for the direction of prayer is not the Eucharist, which is also observed in the traditional form, but turning to God, the sacrificial character instead of the character of a meal, the symbolic meaning of the altar cross, the priest and the people are facing and not facing each other, in order to face the East  of the returning Christ, the Sun of Righteousness. "

In addition, they are astonished at the sudden reverence for the Holy Eucharist, "since otherwise there is  heard no criticism, however, that  the tabernacle is not relegated to a few churches, new and old,  in dark, secluded corners," said Messa in Latino . "The laudable example of Canon Gianelli shows that even priests ordained in the New Rite and celebrating a life in the New Rite have been able to identify and rethink undesirable developments through their involvement with the liturgy."

"Will the Ordinary accept the pastor's step?" Asked Messa in Latino . The faithful have accepted him. The removal of the  volksaltar  has,  says canon Gianelli, been the occasion in his parish for some discussion. He had, however, explained his decision in detail and the believers seem to have understood it.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Messa in Latino
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Katholisches...
AMGD

Prayer Vigil in Papal Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore for Immemorial Mass of All Ages

The Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani

(Rome) Following the deletion of the monthly Mass in the Old Rite in the Patriarchal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore  the Roman Coetus Summorum Pontificum, which is located at the papal basilica, is calling a prayer vigil.The Coetus  has already turned with an appeal to Pope Francis,  to reinstate the celebration in the traditional rite of the Roman Church. This concern also applies to the prayer vigil on the 25th of January at 4 O'clock in the basilica before the miraculous image of Our Lady with the Child Jesus, Salus Populi Romani .

The faithful reaffirm not wanting to interfere in the internal affairs of religious communities and institutions. However, they are complaining of unjustified "censorship" of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and the baseless "closure" and "oppression" of Mass locations for traditional Catholics (see separate report Santa Maria Maggiore: Mass Abolished in the Old Rite - Call of the faithful to the Pope ).

They complain in particular that the souls whose salvation and rescue is the supreme task of the "holy hierarchy and at its head, the Sumus Pontifex",  who are being deprived of the necessary grace of the wellspring that nourishes them spiritually even since the foundation of the Holy Church, through Jesus Christ,  which was continuously available to the faithful and by the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum which Pope Benedict XVI reconfirmed in 2007.

Ghettoisation of  Traditional Faithful Contradicts the Papal Claim

The abolition of the Holy Mass in the Old Rite celebrated regularly for the last fourteen years and in association with the veneration of Mary at the Papal Basilica, says the Coetus,  contradicts the "benevolence" that has come the groups of the tradition through the reigning Pope's blessing  last autumn for the Second International Pilgrimage of  Tradition  that had gathered at the tomb of the Apostle Peter  in the Vatican Basilica. "Thus are  the faithful to tradition  to be sent into the ghetto, if not despised and rejected outright" said Coetus in its appeal.

This is also contrary to the message of "understanding and inclusion", that Pope Francis has made the basis of his pastoral care. "It seems incredible that  'Admission' is to be given to all except those who love the Church and the Pope, and are loyal to and represent nothing more than the Catholic faith like the Holy Church has always taught."

Appeal to Pope Francis and Prayer Vigil for Abolished Mass Locations  in the Old Rite

"For this reason we have asked the Holy Father for his intervention and to organize in anticipation of his actions on Saturday, a prayer vigil  on 25 January 4 O'clock  with rosary for the grace that the celebration in the Old Rite is restored through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani, at this church and the restoration of the now abolished Mass locations (Which were abolished to the great detriment of the faithful) ."

 Coetus turns with this invitation to "all Catholics of good will".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi 

image: Messa in Latino

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...
AMGD

Third Secret of Fatima: Document is "Authentic" -- But is it Compete?

(Rome) In the coming days, the investigation of a handwritten document will be published which is attributed to  Sister Lucia dos Santos. The Third Secret of Fatima, which was was made public as a handwritten document by Pope John Paul II and the then Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in the Holy Year 2000 is "authentic" and was written by Lucia dos Santos. She was the oldest of the three shepherd children at Fatima, where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917. The nun died in 2005. Does the document published in 2,000 treat the full Third Secret? 

The   handwritten document extant in 2000 was investigated by the paleographer Maria José Azevedo Santos of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Coimbra. In the document, the seer described the scene  with the "bishop dressed in white" who suffers martyrdom along with many Christians on the summit of a mountain. A prophecy that John Paul II was referring to as the 13 May 1981 assassination attempt perpetrated on him in St. Peter's Square. The Pope wrote about the happy deliverance as the intercession of Our Lady of Fatima.

