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| Hair shirt? Been there, done that |
That question is, of course, purely hypothetical as we do not know what indiscretions the Order is supposed to have committed.
But, I think I would start at the penitential end; I might consider asking those in the Order to undertake some form of penance such as dedicating one day each week to mortification and prayer.
Or, possibly, abstaining from meat for three months, or wearing hair shirts - but, perhaps the good Friars already do those sort of things.
These days, punishments are supposed to be given in a positive manner. Thus, if the sixth form at school had corporately committed some offence, they might be required to give up their free periods or time to works of good mercy, maybe even praying for a specific period before a crucifix.
If you applied this to the Friars, you could impose on them the duty to increase the number of EF Masses they attend daily....to beneficially open up the potential for an increase in God's grace and a greater spiritual depth to those in the Order.
It was just a thought.
On the other hand, if you were the first - and highly publicised - newly appointed member of the Curia, under an incoming liberal pope, you might want to enjoy your moment of revenge on the Johnny-come-lately "hippies in Franciscan habits" as the OFM sees the vibrant FFI community.
ReplyDeleteCarballo ease off! This is not what would have happened under Benedict XVI, and you know it.
The liberals are taking revenge on the small gains that were made under Benedict XVI. According to their ligo, they are 'normalizing' the conservatives and traditionalists.
ReplyDeleteI still am confused as to why Pope Benedict resigned. It just is going from bad to worse. We need direct divine intervention.
I think you are being unfair to those who had the job of straightening things out. I also think that it is very unlikely that removing the automatic right to celebrate the extraordinary rite is primarily a punishment. A section of the Immaculate friars complained to Rome. Rome had a visitation. Things were out of hand. The problem was centred on the celebration of the two rites. Many orders do this without any problem. Here they have a problem. It is a total misuse of the Mass in any language that it should be a cause of division. In many places with the two forms of Mass, there is no division. Here there was a division. Obviously a very serious division. Rome did what it has often done in all kinds of circumstances: it imposed a superior from outside, and to calm the irritation it has imposed the Misa normativa for the time being, allowing the other only when it is not going to contribute more bitterness. The job of the outside superior will be to try and reach an agreement which has the consent of all, get them to elect a superior, and then leave them to get on with their own life. All this talk about vengeance and "liberals" etc shows a lack of maturity and balance on the part of those who talk that way, something I have noticed in a number of advocates of the Latin Mass; though there are probably immature advocates of the Misa normativa as well! Perhaps that was the problem!
ReplyDeleteDavid Bird, you appear to have something of a chip on your shoulder with regard to the Latin Mass and its followers. I can assure you that we are not in retreat, and neither are we homophobes. Some of us dislike homosexuals as well as the act of homosexuality - nothing wrong in that.
ReplyDeleteAs far as disciplining an order is concerned, I think my view is apparent from my post.