SSPX Bishops' Excommunications Lifted

Source: Vatican News Service

CONGREGATIO PRO EPISCOPIS

Con lettera del 15 dicembre 2008 indirizzata a Sua Em.za il Sig. Cardinale Dario Castrillón Hoyos, Presidente della Pontificia Commissione Ecclesia Dei, Mons. Bernard Fellay, anche a nome degli altri tre Vescovi consacrati il giorno 30 giugno 1988, sollecitava nuovamente la rimozione della scomunica latae sententiae formalmente dichiarata con Decreto del Prefetto di questa Congregazione per i Vescovi in data 1° luglio 1988. Nella menzionata lettera, Mons. Fellay afferma, tra l'altro: "Siamo sempre fermamente determinati nella volontà di rimanere cattolici e di mettere tutte le nostre forze al servizio della Chiesa di Nostro Signore Gesù Cristo, che è la Chiesa cattolica romana. Noi accettiamo i suoi insegnamenti con animo filiale. Noi crediamo fermamente al Primato di Pietro e alle sue prerogative, e per questo ci fa tanto soffrire l'attuale situazione".

Sua Santità Benedetto XVI - paternamente sensibile al disagio spirituale manifestato dagli interessati a causa della sanzione di scomunica e fiducioso nell'impegno da loro espresso nella citata lettera di non risparmiare alcuno sforzo per approfondire nei necessari colloqui con le Autorità della Santa Sede le questioni ancora aperte, così da poter giungere presto a una piena e soddisfacente soluzione del problema posto in origine - ha deciso di riconsiderare la situazione canonica dei Vescovi Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson e Alfonso de Galarreta sorta con la loro consacrazione episcopale.

Con questo atto si desidera consolidare le reciproche relazioni di fiducia e intensificare e dare stabilità ai rapporti della Fraternità San Pio X con questa Sede Apostolica. Questo dono di pace, al termine delle celebrazioni natalizie, vuol essere anche un segno per promuovere l'unità nella carità della Chiesa universale e arrivare a togliere lo scandalo della divisione.

Si auspica che questo passo sia seguito dalla sollecita realizzazione della piena comunione con la Chiesa di tutta la Fraternità San Pio X, testimoniando così vera fedeltà e vero riconoscimento del Magistero e dell'autorità del Papa con la prova dell'unità visibile.

In base alle facoltà espressamente concessemi dal Santo Padre Benedetto XVI, in virtù del presente Decreto, rimetto ai Vescovi Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson e Alfonso de Galarreta la censura di scomunica latae sententiae dichiarata da questa Congregazione il 1° luglio 1988, mentre dichiaro privo di effetti giuridici, a partire dall'odierna data, il Decreto a quel tempo emanato.

Roma, dalla Congregazione per i Vescovi, 21 gennaio 2009.

Card. Giovanni Battista Re

Prefetto della Congregazione per i Vescovi

Decree of the Congregation for Bishops
(Translation from Rorate-Caeli)

By way of a letter of December 15, 2008 addressed to His Eminence Cardinal Dario Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Mons. Bernard Fellay, also in the name of the other three Bishops consecrated on June 30, 1988, requested anew the removal of the latae sententiae excommunication formally declared with the Decree of the Prefect of this Congregation on July 1, 1988. In the aforementioned letter, Mons. Fellay affirms, among other things: "We are always firmly determined in our will to remain Catholic and to place all our efforts at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept its teachings with filial animus. We believe firmly in the Primacy of Peter and in its prerogatives, and for this the current situation makes us suffer so much."

His Holiness Benedict XVI - paternally sensitive to the spiritual unease manifested by the interested party due to the sanction of excommunication and faithful in the effort expressed by them in the aforementioned letter of not sparing any effort to deepen the necessary discussions with the Authority of the Holy See in the still open matters, so as to achieve shortly a full and satisfactory solution of the problem posed in the origin - decided to reconsider the canonical situation of Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta, arisen with their episcopal consecration.

With this act, it is desires to consolidate the reciprocal relations of confidence and to intensify and grant stability to the relationship of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X with this Apostolic See. This gift of peace, at the end of the Christmas celebrations, wishes also to be a sign to promote unity in the charity of the universal Church and to try to end the scandal of division.

It is hoped that this step be followed by the prompt accomplishment of full communion with the Church of the entire Fraternity of Saint Pius X, thus testifying true fidelity and true recognition of the Magisterium and of the authority of the Pope with the proof of visible unity.

