Head-in-the-sand mentality
Rev. Robert Nugent's editorial of Jan 2, 2008 epitomizes the dismal head-in-the-sand mentality of some of the Catholic faithful.
If "the traditional Roman Rite of the Mass was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted," why would permission be needed?
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"That permission is no longer required for the relatively few people who request that form. Polls indicate that the vast majority of Catholics are satisfied with the Vatican II liturgy in English approved by more than 2,000 bishops worldwide at the Vatican Council including that "full, conscious and active participation" of the faithful." The statistics alarmingly contradict this statement. Attendance and religious vocations at the "New Mass" are spiraling, and attendance and requests for the Latin Mass are rising all over the world.
To state that "Catholics cannot fulfill their Sunday obligation by attending Mass [ at the Saints Peter and Paul Mission] and the authenticity of the Mass is questionable depending on the credentials of the priests who serve them" evidently demonstrates the Reverend's ignorance. In 1991, Benedict XVI, as Cardinal Ratzinger, declared null and void the "excommunication" of those faithful to their Catholic faith in Hawaii by attending a Society of Saints Pius X (also supposedly schismatic) mass. To be in "serious violation of church law" by attending a Mass that has been around since time immemorial clearly indicates the crisis in the Church.
It is more beneficial to heal the soul than the body!
The Mater Dei Community in Harrisburg should thank Saints Peter and Paul Mission, for without them, they would probably still be "allowed" one Mass a month in a gymnasium!
Bill Fonticoba
Washington Boro
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