FIUV Meetings in Rome - 2006 (3)

24th/25th November 2006

Following the very public statements of the bishops of eastern France in October and the comments of certain German bishops after their ad limina visits to Rome in November it appeared imperative that the FIUV made its voice heard in Rome to speak on behalf of the laity and those many faithful parish priests who wished to celebrate the traditional Mass with greater freedom.

On 24th November the President Jack Oostveen, Secretary Leo Darroch and Treasurer Mrs Monika Rheinschmitt visited Rome and had meetings in the Congregation for the Clergy, The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the Congregation for Divine Worship, and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In order to restore the balance of the inaccurate picture presented in Rome by various prelates the FIUV delegates presented a dossier of the reality of life in many countries under the restrictions on the celebration of the traditional Mass imposed by the bishops’ conferences. The dossier included initial comments and then individual reports from many countries. In addition to copies of the dossier being presented in those congregations visited, a copy was also sent to Cardinal Bertone at the Secretariat of State. A copy of the initial comments in the dossier is attached with this report – see below.

An encouraging response to this dossier was received from Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos. The first of December the FIUV President, Jack Oostveen, received a letter from his Eminence in which he said:

“Thank you for the documentation regarding the situation of the Mass celebrated according to the 1962 missal in several countries, produced by you. I assure you, the Holy See is labouring with regards to the priests and faithful to find a solution that will do justice to all who it concerns.
Therefore several options are being examined in view of the good of the whole Church.”

The leadership of the Una Voce Federation will continue at every opportunity to represent the views of its members with the appropriate authorities in Rome.

Jack P. Oostveen – President.
Leo Darroch – Acting Secretary.
Mrs Monika Rheinschmitt – Treasurer.