Based in the faculty expressly granted to me by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in virtue of the present Decree, I remit to Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson, and Alfonso de Galarreta the censure of latae sententiae excommunication declared by this Congregation on July 1, 1988, while I declare deprived of any juridical effect, from the present date, the Decree emanated at that date.


Rome, from the Congregation for Bishops, January 21, 2009.



Card. Giovanni Battista Re
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops

Bishop Camilo Gregorio's Pontifical Mass (Extraordinary Form)

On the feast of the Sto. Niño, His excellency Most Rev. Bishop Camilo Gregorio, D.D. of the Prelature of Batanes celebrated a Pontifical Mass according to the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite assisted by Rev. Fr. Erwin Dela Cruz at the St. Jerome Emiliani and Sta. Susana Parish in Ayala Alabang. The bishop was served by the servers of the extraordinary form of St. Jerome Emiliani, together with representatives from the Sikatuna TLM group, while the Van De Steen Chorale provided the rich sacred music comprising of Gregorian Chants and sacred Polyphony.

This is the first TLM pontifical mass celebrated at St. Jerome Emiliani and the second TLM celebrated by his excellency in the diocese of Parañaque.

Last September 13, 2008, the bishop administered the sacrament of confirmation according to the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite in the Diocese of Cubao.

Assistant Priest Rev. Fr. Erwin Dela Cruz

The celebrant, Most Rev. Bishop Camilo Gregorio, D.D.

The Crozier bearer, Buglia bearer and Mitre Bearer

Prayers at the foot of the altar

The Acolytes holding the candles for the Gospel

the Gospel

The bishop giving his sermon with the torchbearers

Assistant Server #2 preceding the Cross bearer

The Thurifer and Boat bearer

The altar servers with his Excellency

His Excellency and the servers with Mrs. Marilou Barnes-Cortez

His Excellency with Mr. George Balagtas and the Van De Steen Chorale

Pontifical Mass Ordinary Form Ad Orientem Posture

Last December 13, 2008, his Excellency Bishop Angel Hobayan D.D., bishop emeritus of the Diocese of Catarman, celebrated a Pontifical Mass according to the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Latin and using the ad orientem/ad apsidem posture at the St. John the Baptist Parish in the City of San Juan, Archdiocese of Manila.

Concelebrating priest was Rev. Father Abraham Arganiosa, C.R.S and Master of Ceremonies is Rev. Father Carlos Estrada, an Opus Dei priest.

The Pontifical Mass was the culminating event of the 2008 Apologetics Seminar and Apologetics Convention organized by the Defensores Fidei Foundation.

Bishop Gregorio: Traditional Confirmation and Solemn Pontifical High Mass

Photos by Fidel Cenir

A very historic "Summorum Pontificum" weekend for the TLM community and the parishioners of the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy, Diocese of Cubao, Metro Manila Philippines as his lordship Bishop Camilo Gregorio D.D. of the Prelature of Batanes gave the Sacraments of Confirmation and offered a Solemn Pontifical High Mass according to the liturgical books of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

On the eve of the anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum last September 13, 2008, Bishop Camilo Gregorio D.D. confirmed 16 christians according to the liturgical books of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite at the Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy. The good bishop gave a short catechisis on the sacrament before confecting it the the confirmants. A solemn Mass was offered after the confirmation.





The following day, on the anniversary of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum last September 14, 2008, his lordship Bishop Camilo Gregorio, D.D. of the Prelature of Batanes, offered a Solemn Pontifical High Mass in commemoration of the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross with Father Michell Jojo Zerrudo, Father Erwin Dela Cruz and Sem. Mark Bunag assisting. The Bishop was served by the altar servers of the parish, from Ecclesia Dei Society of St. Joseph and the Holy Cross Parish.






Our warmest gratitude to Bishop Camilo Gregorio D.D., Father Michell Joe Zerrudo, Father Erwin Dela Cruz and other nameless inviduals who organized and supported the event.

