Rorate Caeli

Franciscans of the Immaculate - Intervention is interested in only one matter: the Traditional Mass

From the questionnaire sent by the Apostolic Visitator designated by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (the Congregation for Religious), it is clear that only one concern was in the mind of Cardinal-Prefect João Braz de Aviz: the "Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite", both the Traditional Mass and the Traditional Breviary. And, obviously, trying to find somewhere excuses to revert the legitimate decisions that, while fully preserving the "Ordinary Form" (the Paul VI Mass and Divine Office), favored the Extraordinary Form inside the community. Which is what finally led to the current Intervention.

The questionnaire, in Italian, was made available by the blog Franciscan Truth, indicated to us by a commentator in one of our comment boxes. The translation was made by Rorate, as usual.

We report, you decide:

_______________________
The Franciscans of the Immaculate Commission
PARTICULAR QUESTIONS


(With regard to the following questions, besides the space reserved for these on this sheet, you may attach and/or send me all of your considerations in other ways also (e-mail – letters).


  1. What is your opinion of the Superior General’s style of government?
  2. What is your opinion of the Superior General’s decisions in liturgical matters?
  3. What is your opinion about the Superior General’s decisions regarding the formation of the young religious and the candidates to the priesthood?
  4. What is your opinion on the relations between the Superior General and the Congregation of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate?
  5. What is your opinion on the relations between the Superior General and the General Council?
  6. What is your opinion regarding the collaboration in the governing of  the Institute between the Superior General and the General Council?
  7. How often are you in contact with the Superior General and the members of the General Council?
  8. Do you consider that the introduction of the Extraordinary Form in the Institute: is a  good thing?
  • YES  (because….
  • NO (because…
              it helps communion among the members:
    • YES (because….
    • NO ( because….
              it meets the needs of evangelization:
    • YES (because….
    • NO (because….
              it meets the spiritual needs of contemporary man:
    • YES ( because….
    • NO (because…
               it satisfies the desires of the Superior General:
    • YES (because….
    • NO (because…
               it is requested by the Second Vatican Council:
    • YES (because….
    • NO (because….
               it responds to the “mens” of the Holy Father:
                 (because……………………………..


  1. Do you think the introduction of the Extraordinary Form is desired
   by the Pope?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because…
               by the General Chapter?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because…
               by the Superior General?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because….
              by the General Council?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because…
              by the Chapter of your Community?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because…


10)  Do you think that the introduction of the Extraordinary Form in the Institute suits your spirituality?
    • YES (because…
    • NO (because….


11)  If you had to choose between the two forms (Ordinary and extraordinary) for all the        members of the Institute, which one would you choose and why?


12)  In your view, what is the Body of Government put in charge by the Constitution of the F.I for the introduction of the Extraordinary form in the Institute?


***


With regard to the introduction of the extraordinary form in the Institute, the book of Minutes  of the General Chapter on pages 49-50 (see below at the end of the questionnaire)  affirms what follows:
“[…] It was asked if the application of the “Motu Proprio” by  Benedict XVI on the Tridentine Mass would appear in the Directory and how frequent  the celebration would it have to be in the week.  Father Stefano responded that  stability, wherever possible, should be arrived at on a daily basis. Then it was asked how to proceed in the parishes and dioceses  where there was no sensitivity to this rite and how to resolve its transmission  on the radio as it foresaw many silent prayers.  The capitularies agreed on the superability of these problems and Padre Stefano stressed the importance, above all, of the conventual  Mass wherever  possible.  Finally, on the differences  of the liturgical calendars, a new document is expected from the Pope.  Regarding the directives  of internal order, the General Council would draw up an applicative protocol in function of this pontifical document.”
***
13)  In your view, did the Superior General  in unison with the General Council on the 21st of November 2011,with the “LITURGICAL NORMATIVE FOR THE “VETUS ORDO” (attached to this questionnaire) act by going beyond the decisions of the General Chapter in 2008, and [thus] creating some discontent in the Institute or did they actuate in the Institute, that which was foreseen , and by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum («Si communitates Institutorum vitae consecratae atque Societatum vitae apostolicae iuris sivpontificii sive dioecesani quae in celebratione conventuali seu “communitatis” in oratoriis propriis celebrationem sanctae Missae iuxta editionem Missalis Romani anno 1962 promulgatam habere cupiunt, id eis licet. Si singula communitas aut totum Institutum vel Societas tales celebrations saepe vel plerumque vel permanenter perficere vult, res a Superioribus maioribus ad normam iuris et secundum leges et statuta particularia decernatur.»),by the Instruction of the Pontifical Commision, Ecclesia Dei, Universae Ecclesia on the application of the Apostolic Letter, Motu Proprio given by Summorum Pontificum by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and by the directives given by the General Chapter?


14) If the Superior General and the General Council, with the “LITURGICAL NORMATIVE FOR THE “ VETUS ORDO” of the 21st Novemeber 2011 had gone beyond  what was established by the General Chapter in 2008, in your view, what should the response of the members of the Institute be ?


Obey blindly, because……..


Disobey, because………


Retain the Normative not binding, because…….


Request the extraordinary convocation of a General Chapter, because…….



IN BRIEF, TICK THE HEADINGS THAT YOU RETAIN THE MOST VALID WITH REFERENCE TO THE ISSUES BELOW


THE SUPERIOR GENERAL’S STYLE OF GOVERNMENT
Everything goes fundamentally well.
Problems exist resolvable by the Ordinary General Chapter.
Serious problems exist resolvable by a Extraordinary General Chapter.
Very serious problems exist that require an external Commissioner of the Institute.


THE DECISIONS OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL ON LITURGICAL MATTERS
Everything goes fundamentally well.
Problems exist resolvable by the Ordinary General Chapter.
Serious problems exist resolvable by an Extraordinary General Chapter.
Very serious problems exist that require an external Commissioner of the Institute.


THE DECISIONS OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL IN REFERENCE TO THE FORMATION OF YOUNG RELIGIOUS AND CANDIDATES TO THE PRIESTHOOD
Everything goes fundamentally well.
Problems exist resolvable by the Ordinary General Chapter.
Serious problems exist resolvable by an Extraordinary General Chapter.
Very serious problems exist that require an external Commissioner of the Institute.


THE RELATIONS OF THE SUPERIOR GENERAL WITH THE CONGREGATION OF THE FRANCISCAN SISTERS OF THE IMMACULATE
Everything goes fundamentally well.
Problems exist resolvable by the Ordinary General Chapter.
Serious problems exist resolvable by an Extraordinary General Chapter.
Very serious problems exist that require an external Commissioner of the Institute.




Date and place of compilation………………………………………….
(after having sworn tacto pectore of having answered according to conscience and truth)


Signature………………………………………………………………...


P.S. Put your signature on every sheet of paper of this questionnaire

_______________________