FIUV Statement in Response to the Publication of
Universae Ecclesiae.
The publication of the document
Universae Ecclesiae on 13th May 2011 has generated much comment
and been the subject of detailed analysis in the media. The International Federation Una Voce would
like to present a different perspective on this document which it welcomes enthusiastically.
The Una Voce movement started in late 1964, before the end of the Second Vatican Council, to ensure
the retention of the age-old Latin language for the celebration of the Holy Mass. National societies
were formed and the International Federation Una Voce (FIUV) came into being formally in 1967. In
1970, following the introduction of the
Novus Ordo Missae, the emphasis had changed and the
members of the Una Voce Federation decided to strive for the preservation of the traditional Roman
rite as decreed by the Council Fathers in
Sacrosanctum Concilium (Art. 4), the document on the
liturgy.
In 1970, Dr Eric de Saventhem, the first President of the FIUV, said that the suppression of the
traditional Mass had been achieved
de facto only and not de jure. It would be unthinkable, he said, for
the older form of Mass to be forbidden as one would have to argue that it had been wrong or bad –
either doctrinally or pastorally.
In 1984 the Indult
Quattuor Abhunc Annos of Pope John Paul II granted a partial relaxation for the
celebration of the traditional Mass which was a small step forward. In 1988 the Indult
Ecclesia Dei
Adflicta
was more generous but the difficulty remained that a bishop’s permission was required and in
most instances this was not forthcoming. The situation remained very unsatisfactory – both for priests
and laity.
When Pope Benedict XVI was elected in 2005 he asked that people pray for him that he may not flee
for fear of the wolves. Notwithstanding the great obstacles being faced, the Holy Father promulgated
the
Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum in July 2007 and affirmed the right of all priests of the
Roman rite to celebrate the traditional Latin Mass, thus confirming the position of the Una Voce
Federation since 1970 that the traditional Mass may have been suppressed
de facto but not de jure. To
their shame, some in the Church refused to accept the will of the Holy Father and the legitimate
aspirations of many of the faithful and were determined to undermine this
Motu Proprio at every
opportunity. It was this negative and obstructive stance that made necessary a subsequent document to
clarify certain matters.
Although some have commented that
Universae Ecclesiae still leaves some questions unclear, what is
perfectly clear is that the Holy Father has fully restored to the universal Church the traditional Roman
rite as enshrined in the liturgical books of 1962, that the rubrics in force in 1962 must be strictly
observed, and that Latin and the
Usus Antiquior must be taught in seminaries where there is a pastoral
need. And this pastoral need must be determined by those who wish to benefit from
Summorum
Pontificum
and Universae Ecclesiae, and not be decided by those many in authority whose natural
desire is to prevent their implementation.
The International Federation Una Voce has worked patiently and tirelessly for the restoration of the
traditional liturgy for more than 40 years and is now witnessing a vindication of its fidelity to Holy
Mother Church and the See of Peter. The Federation expresses its thanks, prayers, and admiration to
our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, and praises his courage in not fleeing in the face of the wolves.
The Federation also extends its thanks and gratitude to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, and to
those bishops and priests who have also striven, often in great personal difficulty, to preserve and
foster the traditional liturgy for this and future generations.
Leo Darroch, President – Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce.
17
May 2011.
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