Public Prayer, Fasting and Online Protest Against Crackdown of a Florishing Roman Mass Apostolate
Tensions have arisen over the decision of Bishop François Durand (51) of Valence, in the southeastern Drôme region of France, to close the long-standing apostolate of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter (FSSP). This apostolate was founded in September 1988.
Catholics in Valence and Montélimar have started a strict fast and prayer vigil near the Church of Notre Dame in Valence. Some are sleeping in tents in the car park.
Around 400 parish members signed an open letter on LeDauphine.com, urging the bishop to reconsider.
The Masses and the entire apostolate, including 13 catechism groups, are set to end on September 1.
The diocese justified the crackdown by claiming "repeated disregard for diocesan guidance". However, the key point of contention has just been the FSSP’s refusal to concelebrate the Chrism Mass in the Novus Ordo.
On 15 May, Bishop Durand had announced that the celebration of Sunday Mass in the Roman rite would be entrusted to diocesan clergy. All other sacraments willl be …More
So the FSSP are disobedient to their Diocesan Bishop? "the key point of contention has just been the FSSP’s refusal to concelebrate the Chrism Mass in the Novus Ordo." Who has trouble recognizing the FSSP as a Novus Ordo organization? Oy vey!
@Orthocat Yes! Also because they must accept Vatican 2 as it is spelled out to them by the local ordinary. Go against the Novus Ordo Vatican Two sect and boom! God bless you!
At the time the FSSP separated from the SSPX, one of the rules they were required to accept was participating in the concelebrated Chrism Mass each year. I don't know if new ordinands have to agree with that, although it was part of their agreement.
@Mary K Jones and accept without exception the entire Second Vatican Council, with all its heresies.