Showing posts with label Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Archbishop Ramon Arguelles. Show all posts

Monday, October 13, 2014

New Foundation of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in the Philippines?

Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles
(Rome) In the Philippines, there seems to be an attempt, for the reincorporation of the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in a new guise, but with its old charism. This seems to explain the angry reaction of the Apostolic Commissioner Father Fidenzio Volpi with the suspension of several priests.
The news of the suspension a divinis of six priests of the Franciscans of the Immaculate by the little "merciful" Commissar of the Order, has attracted international attention. The reactions have forced the acting head of the Order to an opinion, which can only confirm the critics of the punitive actions against the Order in their opinion, in their mocking tone about "ultra-traditionalist" circles. One of those critics described Father Alfonso Bruno,  who was imposed by the Commissioner and is the Secretary General and spokesman of the Order, as "Mr. Nobody". The charges against the six priests remain vague in Father Alfonso Burno's  description. Compared to the poor reproaches, the penalties seem excessive. Bruno's anger was directed  chiefly against the American website Rorate Caeli , which had dared to point out that disproportion.

Disproportionate Actions

Since August 2013, a public smear campaign against the Franciscans of the Immaculate of Father Manelli  has taken place, including fake Facebook profiles. [And here in the comment box] The fact is that there is neither an investigation nor an indictment against him and not even any concrete evidence of misconduct. Given the appalling libel, distributed under pseudonyms against him, which seems to be quite an indictment of the Apostolic Commissioner and his minions in the Order, and even more for the  Congregation of Religious that ruled the disproportionate action with papal approval.
More than that, it begs the question, how can Father Alfonso Bruno spread the word in such an insolent manner in secrecy against the Founder in all places? How can it be that an Apostolic Commissioner tolerated such an arrogant attitude? And that still forces  another question: What exactly is it that the Apostolic Commissioner for the Order, except impose disproportionate penalties, prohibitions and penalties and, it seems, while also violating church law?

New Foundation?

This is exactly where the hook of the  critics of the sanctions against the Order  speak of an "ideologically" motivated approach, because the Order discovered  tradition in doctrine and liturgy for itself and accepted it.  At the beginning of the punitive measures,when asking for specific allegations and evidence, there are still mysterious rumors of "misconduct", which have the dismissed leadership of the Order is allegedly guilty. But fifteen months later no one is convinced by cryptic talk.
More interestingly it appears that in the Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines, a public association of the faithful was recognized on June 28, 2014, as the French site Riposte Catholique reported. This could be the precursor to a reestablishment of the oppressed Order of Franciscans of the Immaculate. Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles of Lipa gave the five suspended Filipino Franciscans of the Immaculate, a celebret . Apparently  a new foundation on the horizon looming in his area, is the reason he therefore reacted so sharply. Perhaps the Order of Father Stefano Maria Manelli will soon arise anew in his mind.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Riposte Catholique
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD