Superior General’s letters

Clarifying the ultimatum from Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos. In 2007 the traditional Mass is freed for all priests, but before the decree of excommunication is withdrawn, Cardinal Hoyos wants to impose conditions upon us. We launch a new Rosary Crusade to obtain the withdrawal of the decree of excommunication.

The Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum has acknowledged that the Traditional Mass was never abrogated, nevertheless there has been no fundamental change in the Church`s new doctrinal orientations which are at the source of the ever-deepening crisis. The Society launches a Rosary Crusade for the Church`s return to Tradition which would provide a solid basis for a possible future agreement.

With joy we receive the motu proprio of July 7th declaring that the traditional Mass was never abrogated. We see in it an answer from Heaven to our Rosary Crusade, not only because of its promulgation, but especially because of the extent of its overture towards the traditional liturgy. More than 5,000 priests worldwide have requested the training videos on the ceremonies of the Mass and the unanimous feedback is more than positive. What an increase of grace will occur for families and Society now that the traditional Mass may be freely celebrated. 

Should a Motu Proprio grant the permission to celebrate the Tridentine Mass it would certainly be of great benefit to the Church. Nevertheless, we should not expect a drastic and rapid improvement but rather a more gradual one because of the circumstances in which this permission would be received. Let us pray an do penance in order that more and more souls benefit from assistance at the Tridentine Mass which gives more glory to God.

The Church has been in a crisis since Vatican II because the priesthood has been slighted. This is one of the fundamental elements of this crisis. One of the most decisive points for the Church’s restoration is and will be the priesthood. Of all the churchmen of the 20th century, Archbishop Lefebvre was probably the one who understood this most clearly.  

Celebrating the Centenary of Archbishop Lefebvre`s birth, let us examine the Archbishop`s answers to Cardinal Ottaviani`s questions concerning the situation in the Church. Liberal errors prior to the Second Vatican Council were condemned by the Popes but since the Council they are actually favored. Archbishop Lefebvre proposed a solution to the destruction of the Church which is still valid for the present.

In these days when we celebrate the advent of Our Lord Jesus Christ, may the newborn Child cover you with his blessings. More than ever, we must all see with the eyes of faith and expect everything of Him. The letter we sent to Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos in June expresses our unchanged position towards Rome.

There are joys in the midst of this valley of tears! We rejoice at the spread of the Society’s apostolate which can be seen as a permanent miracle. We are saddened by the persecution of the Society of St. Josaphat and by the desecration of the Fatima Shrine. As long as Rome tolerates such things, they are distancing themselves from an accord with the Society. The Society thanks all of its benefactors and begs for prayers in these difficult times.

The Church has just celebrated 25 years of the pontificate of Pope John Paul II. During this time, more damage has been caused by the reforms of Vatican II, than did other events such as the French Revolution. Most of the reforms were made in the name of ecumenism which, explains Cardinal Kaspar, will destroy all that is strictly Catholic in the Church, not bring back the separated bretheren. Your prayers are asked for a group of Ukrainian priests and their parishioners who are being threatened with major excommunication.

A non-catholic way of thinking has been the norm in the Church since Vatican II. This non-catholic way of thinking is the source of the destruction of all that is traditional. This new way of thinking has destroyed the religious and the priestly life. The Pope's encyclical on the Eucharist and Cardinal Castrillon`s Celebration of the Tridentine Mass are not a return to Tradition but rather a mixture of truth and error. Rome desires that we accept truth mixed with error as a condition of our “regularization”.