Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini is tilting at windmills. What is this act of futility you ask?
In response to the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, the famously liberal Cardinal has vocally refused to celebrate the ‘Latin Mass’? In his dramatic refusal, the Cardinal sets up the usual straw man.
The cardinal said he loved the Latin language and would have no trouble celebrating Latin mass.
“But I will not do it,” he wrote.
The 80-year-old cardinal also defended Vatican II, saying it “took a major step forward in the understanding of the liturgy”.
So there you have it. The Cardinal loves Latin, but in a heroic act of self sacrificial futility, refuses to say the mass according to the extraordinary form in order to save Vatican II.
I know, I know. You are thinking, “saying the old mass is not an attack on Vatican II. The Pope was very clear on this! This makes no sense!” Don’t let truth get in the way of a grand gesture! Cardinal Martini believes he will single handedly turn back the traditionalist barbarians at the gate and lead his people to the ‘Spirit of Vatican II’ promised land. A land overflowing with folk music and liturgical dance.
What is more, the Cardinal has finally met a liturgical innovation he doesn’t like. Saying the mass in Latin according to the 1962 missal is just too out there!
“A bishop cannot ask his priests to satisfy all individual demands,” he said in an article published by Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper.
For 40 years individual demands and tastes ruled the day leading to heretofore unthinkable liturgical craziness, and now the Cardinal has finally had enough.
It does appear, however, that the Cardinal is in favor of one the pre-Vatican II position, he has just turned his back to the people.
July 30, 2007 at 1:34 pm
“A bishop cannot ask his priests to satisfy all individual demands,” he said in an article published by Il Sole 24 Ore newspaper.
The Summorum Pontificum was not issued by the accord of a group of liberal bishops…it was issued by His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI.
Tilting at windmills, indeed!
July 30, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Shame on the cardinal for being so rigid and intolerant!
But he is totally free to never offer the extraordinary form of the Mass! He has a choce where many who loved this form have had no choice for almost 40 years.
Besides, ideally only those who truly love thie form should offer it for it deserves to be offered with the utmost love and care.
July 30, 2007 at 4:33 pm
Zzzzzzzz…
Did he have to go shopping for a journalist for this? Or was he/they on speed dial?
Or rather, do journalists have certain Bishops (like Milingo et. al.) in their Rolodex for some good copy when they need it?
July 30, 2007 at 6:11 pm
I know, I know… this is Bishop Martini (the same one who cried on July 7th…) but this is truly posturing at it’s best…as though there is some “requirement” that he say the Latin Mass now, but he will, alas, refuse to do so in the name of progress! Also, the journalist writing the article seems to be under the impression that the Motu proprio was about the language of the Mass, and proceeds as though Martini is refusingto say it because it is in latin… this is at least confusing, and at worst misinformation. Perhaps H.H Benedict XVI will issue a “directive” to ALL BISHOPS (and Cardinals!) concerning statements to the faithful and to the press concerning the Traditional Mass issue.
July 30, 2007 at 7:05 pm
I just do not understand how/why such liberal cardinals and bishops come to be appointed to their positions in the first place! Why did popes of the recent past elevate such arrogant, maverick, heresy-spewing men to positions of leadership and influence? I pray Pope Benedict XVI breaks this trend.
July 31, 2007 at 9:22 pm
I mean, honestly, does anyone really care whether he offers the True Mass? With his history of liberalism and faithlessness to the Faith, do you even think his Mass would be valid? Would he even have the proper intention?