Showing posts with label Franciscans of the Immaculate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franciscans of the Immaculate. Show all posts

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Animus Delendi Against the Franciscans of the Immaculate Continues -- Obsessive Micromanaging by Bergoglian Bureaucracy

(Rome) The battle against the  Franciscans of the Immaculata continues. Hardly had Pope Francis mounted the throne of Peter, than the opponents of the traditional rite in the Order felt themselves strong enough, with his agreement, to place the once thriving men's branch of the order under a provisional administration.  The women's branch "only" received an apostolic delegate as an overseer, but was still drawn in sympathy with the men's Order because of its close spiritual and institutional connectedness. With a confidential decree of 19. October 2015, the Roman Congregation for Religious reinforced its resolve to proceed further against the men's and women's branches of the Order. In his decree Pope Francis is obliging the women's order to avoid a "special vow" or "solemn promise." What this involves can be read herein.  

The New Decree

"Because of credible information about a private vow (or promise) of special obedience, which is reserved to some male and female religious to the founder, which has been placed above the general vows of obedience owed to the superior, has prompted this dicastry to bring this problem to the attention of the Holy Father, who has given a special mandate to deal specifically with this problem.

Therefore, the Congregation for the Institute of Consecrated Life and for the Societies of Apostolic Life in enforcing this mandate for the good of the souls of all members of the Franciscans of the Immaculata, and all eventually bound to these institutions, by private vows (or promises) of a special nature to founders or foundresses.


In consequence it will be necessary that in future this vow or promise in future is not practiced either in its current or any future form.

With that this annuls any document, should such exist,  in its value, such that it involves in any way the vow (or promise) named here.  

It is the obligation of responsible authority in both institutes to make these stipulations known in a measured and discrete way to all members belonging currently to the institutes so that they can know how they are to respond if any have been placed under such a vow.

Superiors will be instructed by the Dicastry about the times and modalities for the introduction of this decree.
Released against anything to the contrary, from the Vatican, on 19th of October 2015.
Joao Braz Card. de Aviz
Prefect
+ José Rodriguez Carballo OFM
Erzbischof Sekretär

The Accompanying Music by  Corriere della Sera

Dekret der Ordenskongregation vom 19. Oktober 2015
Decree From the Congregation of Religious on  vom 19. Oktober 2015

The desired musical accompaniment by the Corriere della Sera

Decree of the Congregation of the Order of 19 October 2015
Decree of the Congregation of the Order of 19 October 2015
The Corriere della Sera gave on  a backgroundn report Thursday for   for the unusual decree. It  took great pains  to make the desired background music in support of the Decree. The Order is made ​​by blending diverse elements under general suspicion. But telling signs can be seen Interspersed between.  
The article refers back to a Franciscan  of the Immaculate, who wanted neither to be named  or photographed. He had stated:  without giving any reasons, that there are new efforts around the deposed Founder  Fr Stefano Maria Manelli and the Vatican in 2013,  to establish a new  Old Rite Order. "They do not want to acknowledge the Modern",  the anonymous brother  who is against these efforts, allegedly told Corriere della SeraThe special vow (or promise) was linked to these aspirations for a new foundation and concerns those men and women religious, who have remained faithful to the Founder.

Aspirations for a New Old Rite Establishment

The Decree by the Congregation of Religious which was in turn adopted with papal approval, says at the outset that there were "credible" reports. The decree itself reveals, however, that the Vatican has adopted it on the basis of conjecture, without having any concrete evidence. The decree thus sounds like a new shot across the bow, which clarifies that the religious congregation remains determined to disrupt  order from recognition and to subject it to re-education.  Anyway, nothing should be remain of  the actual charisma of the Order.
The fact is that there are, since the Autumn of 2013, efforts of monks and nuns to found a new religious in which the true charism lives. That charism of fidelity to tradition and the rediscovery of the traditional rite, which had led the Order to its heyday and was shattered by the raging, appointed in 2013 and now deceased Apostolic Commissar, the Capuchin Fidenzio Volpi.  So far, however, nothing is known about a "special vow." 

