Group Wants Bishop Disciplined

Some comments on this article:

First, the first line of the story is another example of this paper's bigotry, the former high school seminary is a retired priests residence, they make it sound like it is used exclusively for child molesters.

Second, my own mother can vouch that Vinny Cioci is a good man, a wonderful, well-respected man.

Third, it is true that many younger Catholics that never knew the Latin Mass are seeking it out, I am one of these many.

Fourth, it is a sad fact that at this Mass, there are usually more children than at a typical Sunday Mass at my regular parish, which includes about 6400 families. (!) (Read this sentence again, it is true)

Fifth, the children at this Latin Mass are very well behaved, it is truly amazing to see this.

Sixth, the typical modernist spin is present in the article here: "In the traditional Mass, the priest prayed in Latin with his back to the congregation" That sentence should read: "In the traditional Mass, the priest and congregation all pray facing the altar"

Seventh, the next sentence includes an outright lie: "The current liturgy is in the native tongue of the congregation and includes much more participation by the laity, with the priest facing the congregation." - The fact is that I participate more at the Latin Mass than at my parish, since I pray the whole time and must work harder to follow the prayers and action. I have seen my parish filled with people who stand silently with blank looks on their faces, but at the Latin Mass people follow with their missals. Also, the priests at the current liturgy do not face the congregation, they are usually at the center with people on 2 or 3 sides of them, thus facing only 1 group. This kind of obvious spin is always advanced by Bob Keeler at this paper, who sold his soul for a spot on the editorial board and a fat paycheck. (yeah I said it)

Eighth, the next sentence is also wrong: in 1988 Pope John Paul II did not respond to "pressure from traditional Catholics" and say that "individual bishops could allow some celebrations of the Latin Mass"- he responded to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre’s ordinations of bishops by asking bishops to be more generous with the Latin Mass (and other traditional things) than they had been.

Ninth, the idea that a Latin Mass at a parish would somehow interfere with normal parish activity is ridiculous!!!!!! The last regularly scheduled mass could be changed to a Latin Mass, or it could be done in the afternoon, at a time not interfering with baptisms. This is yet another attempt by people in the diocese to stop the Latin Mass from becoming more popular than it already is for fear of…..what? I don’t know.

Tenth, the monthly Latin Mass in Suffolk county mentioned in the article was in a seldom used old chapel that was literally falling apart, an hour or more out on the east end of Long Island. Having the Latin Mass there, and at the St. Pius Chapel once a month, was former Bishop McGann’s way of fulfilling the bare minimum of Ecclesia Dei. Refusing to allow the Mass to be held at a parish indicates fear and more intolerance on the part of the diocese.

Eleventh, honestly I think the situation in the diocese and Church today is being exploited here, and the dangers of the St. Pius chapel location is a bit exaggerated.

Twelveth, I am wondering if the group made a wise tactical move here, as the Latin Mass is going to be “re-evaluated” in June. Nevertheless, I hope that we can get this Mass into a parish setting for the sake of the wonderful families that attend weekly, and also because other Catholics might attend for the first time and realize how sacred and beautiful liturgy is supposed to be. The Latin Mass can have the effect of helping the regular masses at parishes become more reverent.

Thirteenth, this is yet another sad episode in the local Church today, but hopefully it will spur reform and generate real Catholicism, in whatever rites or chapels people pray the Mass.