LMS's responses to the Responsa ad dubia

The Latin Mass Society is greatly disappointed by the Responsa ad dubia published by the Congregation for Divine Worship. In particular, we would like to note that the administration of the Sacrament of Confirmation by bishops to groups of the Faithful attached to the older liturgy greatly strengthened the sense of communion between people and bishop: this was a regular event in several dioceses in England and Wales and around the world. The ban on this in this new document does immediate severe harm to the very thing it claims to be promoting--the unity of the Church--and will contribute to a sense among the faithful of delibate marginalisation, and even a desire to impede our reception of the sacraments.

Even more severe is the ban on the use of older books for Ordinations. There have been many vocations from England and Wales to priestly Institutes which were set up with the Pope's approval to minister to the Faithful using the older liturgy. Preventing them from using the ancient rite of ordination undermines their whole raison d'etre.

We urge priests and bishops tasked with implementing this document to consider carefully the good of souls in doing so, which as the Code of Canon Law informs us, is the 'supreme law' (Canon  1752).

Joseph Shaw, Chairman.

Some notes on the Congregation for Divine Worship’s Responsa ad Dubia in light of Canon Law complied by the Latin Mass Society can be read HERE.