Congregation of Religious Unwilling to Allow Reestablishment

The Congregation appointed a new Commissar last June with  Salesians Sabino Ardito, and there was hope that he would lead the Order with a calmer hand. However, the Congregation of Religious does not seem willing to grant such a rest. Above all, it seems to want to prevent the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate from carrying out a new religious foundation. Commissar Volpi had warned  Italian Bishops during the General Assembly of the Italian Bishops' Conference not to take Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in their dioceses.
As early as autumn 2013. dozens brothers had applied to the Congregation of Religious to be released from their religious vows. The canonically compliant departure from  the altered Order should have given them the opportunity to ask for incardination in dioceses and free them up for the path to reestablishment of an Order. The Congregation has refused until today, however, such a dispensation. Cardinal Braz de Aviz and Pope Francis do not want the Order of Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 2, since the Order of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate 1 have placed under provisional control ​​and broken. 
Thus, the brothers are forced by the Congregation to remain in the Order, although this is no longer the same Oder since the provisional administration than the one which they were originally committed to.  Should they leave without a dispensation of the Order, which have a number of well done, this puts them canonically in the wrong.  Each Bishop, or superior of another order, and especially by the Vatican could go against them in the field, since they are not in a canonically regular position. In short their lives would be  on end of a  rope indefinitely. It's a situation that brings brothers and sisters into a fitful moral dilemma. Above all, one does not change an order like a shirt.

What is at stake in the matter: A brief review

The ordeal of  Father Manelli's order, who was ousted from the Order until the summer of 2013, so continues. Reminder: The Order of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate was created after the Second Vatican Council. While other orders over abruptly "modernized", Father Manelli went the opposite way and wanted to return to the roots of the Minorite Order, to which he belonged at the time. He joined an increasing number of young men and women, so in 1990 a new foundation was necessary for religious revival of the Order of Friars Minor of St. Francis of Assisi.
Under Pope Benedict XVI.   the young discovered, with the blessing of numerous vocations,  the traditional rite. The priests concelebrated in for reasons of pastoral care in both forms of the Roman Rite. Internally the Order underwent the change from the new rite to the traditional rite. The result was an even more rapid growth of the Order, which would then set up a number of new monasteries and take over  pastoral care in parishes and sanctuaries.
The Order did not belong, because of its development, to the old ritual Ecclesia Dei -communities but was under the Congregation of Religious like all new rite communities.  That made ​​it an anomaly that was before 2013, an example to all th other new rite orders.
Thus arose also a violent resistance within the Order. The resistance of a small internal minority, who would not  tolerate the traditional rite. For the same reason there was also resistance from among other church circles who believed they recognized a hazard in the Order. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate had a thriving community, and were viewed enviously by the other orders. Above all, it seemed to be the living proof that the often prostrate  nature of religious orders can be revived even in Europe through the stern austerity, tradition and the traditional rite. The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate were on the way under Pope Benedict XVI. to becoming a potential model for other orders. It was an idea that came not with undivided joy.

With the papal election of 2013, the problems started

Under Pope Benedict XVI. no one dared openly to oppose the Order. The German Pope had returned the traditional rite with the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum to the universal Church. In implementation of this Motu Proprio, the Order had returned to the traditional rite. The German pope was especially closely connected with the Franciscans of the Immaculate, too closely, so that the envious and chief opponents of the traditional rite would never have dared to lay hands.
With the unexpected resignation of Benedict and the election of Pope Francis, the situation had changed radically in one fell swoop. The Argentinian Pope was soon repeatedly recognized for his dislike of the representatives of tradition and also that he retained the traditional rite as  a passing "fad." Now it happened in quick succession.Citing and in cooperation with the small band of five brothers who complained to the Congregation of Religious, Father Manelli and the entire Order leadership were deposed and replaced by an Apostolic Commissar, the said Father Volpi, and he also no friend of the traditional rite. The Order now lacked the protection afforded by the Ecclesia Dei 's own communities.