Paleographer Confirmed Authenticity of the Handwritten Document

Maria José Azevedo Santos gave an interview to  the official publication of the Portuguese pilgrimage site Voz da Fatima which will be released for the next issue on the 13th of January. The Catholic press agency of Portugal has made a preliminary report.

"The Church has no doubt that it is an original document. This is an authentic document, which was written personally by Sister Lucia," said Maria José Azevedo Santos. The scientist had the opportunity to examine the document last September in the archives of the Congregation. The absence of the signature of Sister Lucia takes away nothing of the authenticity of the document. A comparison of this document with the Third Secret with other handwritten texts of the seer and nun leaves no doubt. The scientific conclusion can therefore only be that this document was actually written by Sister Lucia, says the Paleographer.

Critics Don't Doubt the Authenticity, But Completeness

Around the release of the Third Secret in 2000, there have been numerous polemics. However, most critics do not doubt the authenticity of the document, but are of the opinion that it was not published in full, but only a part.

According to the main strand of criticisms, which, however, was also repeatedly rejected by the Vatican, there still  must an additional paper in addition to the published sheet describing the appearance in the words of the Mother of God, with whom she explained the importance of vision to the shepherd children. This also explains the absence of the signature of Sister Lucia, because it's probably located on another sheet at the end of the transcript.

Cardinal Ratzinger: There is No "Official Interpretation" of the Third Secret

As Cardinal Ratzinger explained the contents of the Third Secret in June 2000 at the request of John Paul II to the press, he put value on the finding that there is no "official interpretation" given by the Church suggesting it was Pope Wojtyla himself  as the "bishop dressed in white" who was killed. John Paul II sent the then Secretary of the Congregation of the Faith, Archbishop Tarcisio Bertone Curia to Sister Lucia. At that time, the  93 year old  nun had confirmed this interpretation of the Pope's.

Pope Benedict XVI:. Third secret is not yet fulfilled?

A little later, Bishop Kurt Krenn of St. Pölten said that Cardinal Ratzinger, did not share the interpretation of John Paul II relating the vision to himself. In fact,  Pope Benedict XVI then expressed himself very cautiously  on his 2010  Portugal trip, and left open the possibility that the prophecy has not been fulfilled, or at least not completely satisfied.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Voz da Fatima

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches...

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The New Cardinals of Pope Francis -- Essay on a Topography

(Vatican) On 22 February is Pope Francis will create the first cardinals of his pontificate. The announcement of the new cardinals is expected for the end of January. Their number will be about fifteen new members for the Church Senate. The number is derived from the total number set by  Pope Paul VI. of 120 papal electors. The appointments will provide information about the sympathies and direction of the pontificate.

The appointment of cardinals belongs solely to the pope. It is bound by unwritten laws, which are still obligatory.  The first appointments will show whether Pope Francis holds to  the ecclesiastical practices like Pope Benedict XVI. and the other popes did before him. The appointment of cardinals will have a significant influence on the election of his successor to pope.

The Conclave and the Surprises

Asia Bibi's Letter to the Pope: "Only God can Free Me" -- The Silence of Amnesty International

(Lahore) Asia Bibi, Pakistan's most famous prisoner has sent   a letter to Pope Francis. The now 43 year old Pakistani Catholic has been in prison since n June 2009 for allegedly insulting Islam. Accused by two Islamic religious leaders of having engaging a  Muslim women in a dispute where she maintained that it was not Mohammed who was the "true prophet" of God, but Jesus Christ, she is the first woman to be sentenced to death in the country on  8 November 2010. Since then, she is held under particularly tight security in prison during her  appeal process. The mother of five children was sentenced under Article 295 (C) of 1986 anti-blasphemy law introduced in the Pakistan Penal Code.

Diplomatic Efforts by the Vatican For Release

In November 2011,  Pope Benedict XVI. appealed publicly to  the Pakistani government to bring an end of discrimination and violence against Christians. For a Christian, the Head of the Church explained: "Today I bring to expression my spiritual closeness especially to Mrs. Asia Bibi and her family members, while I note that she has her full freedom restored  as soon as possible ."  At the same time, the Pope sent Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, President of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue to Pakistan, with a diplomatic mission to Islamabad to secure the release and departure of Asia Bibi. The mission failed because   the Pakistani government feared to release Asia Bibi because of  an Islamist insurgency. The diplomatic efforts of the Catholic side have  not been cancelled since.  Chilly silence prevails, however, from the "Heralds" in the defense of human rights. The abortion lobbyist Amnesty International has barely spent a word for Asia Bibi, while the release of  the extreme left, anti-Church,  action group Pussy Riot, or the oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky will be celebrated as "successes".

