Sunday, March 29, 2015

THE PASCHAL VIGIL: WHAT THE STATUTE REALLY SAYS


This year, as with years past, we can once again expect controversy over the NCW's separate celebration of its own Paschal Vigil (Easter Vigil). In some parishes the controversy will be very visible. "Regular" Catholics will be hurried out of their churches after the regularly scheduled vigil so that NCW communities can come in and celebrate theirs.

Since the archbishop will not address the problem, let us once again find an opportunity in this controversy to educate ourselves:

Last year, some bishops and pastors began prohibiting a separate celebration of the Paschal Vigil by the NCW. They chose to do this after Pope Francis publicly told the NCW:
"...it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand, in order to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community." - February 1, 2014, Address of Pope Francis to the Neocatechumenal Way

Kiko got mad and complained to the pope. The pope responded by reminding Kiko that the practices of the NCW are legitimate insofar as they conform to its "regulatory charter of reference" (the 2008 Statute)":

"...the celebrations of the Paschal Vigil and the Sunday Eucharist, mentioned by you, articles 12 and 13, read in their entirety, constitute therefore the regulatory charter of reference."  - April 3, 2014, Archbishop Angelo Becciu's Letter to Kiko Arguello

As one would expect from a pope, the answer is both kind and diplomatic, but it also contains a critical reminder to Kiko: "read in their entirety". There is no reason for the founder of the NCW to be told to read the Statute in its "entirety". So, it is "telling" that the pope here instructs Kiko to do so. 

The pope also know that his letter is not just to Kiko. He knows that many others will read the letter. And he is telling us all that the NCW is legitimate only insofar as it conforms to its "regulatory charter of reference."

The pope's words are both protective and instructional. He is saying that we have no right to criticize the NCW (protective) so long as it stays within its "regulatory charter" (instructional) - which is all we have ever said on this blog. 

The pope is not a policeman. He is a father. Thus he is not locking up the NCW for breaking a law (its regulatory charter) he is reminding them of how to behave if they want to receive the protection of the church (i.e. stay Catholic). 

So what does the Statute actually say about the celebration of the Paschal Vigil? 

As with most church documents, the Statute builds on previous instructions which are only footnoted. The relevant section of the Statute for the celebration of the Paschal Vigil (Art.12 §3) references footnote 46 which reads:

46. See CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP, Circular Letter, Paschalis Sollemnitatis, 39–42, 77–96. - Art. 12 § 3. Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way

In paragraph 94 of Pachalis Sollemnitatis, we read:

"The celebration of the Easter Vigil for special groups is not to be encouraged since, above all in this Vigil, the faithful should come together as one and should experience a sense of ecclesial community."

Now compare this to the pope's words to the NCW of Feb. 1, 2014:

"it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand, in order to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community."

There's those exact words "ecclesial community"

The bishops and pastors who were forbidding a separate celebration of the Paschal Vigil by the NCW were simply doing so because that's what the Statute demands, and they were newly encouraged to do so by the pope's own words of Feb. 1, 2014.

And when Kiko complained, the pope simply reminded him (and everyone else) to read the statute in "its entirety".

Of course, Kiko and his ilk (including our own bishop) will NOT read the statute in "its entirety". They will read the statute - if they read it at all - in a way that justifies their separation from the "ecclesial community".

And then they'll derive their authority to do so from the fact that they are getting away with it.

Really? Is this what Kiko means when he says "adult faith"?


40 comments:

  1. Thank you once again for our continuous education, Tim. If only the Archbishop or any of the NCW heads engages you in an honest and open discussion of what you just stated, this controversy would have been resolved a long time ago. They could put you and us in our proper places if they defend well their practices just like the distribution of the Holy Host. Unfortunately, from what you have stated they can't defend their practices. But more than not being able to defend their practices, the main consideration of looking into their practices is if this causing a division in our church, then they should stop that practice. Anyways, I don't think they think our practices are wrong. Or do they?

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    1. The archbishop thinks our practices are wrong. He said so onKOLG in 2006. I'll post the link later but it's under one of the tabs.