The Imposition of the "new Mercy"

To this day, the Vatican has offered no reasons for this serious interference. Only unofficial hints by Commissioner Volpi and the Curial Archbishop Carballo, who has been appointed by Pope Francis secretary of the Congregation for Religious could show that it comes to an ideological struggle against tradition and the traditional rite. This is suggested, since celebration of the old rite was banned for all  priests  by decree of the provisional administration. In open opposition to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum every priest of the Order had to individually apply for a special permission to celebrate the old rite again. It was a demonstrative act of reducing and downgrading of the traditional rite, with which the Order members  were   shown what is now required under the new conditions in the Vatican and what is not.
Pope Francis withdrew the possibility from the astonished friars the right to appeal against the decree in opposition to the Congregation of Religious. The case would have ultimately landed before the judgment seat of Cardinal Raymond Burke, the then Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, an incorruptible Canon Law expert and declared friend of the traditional rite. This should be avoided. Basically, as well as the  aforementioned rejection of dispensation, shows that Order members should be compelled for re-education.
Pope Francis has dedicated his pontificate to the theme of mercy. Yet he has showed the Franciscans of the Immaculate anything but mercy.
 Text: Giuseppe Nardi 
Image: Mil
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

New Commissar of the Franciscans of the Immaculate: Father Sabino Ardito SDB

(Rome) Fr. Sabino Ardito is the new Apostolic Commissioner of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate. He belongs to the Salesian Order of Don Bosco and is a well-known canon lawyer. He teaches at the Pontifical Salesian University in Rome and has been employed in various departments of the Roman Curia.
Father Ardito succeeds  Father Fidenzio Volpi OFM Cap.  who was deceased on 7 June at the age of 75.  Father Volpi had died as a result of a brain hemorrhage suffered on 29 April. The Capuchin had been appointed in July 2013 as the Apostolic Commissioner of the Order, which he left in a disastrous state.
Unlike Volpi, who was the sole Commissioner, Father Ardito is supported by two coadjutors, a Jesuit and a Capuchin. They, too, were chosen from among canonists, that canon law, "which was little respected by the previous provisional administration," said Corrispondenza Romana .
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Chiesa e postcincilio
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Commissar Volpi's Credibility --- Judicial Agreement With Manelli Family Burst

(Rome) Father Fidenzio Volpi, with the approval of Pope Francis in July 2013, has surprised again and again as Apostolic Commissioner of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, although rarely in a positive way. The Apostolic Commissioner has changed his mind and withdrew his signature on the agreement with the family of FFI Founder Father Stefano Maria Manelli.
This past February 12 Commissioner Volpi and the family Manelli had agreed following a mediation in civil matters (mediazione civile). The blog Le pagine di Don Camillo, who first reported on the agreement, falsely wrote about a "patteggiamento", a specialized institution of the Italian Code of Criminal Procedure, and has since apologized.  Since 2010, Italy has recognized in implementation of an EU directive mediation in civil matters, which serves to resolve disputes wherever possible on a voluntary basis, without letting it come to a trial. The mediation takes place before court-appointed mediators at the registered office of the competent court.

FEBRUARY 12: The Admission of Guilt by the Commissar

This past February 12  at 11 clock before the Court Mediator at the District Court of Rome, the family members of Father Manelli and their lawyer Davide Perrotta as plaintiff on the one side and on the other side the Apostolic Commissioner Fidenzio Volpi and his lawyers Alessandra Böcklin and Edoardo Boitani as defendant. The mediation took place in the proceedings pending before the District Court of Rome, First Civil Chamber of litigation for defamation of Manelli family by Commissioner Volpi (see Commissioner Volpi admits a slander ).
At the end of the mediation, both parties signed an agreement with  Commissar Volpi who apologized and explained that with respect to the family Manelli  nothing applied to what he had written in his circular letter dated 8 December-2013. The Manelli family had "absolutely nothing to do with any unlawful act."

The obligations of the Commissar

This public apology would have until March 3rd according the agreement, to be published on the message news agency AGI and on the website of the Order immacolata.com. On the website it would have to be visible for at least three consecutive months in a clear presentation as other published notices on the issue.   In addition, the Commissar was to have informed all monks and nuns, with his apology in a circular. Volpi undertook all attorneys' fees and agreed to pay the family Manelli a compensation of 20,000 euros. Everything by 3rd March. "Can there be even more guilt?" Said Riscossa Cristiana.
Volpi's admission is legally and morally significant. In addition to the legal question before a court of law, the Commissar admitted with having violated the Eighth Commandment. Thus, the credibility of the Apostolic Commissioner is badly hit. Many blogs have pointed this out following the mediation agreement.

