Bishop Olson Suppresses Traditional Latin Mass
Over at Rorate Caeli, they have the sad story that apparently the newly installed Bishop Olson of the Diocese of Fort Worth Texas has BANNED the Extraordinary Form of the Mass to be said on the chapel of Fisher College.
Unfortunately for Bishop Olson, he has no right to do this. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI wrote in Summorum Ponficum, that the Bishop of a diocese can not ban or permit the Extraordinary Form of the Mass to be said. This is the law of the land.
This just goes to show that there is an attack for those who hold to the traditions of our faith.
Bishop Olson in the letter states that they “do not have permission” (which is too bad for him, but he doesn’t have to give it to them in order for them to celebrate it) to celebrate the Extraordinary Form any day of the week, as a nearby church already has it (huh, I’m pretty sure every other parish in the diocese celebrates the Ordinary Form regularly…). He also states that they may only celebrate the Ordinary Form. Finally, if they do not comply, Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament will be removed and they will not be allowed to celebrate Mass at all, or have Eucharistic Adoration.
Bishop Olson even went as far as to say that he was doing this “pastorally” out of concern for the students of Fisher college and the President of the college Mr. Michael King’s soul. Reading this, you can tell that Bishop Olson feels that the Extraordinary Form, that is, the Mass that has been said for how many centuries within the Catholic Church, is dangerous to their souls. The same Mass that produced how many saints?!?
After seeing what is currently going on with the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, it comes as no surprise that this is going on, and I expect it will get worse if that is the case. We are living in odd times. Times in which a Bishop who is in charge of the care of the souls in his diocese, will withhold Jesus from Catholics who truly love Him, for celebrating the Form of the Mass that is most reverent to Him. Sickening.
If there is a reason for doing this, the Bishop should have stated it, but he doesn’t. He’s a bully and a coward (my own thoughts).
I suggest first and foremost you pray and fast. I also suggest sharing this story (whether it be mine or the original from Rorate) with all of those you know who care. Have them pray and fast as well. Finally, it might be worth it to either email or mail the Bishop’s office. I also think it might be worth it to pass it along to Rome.
Pray the Rosary daily, and entrust this issue into the hands of our dear Mother Mary.
“If there was a reason for this, the bishop should have stated it.” I presume that the reason was communicated in the in-person meeting mentioned in the letter, which was leaked. The bishop had not made this public knowledge, so he is not at fault for not providing a public reason.
There is more to this story, which casts Bishop Olson’s actions in a much different light. Please see Fr. Z’s analysis and especially the updates at the bottom of the article.
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2014/03/fr-zs-first-reaction-to-bp-olson-banning-extraordinary-form-at-fort-worths-fisher-more-college/
So, the bishop will remove Jesus! Does that mean Jesus will also be forbidden by the Bishop to be present when two or three are gathered in His Name?
It is this kind of pastoral insensitivity and abuse of power that led me to leave the Roman Church years ago and land in the Orthodox Church. If people attend the Mass/Liturgy, then there is an interest and a need for it….something to be encouraged, not discouraged.
Has he not heard “If the gold should rust…what will the iron do?”