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    2. Ebet, the archbishop openly defied the pope on KOLG essentially saying the pope is wrong while he (AAA) is right (because it is what his NCW superiors have taught him). Our practices as delineated in the GIRM are right. Any practice not following the GIRM is wrong, and the archbishop knows this yet still insists on following what the NCW practices despite the fact that they've taken liberties while engaging in their practices.

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    3. What is appalling is the arrogance of kiko to say that what The Catholic Church practices is wrong! If it is indeed wrong, why does our bishop have two ways of celebrating the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass? One way with the ncw and the other, on Sundays at the Cathedral or at any of our Parishes where he happens to be the Celebrant? Why, then, does he not follow and use the ncw's mass practices at all Mass said in this archdiocese? What is the archbishop afraid of with doing that?

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    4. Ever notice how presbyter Jucutan sometimes hesitates as if to remind himself he's not celebrating a neo mass on Sunday?

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    5. Anon 3:52 p.m. The archbishop is probably afraid if does the NCW "mass" with regular Catholics there would be an immediate rebellion with most people leaving and taking their money with them. I definitely would be one of them.

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    6. For too long the AAA has been allowing the NCW to do their own thing and Rome never bothered since no one was making it known. Like out of sight--out of mind, that's what's gone on. Well, hopefully now they know and lay the smackdown on them! Holy Week and all this continues...aye adai! Lord have mercy on us all.

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  2. Is there any way to find out which churches will be celebrating separately for the NCW?

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  3. Thank-you for the education, but now I have another question I am hoping you will answer. What exactly is the purpose of the Statute? I am guessing that the “homegrown” catholic lay group cult that was on my college campus and others campuses at the time did not have a Statute approved by the Vatican, and thus the bishops were able to kick them out of their dioceses when they realized what they were dealing with. I believe this also happened with the NCW in England somewhere. Does the Statute give the ability to operate within a diocese once a bishop has invited them, but then the bishop cannot expel them unless they do not the follow the rules of the Statute? Does the Statute give the NCW some sort of protection thus they can appeal expulsion via Vatican legal processes?

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    1. Great questions. Will be back in a bit.

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    2. The NCW statutes are approved insofar as their non- liturgical practices. Nothing more. Problem is they persist with liturgical abuses with no adverse consquences because the archbishop, who's responsibility is make sure there is no abuse, is one of them. It's like the top law enforcement official breaking the law along with his officers and are able to get away with it.

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    3. Fr.Matthew Blockley.March 29, 2015 at 4:47 PM

      I think this is a reference to Diocese of Clifton. Bishop Alexander removed NCW from the Diocese for it had caused so much division. Not a respected Organization in England.

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    4. Contrary to what it sometimes may seem like or what at times we want to believe, the Church is not a democracy. It has one singular authority in the pope, the successor of Peter to whom Jesus Christ entrusted as its caretaker. But the worldwide Church is far too large for one person to shepard, so it has developed a kind of decentralized model of governance. Bishops are supposed to be the local representatives of the pope in their respective diocese. They are not supposed to contradict the pope or contravene the rules established by his team and undersigned by his express approval.

      This what makes our struggle with the NCW so frustrating. We have a bishop who is not acting in the place of the pope. In fact ours lets the NCW pretty much run amok in the diocese because he is one of them. They have to fish through public statements made the pope, taking excerpts and sound bites to manufacture an approval of their practices. Let it be clear, if the pope truly approved of all of the neo digressions from the liturgical norm, he would come right and say it. As it stands, he has yet to do so and Kiko uses this to rationalize that the absence of disapproval must equate to an approval. Following this argument, the pope has never denounced the efforts of the junglewatch so he must then also likewise approve of our efforts. We stand on the entire archive of the written laws of the Church. The NCW stands on a single secret document which as far as we can tell, they don't even follow.

      The moment Apuron departed from the liturgical norms, the moment he went on a public spree to destroy good priests who refused to accept the Way, he broke communion with the pope and therefore, as far as I care, he no longer represents the pope and no longer speaks or act with any authority...period. His title is hollow, his cup - bone dry.