February 18: The anger of the Commissioner and an incendiary  letter

But that seems to have so annoyed the Apostolic Commissioner because of the damage to his image that is  now breaking like  porcelain. Referring to the report, he has withdrawn his signature to the agreement again. Instead of writing the court warranted apology, Commissar Volpi has sent  an new urgent letter on the 18th February  to all members of the religious order.
In the newsletter, he withdrew his admission and told the brothers and sisters of his "will" that he would  "not to comply with the signed statement" because he "no longer considers it valid because of serious non-compliance by the other party."  But Volpi  does not say just what the "serious non-compliance" with the family Manelli happens to be. In the written mediation agreement (copy of the original document 1 )) of 12 February 2015, there is no statement obliging the family Manelli as the complainant in the proceedings. Unlike in the mediation agreement, the Commissar has now returned to his initial allegations and is shooting fire arrows at the family Manelli.

"Little credible" Justification of the Commissioner

The Commissar, as is evident from his incendiary letter, is incensed  because the matter became public. "The fact that the news of the agreement signed by Commissioner Volpi would reach the public, was easily foreseeable," said Corrispondenza Romana. However, Volpi may have hoped that certain details, such as the payment of € 20,000 to the family Manelli, would not become known. In addition, the Commissioner was faced with new demands for his resignation. In the circular letter of 18 February he writes now that he has always been considered "innocent". He only agreed "pro bono Pacis" and  "in a spirit of brotherhood seraphic" the agreement of 12 February, which was just for the sake of peace. "A statement of little credibility," said Riscossa Cristiana, given the clear and unilateral commitments into which he entered.
The fact is that Commissar Volpi has not been convicted by any court. The mediation was voluntary. "However, the agreement of 12 February exists and is signed by Father Volpi. The signature may indeed be withdrawn, so is no longer in effect," said Cristiana Riscossa.
Commissioner Volpi is receiving a monthly € 5,000 allowance for his provisional activity, according to Italian media. A message that has never been disowned. The sum is to be paid by the Order of Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.  Soon, the Commissioner will have to stand trial. With his circular letter, he made it clear that he wants it to come to a trial in this dispute. There, too, the mediation agreement will play a role. The legal costs of the Commissioner shall be borne by the Order.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Corrispondenza Romana
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG



Monday, February 9, 2015

Commissar Closes the Cloister of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in Teramo

Teramo
(Teramo) The Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are leaving Teramo, the capital city of the Italian region of Abruzzo. As the religious house of Teramo announced in a statement, the closing on February 11th of the Monastery of Teramo is "based on a decision of the Apostolic Commissioner," Father Fidenzio Volpi.
As a reason, a "decline of Brothers" and the "departure of some religious" were mentioned. In both cases, these were direct consequences of the provisional administration of the Order which had been blooming till July 2013.  The "decline" is due to resignations, which were triggered by the radical intervention of members appointed by the Commissar appointed by the Roman Congregation of Religious because the original charism of the Order was destroyed. The "departure" means forced displacements and exile of the friars by the Commissar.
On October 6, 2007 Bishop Michele Seccia of Teramo had entrusted the parish and convent of San Domenico to the young Franciscans.  In 2008 the  Marian lay community of Missione Immacolata Media Trice and the Third Order were established. Since the same year, the Fathers have celebrated the Traditional Rite since the implementation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, not only the convent's, but public worship, such as the  Office and Vespers. In a pastoral concern for the parish,  the Mass was celebrated in both the traditional and the new Rites.

