In the light of John-Paul II’s beatification last month the Society has published a book highlighting some of the principal reasons as to why he should not be raised to the status of blessed.
 
Previously Bishop Fellay had instructed one of our priests, the Abbe Patrick de la Rocque, to compile a document showing the obstacles to the pontiff’s beatification. This text was sent in due time to the ecclesiastical authorities responsible for collecting favourable and unfavourable testimonials regarding the reputation for sanctity.
 
However this document was conveniently put to one side, and was only discovered the day after the closure of the diocesan process, too late to be taken into consideration! Something very similar happened at Vatican II when Archbishop Lefebvre submitted to the competent authority the petition calling for a condemnation of communism, signed by 250 bishops…
So it was that on 19th December 2009 the Holy See declared that John-Paul II had practiced the virtues to a heroic degree. Undeterred by this development the document in question was presented to the Vatican commission in the course of the doctrinal discussions with Rome, with the indication that the Society would publish it thereafter. Interestingly, just a few days later, the beatification process was put on hold due to insufficient evidence to substantiate the alleged miracle cure obtained through intercession to John-Paul II.
 
However, this ‘miraculous cure’ from Parkinson’s disease was eventually admitted several months later, with the ensuing beatification ceremony organised for 1st May 2011.
 
The document provides the basis for the book just published in French under the title ‘John-Paul II, doubts on a beatification,’ and is prefaced by Bishop Fellay. Hopefully an English edition will be available soon. Whilst elucidating the numerous scandalous events of his papacy, the work goes on to expose the heart of the problem, namely John-Paul II’s ‘humanism,’ which was the essential point and axis of his pontificate, the most striking illustration of which consisted in the inter-religious gathering of Assisi in 1986.
 
In his preface to the book, Bishop Fellay says it presents ‘the fundamental unity of thought and action of Karol Wojtyla, whose compatibility with Catholic Tradition, one must unfortunately acknowledge, is difficult to establish.’
 
And he concludes that at this moment in time, when the Apostolic See prepares to renew the scandalous episode undertaken by John-Paul II at Assisi in 1986, the work is as relevant as ever.
 
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Motu Proprio
A commentary on the instruction Universae Ecclesiae is included in this newsletter. The document on the subject of the application of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, was made public on 13th May and is signed by Cardinal Levada, Prefect of the Congregation for the doctrine of the Faith.
Whilst the instruction is said to represent an ‘important stage in recognising the rights of the Traditional Mass,’ its major flaw consists in re-affirming that there is doctrinal continuity between the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo Missae.
 
III Rosary Crusade
Please fill in the forms and return them to your Priory. This latest Crusade began with Easter of this year, and will end at Pentecost 2012.
 
Canterbury Pilgrimage
This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of our annual Rochester to Canterbury pilgrimage which is offered each year towards the conversion of our country. As always it will take place over the last weekend of July, and even those who cannot take part in person are welcome to support this public manifestation of Faith by making a donation towards the substantial costs of the event through a forthcoming second collection in each chapel.
 
 
As June is dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we are reminded of that beautiful prayer made at the consecration of the family:
 
Sacred Heart of Jesus, who didst manifest to Saint Margaret Mary the desire of reigning in Christian families, we today wish to proclaim thy most complete regal dominion over our own. We would live in future with thy life, we would cause to flourish in our midst those virtues to which Thou hast promised peace here below, we would banish far from us the spirit of the world which Thou hast cursed; and Thou shalt reign, over our minds in the simplicity of our faith, and over our hearts by the whole-hearted love with which they shall burn for Thee, the flame of which we shall keep alive by the frequent reception of thy divine Eucharist.
 
Deign O divine Heart, to preside over our assemblies, to bless our enterprises, both spiritual and temporal to dispel our cares, to sanctify our joys, to alleviate our sufferings. If ever one or other of us shall have the misfortune to afflict Thee, remind him, O Heart of Jesus, that Thou art good and merciful to the penitent sinner. And when the hour of separation strikes, when death shall come to cast mourning into our midst, we will all, both those who go and those who stay, be submissive to Thy eternal decrees. We will console ourselves with a thought that a day will come when the entire family, reunited in Heaven, can sing forever Thy glories and Thy mercies.
 
May the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the glorious Patriarch, St Joseph, present this consecration to Thee and keep it in our minds all the days of our life. All glory to the Heart of Jesus, our King and our Father.
 
With every good wish and blessing
 
Father Paul Morgan
Superior