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  4. Is not a bishop or an archbishop the officially designated trusted agent by the Vatican to act as chief catechist on a diocesan level on behalf of the Pope? Why is the Archbishop acting in defiance of the Holy Father's directive, i.e., the GIRM? Where is the Vicar General of the Archdiocese who makes sure that everything is in accordance with their head catechist in Rome? The general principle in the universal church is the principle of subsidiarity, why isn't there an official sanction against these impostors who had broken with the chain of authority in Rome? With Guam getting away with this impropriety, are they not setting a dangerous precedent for the universal church? Are they not setting a standard for protected chaos?

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    1. I was researching the topic of Powers of a Bishop and one source showed that Bishops supposedly have powers that the laity and clergy cannot challenge successfuly. Simply put, a bishop can run things as ha sees fit to ensure the salvation of the faithful. The problem we have is a mentally unfit archbishop who is pressuring traditional Catholics to join the Way. And please Neos, don't say he's not because we have more than enough proof that he is. Another point, what you Neos are selectively "forgetting" is the pope's instruction that your are to assimilate into the main Catholic community NOT the other way around. Get it? Sheeesh!
      P.S. For what it's worth, bishops probably wrote the piece about how much power they have. No wonder the floor of hell is lined with the skulls of bishops.
      Rome, DO SOMETHING!!

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  5. Yesterday I went to the movies and watched the animated "Home." As many moviegoers know it was about the hostile takeover of earth by the Boovs. They resettled humans away from their beloved homes so they can live on earth, protected by a supposed "evil" enemy. They were "takers" rather than "givers." I saw a clear analogy with the ncw takeover of our churches, the true faith and traditions, and the sentiments we held precious in our hearts. It only takes clarity of purpose, an open heart and a firm resolve to discover truth that can bring about the survival and recovery of things we once hold dear.

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  6. Lie, lie, lies Tim. The communities never hurry people in Church. Plus the Paschal celebration are open to everyone.

    Quit making up stuff when your in the sideline while sucking your thumb.

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    1. According to your own statute there is to be only one Pashal Vigil per parish. Yet you have your own separate from the main parish. Do you not?

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    2. Yes they're going to have their separate service somewhere, I've heard of all night vigil outdoors til sunrise, as well as the "masses" that go on in the hotel ballrooms where they baptize people in their neo tubs, dunking naked babies full body, then parading them around the room while they chant their Neo songs. I've seen actual video footage of this being done at the Lotte Ballroom.

      Oh yeah..totally like the easter vigils I remember growing up....NOT. How bout you Neos finally just break free and come clean that YOU ARE NOT CATHOLIC, and be done with leeching off our resources.

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    3. I will not and cannot follow someone who attempts to cite fact, yet remains anonymous. Accuse us all for being liars all you want, the truth of the matter speaks before us.

      There is to be only one Paschal celebration per Parish according to the magisterium of the Church through the Roman Missal. It's really quite simple.

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    4. 3:52 PM, can you read and comprehend anything other tha Neo writing? You folks are so lost in your KIKO Wonderland that you're no longer able to recognize truth. Since you mentioned sucking, I bet it's not your thumb you're sucking.

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    5. Pius, is that you? What community do you belong to? Is it the Barrigada community? Is it the Agana community? Which is it? Guess you are out here to make sure the Archbishop Anthony Apple Wrong, RMS CAPUCHINO is behaving and doing your bidding! You seem to keep a keen eye on this tiny island!

      BTW PIus, why don't you ask Ashton Wong what he said before the Agana parishioners during his testiclemony! What was it Ashton? Oh yes, the RMS does not form priest. It forms men! Oops, guess his name should follow sir Anthony RMS CAPUCHINO...Ashton Wrong, this is the wrong reason to enter the seminary. Two Wrongs don't make a right!

