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"The principalities of this world have said that the Holy Mass is not essential, and you have listened to them and shut the doors of His Church and locked out the faithful.
"Shepherds practicing the charity of ravaging wolves, did you even put up a fight for Our Lord?"
Michael Fitzgibbon, a Catholic layman of the Palmerston North Diocese, is up for a fight. This is his letter to the Bishops of New Zealand, written on Monday of Holy Week, 2020.
"To Your Excellencies, the
Most Reverend Stephen Lowe, Bishop of Hamilton, the
Most Reverend John Dew, Archbishop of Wellington, the Most Reverend Patrick Dunn, Bishop of Auckland, the
Most Reverend Paul Martin, Bishop of Christchurch, the Most Reverend Michael
Dooley, Bishop of Dunedin, The Most Reverend Michael Gielen, Auxiliary Bishop
of Auckland.
"Good
evening, Your Excellencies
I am
writing to you regarding the closing of the Churches during the COVID 19 lock-down.
The principalities
of this world have said that the Holy Mass is not essential, and you have
listened to them and shut the doors of His Church and locked out the faithful.
Shepherds practicing the charity of ravaging wolves, did you even put up a
fight for Our Lord?
"Good Friday
is four days away. Use your authority as bishops and get the Government to
include religious services as essential services. Our Lord will not look kindly
on us if the doors of His church are locked by His own bishops. The road to
hell is lit by lamps made from the skulls of bishops.
"It is
possible both to fight COVID19 and have the public celebration of Mass, subject
to appropriate safety precautions. Other dioceses, and other faiths, in the
world have done it. They pushed back and convinced Governments that religious
celebrations are essential to the welfare of the people, and can be done
safely.
"The fight against COVID19 will take a long time. It is a marathon, not a
sprint. It is imperative in this time of trial that people can access all the Sacraments, and especially the Holy Mass.
"Viewing Mass online is a poor
substitute for, and not a participation in, the Mass. Neither can the Sacrament
of Reconciliation be done remotely; it must be given in person (except when near death
and there is no priest available).
"Safety
precautions can be put in place to allow safe participation in the Mass and the
other sacraments. Options include limiting the occupancy to 10% of the building
capacity and managing it with the use of bookings and having more Masses.
"As
ridiculous as it would look, if the government requires it, the congregation
can wear masks, gloves and protective suits. If supermarkets can open safely,
then a Mass with 10 to 20 people and a priest can be publicly celebrated in a church.
As you know, only the priest is required to receive Communion during the
Mass. For Reconciliation, utilize “drive through” confessions, or where the
building allows, priest and penitent can be in separate rooms, and
talk through a door (or intercom).
Attached is
a letter from the SSPX to Governor DeSantis, Governor of Florida. It talks
about the essential nature of religious services for people’s mental health welfare
and outlines how public worship can be done safely. The day after he received this and other
letters from different denominations and religious groups, the Governor included religious
worship among “essential services”.
"You are all
Bishops in Our Lord's Church! Use your authority, guide your flocks safely to
green pastures.
"Get the Churches open now in time to celebrate the celebration of the Passion on Good Friday!
"I will
continue to pray for you.
Michael
Fitzgibbon
ReplyDeleteHelen Carver says:
If everyone wore a clean pair of gloves and kept 2 metres apart it would probably be safe but I'm afraid nothing is going to change in the next two weeks what we are doing is working look at the statistics right now we are the luckiest people in the world thanks to our geographical location and the timely measures the government has put in place - saving lives is more important than going to Mass right now meanwhile we three pseudonuns are having our own church services at home inside our bubble⛪💜
Adelie Reid says:
Helen, Mass is what saves our eternal life...
Helen Carver says:
Would you prefer to go to Mass or have someone you love die of Covid19 this is serious I spent 3 years as a nurse and midwife working in the third world and I have seen the unnecessary deaths of thousands of people because of ignorance, poverty and superstition
Helen Carver says:
Poor George Pell out of jail and unable to celebrate a Thanksgiving Mass
I say:
Cardinal Pell will be celebrating Mass all right. And his Mass will be celebrated, as always, in thanksgiving as one of the four ends of the Mass. Firstly in adoration, then thanksgiving, then REPARATION and petition.
Bob Gill says:
Bob Gill Re: “saving lives is more important than going to Mass right now” Nothing that has been suggested so far on this blog is suggesting harming lives. People are being proactive in pointing out that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.
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ReplyDeletehttps://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_welcom/military-chaplains-honoured-at-wwi-commemorations/
Note the Cardinal's words
‘We remember today as we dedicate and bless this bronze figure of the Risen Christ in memory of all chaplains who served in wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations over the last 100 years. This coming together of the Armed Forces and the Catholic community is a way to recognise the service of so many Catholic military chaplains and priests who put their lives at risk to minister to soldiers serving in theatres of war or places of conflict or unrest. Their ministry ensured our soldiers who were serving their country and putting their lives at risk for our freedom, were cared for in times of great danger and sacrifice, a long way from home and isolated from families and communities. The presence of chaplains meant soldiers could receive pastoral care, such as Christian burial rights, the last rites in their final moments, which brought some comfort to soldiers and their families in a time of tragic loss.
‘Jesus never played it safe, his life was given for others. All our chaplains, all our men and women who have served in wars, have never played it safe but have given themselves generously in their service of their country and their Church. Today we honour them. Playing it safe is not divine. Jesus became human and vulnerable. Part of our humanity is being vulnerable. Our chaplains opened themselves to even more vulnerability and, like Jesus, their vulnerability shone forth.’
I say:
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed Nick. I've been reminded forcibly during this Holy Week of the heroism of the 'Padres' who took Christ into the trenches; who WERE Christ in the trenches.
One must put the phenomenon of priests hidden in their presbyteries while their flock may likely die literally as well as spiritually of starvation, down chiefly to Modernism and its sinister history, manifested chiefly in the Novus Ordo.
I cannot believe that priests formed and fed by the Traditional Latin Mass would have deserted their people as NO priests throughout the world have done - with very brave exceptions, of course.