Christmas with the family in prison

In her letter to Pope Francis, Asia Bibi offers a personal testimony of faith. She thanked him for the divine grace that she could hold out so long. She also thanked the Holy See for the efforts toward her release. "I hope that every Christian could celebrate Christmas with joy. Like many other prisoners, I have celebrated the birth of our Lord in prison in Multan here in Pakistan. In a special way, she thanked the Catholic school and charity Renaissance Education Foundation, through which it was possible that her husband and her children were allowed to come to Multan for Christmas in the prison, to  celebrate the Solemnity together. "It would have been for me a great pleasure to have celebrated Christmas in the Vatican Basilica to pray together with you. I have confidence in the plans that God has  for me and maybe it will be possible next year."

"Only God Can Free Me"

Asia Bibi thanked all Christians who pray for her and work for her release. She wrote to the Pope about their already four and a half years in prison and  her concerns: "I do not know how long I can hold out. If I'm still alive, it is thanks to the power which was given to me through your prayers. I have met many people who support me and fight for me. So far, unfortunately without success. In this moment I want to entrust myself solely to the mercy of God who can do anything. He alone can free me."

"I Know that You Pray for Me"

In the letter to the Pope, the Pakistani mother speaks  of some of her  daily worries to prison: "This winter is especially hard: my cell is unheated, the door does not protect against the biting cold." "The security measures are inappropriate," since Asia Bibi was moved for security to the prison of Multan, her family has to travel from Lahore, which is a long way. The authorities speak of "necessities", because otherwise they could not protect the lives of prisoners.  Several calls for her death  and a bounty have been offered by Islamist organizations  for the Moslem who murders Asia Bibi.

The thanks and pleading letter to the Pope ends with the best Christmas and New Year wishes. "I know that you pray with all your heart for me. This gives me confidence that my freedom will one day be possible.  I greet you with affection in this hopeful prayer. Asia Bibi, your daughter in the faith. "

Text: Paix Liturgique / Giuseppe Nardi
image: Una Fides
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches....

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Gänswein: Pope Wants to Reform the Faithful, not the Faith

"Absolute Continuity" Between Pope Benedict XVI. to Pope Francis.Munich (kath.net / KNA) Archbishop George Gänswein expected no revolutions in the Vatican under the new Pope. "Pope Francis does not want to reform the faith, but the faithful," the Prefect of the Papal Household said in an interview broadcast on New Year's for Bavarian television. "The special thing is surely that he is a man who can not be put before any carts." He also does not expect that the Vatican "from tomorrow will have a new face," said Gänswein in conversation with journalist Susanne Hornberger.

Francis is a man of great gestures, gradually, however, the substantive elements would come to the fore. Gänswein who is still the private secretary of Benedict XVI. is seeing an "absolute continuity" between the two popes. As evidence, he described the encyclical "Lumen Fidei" (The Light of Faith) by Pope Francis on which Benedict XVI already worked. I've done a lot of preparatory work. Differences were stressed by the Archbishop on the issues of faith and reason and relativism. The results achieved by St. Francis in contrast to Benedict XVI. were in "second line."

In the exclusive interview under the title "On the Way to the Vatican" Gänswein describes the new pope as a "very open, very honest man." In meetings with people he does not make differences between politicians, Church dignitaries and ordinary people. In addition, Francis possesses the great gift that he immediately produces a warm connection in meetings, "the ice breaks away," said the Archbishop. "That takes immediately puts to rest any uncertainty or stage fright."

Link to Kath.net...Link to Kath.net...Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

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Martin Mosebach: "The Only Chance For Summorum Pontificum is From the Influence of Pope Benedict XVI"

Paix Liturgique has published in  Letter 40,  an analysis of the German writer Martin Mosebach on the current situation of the Church, the efforts of Pope Benedict XVI. to have underestimated the liturgical renewal and its error, "how deeply the spirit of the anti-liturgical heresy had penetrated even into the high clergy."

The Church under Pope Francis has experienced a shift of center on the pastoral work and a new style in many ways. The liturgical advisers to the Pope have been already replaced.  For the observers of the papal liturgies the growing sacredness of the last pontificate has already experienced noticeable changes. How does  it now stand for the Benedict XVI. initiated "Reform of the Reform"? What about the Motu ProprioSummorum Pontificum? What can the followers of the Extraordinary Form expect in the future from the Pope? What about the future of the liturgy?