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    6. I am a parishioner of the Cathedral. We use to have the Easter Vigil later in the evening, however last year the time changed to 7:00 pm because the AAA wanted to go to his community vigil...so Anon 3:17 don't tell me communities never hurry people in church...we are all required to hurry up to accommodate NEO communities.

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    7. Just watched streaming Mass...all neo priests on the altar...some from RMS. Invasion is complete. Disgusting.

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  7. Fr.Matthew Blockley.March 29, 2015 at 4:42 PM


    There is only one church one ecclesial community. Business of private Easter Vigils is stupid.

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    1. Don't worry, Blockley, they have their OWN paschal candle. Diana told me so. Hanging out at Saint Lukes coffee shop not doing you any good.

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    2. Go to your Parish "community" and give the money you spend on a HOTEL to the poor. AND, when you Baptize, where do you REGISTER the Baptism. Please, answer this question. Baptisms are registered IN THE PARISH. Where are the certificates in your responsible's kitchen junk drawer?

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  8. Anon @ 3:52pm, Why does the NCW communities have to celebrate the Easter Vigil separately from the rest of us that attend the vigil at the parish? Why can't the communities attend the parish Easter Vigil?

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  9. Anon @ 3:52pm, Why does the NCW communities have to celebrate the Easter Vigil separately from the rest of us that attend the vigil at the parish? Why can't the communities attend the parish Easter Vigil?

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  10. What if I planned to attend one of the Hotel vigils? Would I be admitted? OR NOT? Anybody?

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    1. Just like the "Hotel California" you are welcome. You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave! Do you really want to take that risk?

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  11. 8:13, the neo zombies will be able to sniff you out. Their presbyters will tie you up and force you to do many things: coerce confession of sexual nature that you have to confess before others for their deviant satisfaction, force you to promise and nauseate Catholic faithful during the time slated for homily by the priest, foist upon you the obligation to support Kiko and Genarrini by committing your property and your family's inheritance, so many other things that will leave you no choice but to slavishly agree to everything. Before you go to the hotel "Easter Vigil" ask yourself why bother, it is detriment to your faith and morals because it is not "Catholic" and certainly not in compliance with Rome. In reality it is a coven held in combo with other groups like the Druids and the Wiccans who dance naked among the trees and beach areas in the cover of the moon and the howling of the taotaomonas.

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  12. In my Parish, the priest is a member of the NCW, every year our Easter celebration is rushed and hurried affair so that it can be over as soon as possible. This is so that the priest can be on time to celebrate with his NCW community. Parishioners who are not in the NCW are treated like 2nd class parishioners in their own parish, it is most upsetting that we have to endure this, especially at Easter, all we can do is to offer up this injustice in prayer. Please pray for us.

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    1. No, there is much more you can do! Get involved.

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  13. Aren't the Liturgical documents a bit more assertive? I know I read somewhere that there is only to be one celebration per parish, one pascal Candle, one Easter fire... one,holy, catholic and APOSTOLIC church. Didn't know kiku was an apostle to be able to change the rules.
    on a more serious note, by their having their own celebration they are declaring themselves a different parish, perhaps even a different church!
    What say you archbishop????

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  14. Folks, the bottom line is all these additional groups such as the NCW have caused a major division in our Catholic Church on Guam. If they know what their actions have caused, they have an obligation to fix it. If they choose to ignore these problems and/or just do not care, then we all have an obligation to defend our Church from these insurgents from within. But, we need to speak with one loud voice. This is why my family supports the CCOG. Because we are also Catholics who are concerned for the overall welfare of our Church. I urge you all to stand and speak with one voice. God Bless everyone. Get educated on the facts and take a stand!

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  15. Diana speaks..."I highly doubt that the NCW was supposed to follow the Easter Vigil of the parish, but rather that we were the example and role model that the parishes were supposed to follow. As the Statutes stated, "the Neocatechumenate will stimulate the parish to have a richer celebration of the Paschal Vigil". It was not the other way around. "


    Oh my, she is delusional.

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    1. LOL. Look for a post on this.

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    2. The NCW stimulating traditional Catholics is a big joke. Dingbat Diana, go stimulate yourself!!

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