It seems that at the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, the Deatheaters have taken over the ministry.
Rorate Caeli has a long and detailed post with multiple documents that make clear the scope and brutality of the Apostolic intervention as it also makes clear the reason. The crime of the FFI was a ‘traditionalist drift’ within the order, as if traditionalism itself is an unholy crime deserving of punishment.
“The founder and ex- MinisterGeneral, Father Stefano Maria Manelli, in January 2012, had already evaded constructive dialogue with the religious who had complained of a crypto-lefebvrian and definitely traditionalist drift [in the community].
They have transferred the administration without cause saying their vow is to obey. They have closed the seminary. They have ceased their publications. They closed their ministries and disbanded the third order.
The draconian nature of this attack on the FFI is unprecedented in modern times and I will remind that NONE of these happened to the LCWR who are in open rebellion and in many cases open heresy. None of these things were done to them.
This is monstrous and it is time that more people started saying so.
Please read it all at Rorate.
December 12, 2013 at 4:29 pm
I cannot judge the souls of any of the people involved here, but holy people throughout the history of the Church have had the Church turn against them. See Sts. Teresa of Avila, Joan of Arc, Francis of Assisi, Benedict, and many, many more. Truth will win in the end.
December 12, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Please sign the petition for the changing of the commissioner at
http://www.corrispondenzaromana.it/firma-per-chiedere-le-dimissioni-di-padre-fidenzio-volpi/
If 5 friars could request an overseer and the deposing of the founders–who have done NOTHING wrong–then others have a right to ask for a different overseer. What we do not know is if all the harsh punishment for being faithful is from the overseer of if the directives come from higher up in the Curia. The TLM is hated in many circles as we know. Yes, the suffering is offered up. The young vocations are suppressed because they wish to follow the holy founders' charism. It is pontifical rite and no schism can ever be entertained.
December 12, 2013 at 9:56 pm
I singed the petition yesterday and as readers can see this is not as Cardinal Hoyos told us a few weeks ago something minor just about the Mass. This is outright blackballing going on and like it or not our new Man of the Year Francis the Fantastic has given his permission and approval. God help Them.
December 13, 2013 at 2:57 am
I find the silence of Catholic professional bloggers deafening–Patrick being the sole exception.
That says more about the state of the Church than the actual actions against FFI.
December 13, 2013 at 3:15 am
There are a few exceptions, a few speaking out against this apparent persecution and abuse of power. What are the charges against the Superior or other member of the Institute?
December 13, 2013 at 3:00 pm
The silence of 90% of the pros simply disgusts me. I won't name any names but there are a number of people who I am not reading anymore.
December 13, 2013 at 3:56 pm
The comparison with the actions taken against LCWR is quite a startling one indeed.
I've also stopped reading at least one blogger as a result, too.