Martin Mosebach, award-winning German writer and renowned author (latest book: . The Ultramontane All Roads Lead to Rome ) has already,  in his book which has been translated into many languages, the "Heresy of Formlessness", addressed accurately and  with a sharp eye,  without a mincing, plumbed to the kernel of the faults of the post-Conciliar development of the liturgy and thus deeply spoken of the soul the believers who particularly suffered  from the widespread liturgical experimentation with all their loss of form of the Roman liturgy, the marginalization of the sacrificial nature and widespread reinterpretation of the Holy Mass at a community meeting. He describes his personal experiences there in different countries with literary brilliance  and his consequent turning to traditional liturgy.

Today he commented shrewdly and exclusively for Paix Liturgique  on the current situation after the change of pontificate  and his assessment of the future

What do you think is the future of the liturgical reform of Pope Ratzinger? Can they still bear fruit or will we move into a blind alley?

Mosebach: Pope Benedict's main concern  certainly has been the liturgical "reform of the reform". This project had barely begun; well you have to admit that Pope Benedict has given up with his resignation. Currently, it would have no chance to be pursued, especially as the Congregation of Rites is reportedly appointed by the new pope with the declared enemies of a "reform of the reform". The more important is the legacy that Pope Benedict has left in the form of Summorom Pontificum for the reintegration of the Old Rite in the rites of the Church.

But this should be the last positive word at least for the time of the pontificate of Pope Francis, we get to hear from Rome in general not only about the Old Rite, but about liturgy. Pope Benedict has obviously completely misjudged the situation. He obviously has not seen how deeply the spirit of the anti-liturgical heresy had penetrated even into the high clergy.

In his interview with the Jesuits, Pope Francis said that Summorum Pontificum a wise gesture by Benedict XVI. to provide some believers that were attached to the Vetus Ordo. The traditional world, however, keeps it firmly, - drawing on the statements of Cardinal Cañizares and Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos - that it is  a treasure to the universal Church that will be revealed: Who is right?

Mosebach: The only chance  Summorum Pontificum has in the future is through the influence of Pope Benedict XVI.  The  "reform of the reform" was probably  a hopeless project from the beginning. In the general liturgical ignorance and lack of understanding of the clergy it was hopeless to promote the return of some sacramental forms that received their  meaning and significance only from the entire corpus of the sacramental. Pope Benedict's failure in this matter is stated in that the maximum program for the "unrepentant" and "prepared to compromise," the most realistic was: the unconditional return to tradition.

On the 24th to 27th of October, a pilgrimage took place in Rome Summorum Pontificum Coetus. After to Cardinal Cañizares, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica this year: How important was it for the Church that the faithful who adhere to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, have testified their proximity to the traditional liturgy at this event?  Can they also get to know the new pope that he might learn a small bit of this reality?

Mosebach: We as Catholics are  experiencing the depressing spectacle of a pope, who takes  the path of least resistance is to the public and how everyone who follows the mainstream, hails him as  "brave".   We must believe Pope Benedict, when he looked at the great tradition of the liturgy as the Church's treasure. It was not a clever diplomatic gesture from him again to secure a place in the tradition of the Church. That Francis Pope might disagree, unfortunately, fits all too well into the picture.

Finally, if one thinks of the resistance to the liturgical restoration of Pope Benedict, and on the other hand the failure of the unity of Rome and Ecône is aware: Do we have fear of a new liturgical outbreak of war?

Mosebach: It is very important that the pilgrimage of Coetus Summorum Pontificum leads many people to Rome. For a populist minded Pope an impressive participation like it might contain even a small positive argument, but the adherents of the Old Rite should be quite determined now to set not to look in the years to Rome and to be fixed on Rome, but to secure the newfound freedom at each location and to expand and to set up hope  completely on a new generation of priests. Let us not forget the worst thing that is truly unimaginable is already behind us: a Roman Pope, Paul VI, who destroyed the liturgy..

Six months after the election of Pope Francis' it seems that there is not much left of  the liturgical reform of Pope Benedict: Is it so?

Mosebach: Basically this is conceivable. We see, for example, the intervention of the Vatican in the religious life of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, that every  traditional religious community in which there is not one unbroken common will uniting all members, is endangered in its existence. On the other hand, of course, we can say that the official church in Western Europe has become much weaker and therefore does not have the total strength to readily  with which they could operate in the 70s and 80s, for their work of destruction. And the tradition of groups on the other hand have become stronger, they can no longer simply be intimidated and swept away, as so many bishops were  "in the spirit of the Council".

The chances for tradition are not so bad, if it focuses on staying hard inside and not to get bogged down in arguments, especially to gain young people, young priests  for themselves. We had a short vacation, and now it needs to proceed without Rome again;  but we know that already.

Text: Paix Liturgique
Image: Paix Liturgique

Translation: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

Link to Katholisches... AMGD