In 2005, the Dominicans had Abandoned the Monastery for Lack of Vocations 

In 1287  the Dominicans in Teramo established  the church and convent of San Domenico. After a long flowering, the Dominican convent was dissolved in 1809 by the Napoleonic storm, the church  was converted into a stall and the monastery into barracks. After the Congress of Vienna, the Confraternity of the Rosary, founded in 1556 by the Dominicans in Teramo for the care of the restoration of the Church. Because of the anticlerical attitude of 1860 by the newly created Italian state, it would take 130 years for the Dominicans were to return to Teramo. Only the Lateran Treaty made it possible that in 1939, the church was adopted by the Dominicans and the monastery was repopulated.
The Dominican church "experienced then in 1969-1971 as part of the post-conciliar liturgical reform, interventions in the design of the presbytery," as it states on the remaining website of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate Teramo. In 2005, the Dominicans had to abandon the monastery Teramo "for lack of vocations."
Soon the monastery was empty, then the Bishop of Teramo summoned  the Franciscans of the Immaculate summoned a young  Order, which had no staffing problems and had thus guaranteed the safe continuation of the monastery and pastoral care. Less than seven years later, the tide has turned dramatically through papal intervention. In two days, the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate will leave Teramo, but for very different reasons than the Dominicans.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Wikicommons
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Commissar Volpi Threatens Bishops -- Franciscans of the Immaculate Are Trying to Overthrow Pope Francis

The Commissar and the Franciscans of the Immaculate
(Rome) The Apostolic Commissioner of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate urges the Italian bishops not to incardinate priests who want to leave the maltreated Order. It even comes to threats. The background is an alleged "conspiracy" by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate for the "downfall of Pope Francis," from which the Commissar wanted to save the Church leader. What followed was a written slugfest between Father Volpi and a leading bishop.
For the last 16 months the Order of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate  was among  the most flourishing religious orders of the Catholic Church. The young Order, canonically erected in 1990 , was astonishing in its completely opposite trend.  While other orders bemoaned a shortage of young people, the Order grew up in the West at an impressive pace. In an effort to return to the roots of the Franciscan Order and to follow the original rule of the order, the Order discovered the treasures of the Church, went to the traditional rite the tradition of the Church on its own. With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. its fate was thus sealed. The visible figurehead of the Benedictine reform of the reform, which had become an Old Ritual Order, had lost his patron.

Commissioner Volpi invited by Pope Confidant Galatino to Bishops' Conference

Since July 2013 provided the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception has been provided with a provisional administration. The religious congregation continued with the approval of Pope Francis under a Capuchin Father Fidenzio Volpi. The Apostolic Commissioner  came to enforce his policy sanctions  in the autumn General Assembly of the Italian Episcopal Conference in part, after some bishops had shown willingness to include the brothers and priests of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate i in their dioceses.
After this provisional procedure became known there was a written exchange between the website Nuova Bussola Quotidiana (NBQ) and Commissioner Volpi.
We initiated  a report by Matteo Matzuzzi last 25 November. Matzuzzi is Vaticanist the daily newspaper Il Foglio .

Episcopal Head Shaking Morning "Pope \ earl"

Commissar  Volpi with Pope Francis
Matzuzzi reported on the "orientation" of many bishops around the world for the morning sermon by Pope Francis on 21 November in Santa Marta. It was the "Pearl of the Day" that triggered the helpless shaking of the head among the bishops.  Pope Francis accused  priests and parish secretaries who were supposed to have   published price lists for the sacraments on church doors. According to Vatican Radio , the "pearl" spread, and made ​​more than one bishop a squirm in his chair. "So it gives the impression as if we were only baptize when we see a donation in an envelope," said Matzuzzi quoting an Italian bishop.
There may be black sheep   everywhere, but the reality in the Church from Cape Town to Svalbard, from Vladivostok to Porto is clear. The fees are minimal and are entirely subsided in case of need. In many parts of the world where there is no government-driven church tax as in the Federal Republic of Germany, the clergy is even denied their  livelihood from these offerings.
In the afternoon of the same day there was a public clarification by Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the President of the Italian Bishops' Conference: "The sacraments are to be paid in any way. The duties of the faithful are a form of contributing to the material needs of the Church."  The statement was immediately read by observers as a response to the Pope's  morning talks if Cardinal Bagnasco did not mention the pope by name.
Who would not have understood it, was better taught contrario by the speaker of the Episcopal Conference, Monsignor Domenico Pompili as  he briefly stated:  "Each statement made by   the President of the Episcopal Conference as a counter to Pope Francis are misleading ".

