Scottish Bishop expands Latin Mass Provision Ahead of Illicit Episcoal Consecration

Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen, Scotland, issued a pastoral letter on Saturday ahead of the planned episcopal consecration of Fr. Michael Mary, F.SS.R., superior general and founder of the Transalpine Redemptorists. The "consecration" is scheduled to take place on July 25 on Papa Stronsay in Orkney. It is performed by three Sedevacantist "bishops" from the Americas.

Bishop Gilbert said the consecration would constitute an act of schism. He compared it with the July 1 consecration of four bishops by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X.

The bishop noted that the planned consecration directly concerns the Diocese of Aberdeen because Papa Stronsay lies within its geographical boundaries.

At the same time, Bishop Gilbert expanded the provision of the Mass in the Roman rite at the Church of Our Lady of the Garioch and St. John the Evangelist in Fetternear. The Mass, previously offered once a month, will now be celebrated every Sunday.

After the Transalpine Redemptorists became Sedevacantist, Bishop Gilbert initially asked diocesan priest Fr. Bruno Murphy to provide the Masses. Under the new arrangement, the regular celebrants will be Fr. Yousef Marie, F.SS.R., and Fr. Peter Mary, F.SS.R., former members of the Papa Stronsay community who have dissociated themselves from its present direction.

In his pastoral letter, Bishop Gilbert directed that all Eucharists celebrated throughout the diocese last Sunday should use the prayers for the unity of the Church.

Picture: Hugh Gilbert © wikipedia, CC BY-SA, #newsHoezdqgokg