Solemn Pontifical High Mass on September 14

Kaisa ng buong Sambayanan ng

ECCLESIA DEI SOCIETY OF ST. JOSEPH
AT NG
PARISH OF THE LORD OF THE DIVINE MERCY

Maamo cor. Madasalin Sts., Sikatuna Village
Quezon City

Kasama ng mga Mananampalataya- Bayan ng Diyos
Mga Kaibigan at Tagapagtangkilik

Samahan po ninyo kami sa Pagdiriwang ng

Banal Na Sakripisyo ng Misa
(Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite)

na pangungunahan ng

Lubhang Kagalang-galang
Obispo Camilo D. Gregorio, D.D.
Obispo ng Prelatura ng Batanes

Bilang tanda ng Papuri at Pasasalamat sa

PAGTATAMPOK SA BANAL NA KRUS NG ATING
PANGINOONG HESUKRISTO

Sa pagdiriwang ng Unang Taong Anibersaryo ng motu propio
“Summorum Pontificum”
ng Kanyang Kabanalan
PAPA BENITO XVI

Ika-14 Setyembre 2008
1:30 ng hapon
Parish of the Lord of the Divine Mercy Church

Umaasa kami sa inyong presensya at pakikiisa

Maraming Salamat Po!

Pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be denied Communion, prelate says

From CBCP News

OZAMIZ CITY, July 13, 2008 – Reiterating the Catholic Church stand against abortion Ozamiz Archbishop Jesus A. Dosado, CM said pro-abortion Catholic politicians should be denied Holy Communion until they bring to an end the objective situation of sin.

In a pastoral letter released today, Dosado said a Catholic politician who consistently campaign and vote for permissive abortion should be instructed on Church’s teachings and informed by parish priests that he is not to present himself for Holy Communion until he brings to an end the objective situation of sin or otherwise he will be denied the Eucharist.

Quoting from the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts Declaration “Holy Communion and Divorced, Civilly Remarried Catholics” [2000], number 3-4, the prelate stressed that when these precautionary measures have not had their effect or in which they where not possible, and the person in question, with obstinate persistence, still presents himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion must refuse to distribute it.

Dosado added that this decision, properly speaking, is not a sanction or a penalty. Nor is the minister of the Holy Communion passing judgment on the person’s subjective guilt, but rather is reacting to the person’s public unworthiness to receive Holy Communion due to an objective situation of sin.

Citing the General Principles of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (now Pope Benedict XVI), June 2004, titled “Worthiness to Receive Holy Communion” Dosado said taking Communion should be a conscious decision, based on a reasoned judgment regarding one’s worthiness to do so. The practice of indiscriminately presenting oneself to receive Holy Communion merely as a consequence of being present at Mass, is an abuse that
must be corrected.

Dosado stressed not all moral issues have the same moral weight as abortion.

“For example, if a Catholic were to be at odds with the Holy Father on the decision to wage war, he would not for that reason be considered unworthy to present himself to receive Holy Communion. There may be a legitimate diversity of opinion even among Catholics about waging war, but not about abortion,” he added.

The local ordinary said apart from an individual’s judgment about his worthiness to present himself to receive the Holy Eucharist, the minister of Holy Communion may find himself in the situation where he must refuse to distribute Holy Communion to someone, such as in cases of a declared excommunication, a declared interdict, or an obstinate persistence in manifest grave. (Wendell Talibong)

New Bishop of Kidapawan

From the Vatican Information Service

VATICAN CITY, 14 MAY 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Bishop Romulo T. de la Cruz of San Jose de Antique, Philippines, as bishop of Kidapawan (area 5,199, population 783,179, Catholics 418,803, priests 42, religious 64), Philippines.

Bishop Romulo T. dela Cruz was born on June 24, 1947 in Balasan, Iloilo. He received his priestly ordination on December 8, 1972 at Kidapawan, Cotabato. He was ordained as bishop on March 16, 1988 at the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral, Cotabato.




Photo from CBCP Online.

President of Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Celebrates the Traditional Mass

An excerpt from Carlos Antonio Palad's email reads:

I have the great joy of announcing to you that His Excellency, Archbishop Angel Lagdameo D.D., Archbishop of Jaro and currently President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), celebrated a Missa Cantata according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite last September 11, 2007, 7:00 PM (Manila time) at the Carmelite Monastery Church in Lipa City, Province of Batangas (located south of Manila).

CBCPnews Poll

CBCPnews has a poll: Do you agree with the latest pronouncement from the Vatican allowing the Latin Mass upon the request of the laity?

I have reservations to polls as it will only make the Latin Mass vs. Novus Ordo sort of a popularity contest instead of just following the decrees of Pope Benedict XVI and appreciating the rich traditions of the Roman Rite. Well I voted YES just to show my support to the Holy Father, and the Traditional Latin Mass.