Episcopal Anger at Argentine Pope

Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate
That something is not working in the relationship between the center and the edges,  is but certain. This was evident a few weeks ago, when the Pope confidante, Archbishop Bruno Forte of Chieti-Vasto, who wrote, as the synods' Special Secretary, the controversial gay passages of the interim report for the Synod of Bishops,  who  resoundingly trumpeted Bishop Mario Marini of Fielsole at the election of the Vice-President of the Episcopal Conference.  The only 30 percent of the vote against 70 percent of Bishop Maini in the decisive second round wasn't even close, not even  for an honorable defeat, but for a man like Msgr. Forte, who feels called for higher things, it was a crushing rebuff.
The situation was very embarrassing for some, was why yet begun during the bishops' meeting, the play down "incident"."You wanted new faces precedence," was the embarrassment formula.
Anyway: One possible promotion for Fortes is one of the great Archdiocesan chairs with the dignity of Cardinal, which are open in 2015, namely Florence and Bologna, is a bar quite high. In 2011, Forte was discussed for the  Archdiocese  of Milan. Benedict XVI., however, appointed the then Patriarch of Venice, Cardinal Angelo Scola.  Forte was discussed as a possible Patriarch of Venice, but Benedict XVI, which not only was Benedict irritated by Fortes fierce opposition to the corrected translation of the words of consecration in the vernacular. (Pro multis - for many), so Francesco Moraglia was chosen instead, who himself chose a meaningfully strong coat of arms, which is virtually identical to that of St. Pius X, who himself was also Patriarch of Venice. Pope Francis has not created Patriarch Moraglia  a cardinal yet, although traditionally  the Patriarchal chair is connected to the cardinalate. It's a set back that has been associated with Moraglia's understanding of the Church.
Not enough: in the first round by the way, Bishop Mariano Crociata of Latina received 27 votes. Crociata, who in 2013 was Secretary of the Bishops' Conference  was then replaced by Pope Francis overnight by Bishop Nunzio Galatino Cassano all'Jonio. Bishop Crociata asked his brother Bishops, not to give him any more votes, because that could be interpreted as an affront to Pope Francis. But  some of the bishops intended to be demonstrative with their vote.

Galatinos Franciscan Officiate and the Invitation to Commissioner Volpi

Bishop Galatino with Pope Francis
The newly appointe, without consultation with Cardinal Bagnasco, Secretary General Galatino, fills his office so that he could be imposed as the President of the Bishops' Conference and immediately maintains contact with the Vatican. Exactly, in the opinion of observers, this was whatthe Pope wanted with Galatino's appointment: A major reorganization of the Episcopal Conference, without dismissing its president, and thus attracting too much attention. Galatino is the bishop who snidely commented on the Pro-Lifers  who work against the outrageousness of the mass murder of unborn children at abortion clinics and hospitals and pray the rosary for the right to life of every human being.
The Pope's confidant, Galatino, was also appointed by Rome as the Apostolic Commissioner of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate has invited Father Fidenzio Volpi for Autumn Plenary Assembly of Bishops. The real purpose of the bishop's invitation was more apparent during the breaks.  Commissioner Volpi approached  and targeted certain bishops and urged them not to incardinate brothers of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate in their diocese who want to leave the Order because of radical upheaval. The procedure of the Commissioner is very unusual because incardination is constantly taking place in many dioceses around the world. The Commissioner's foray is therefore aimed specifically against the priests entrusted to him. They have been  denied in Rome for more than a year, the new foundation as an Old Rite Order. Commissioner Volpi will prevent the brothers leaving the Order or from being incardinated into dioceses. In other words, the impression that arises is that Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate should be forced to remain in the Order, to force them to accept the realignment.
The intention becomes clearer, if one takes into account that Bishop Galatino as Secretary of the Bishops' Conference called upon the Bishops of Italy with an official letter, that no Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are to be incardinated. If appropriate requests are made, the bishops should immediately inform Commissioner Volpi Commissioner of it. 
Commissioner Volpi's "Clarification" That Explained Nothing
Founder Manelli celebrated in the Lateran Basilica St.Sacrifice of the Mass in the traditional rite
Matzuzzi's article drew a counter notification by the Commissioner himself, who relied on the press law.  Participation in the conference of bishops  was justified by the Commissioner with his role as General Secretary of the Superior Conference of male religious orders in Italy.  He says he did not speak to the bishops in order to address the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate addressed, but he had raised that subject on this occasion to the bishops. It belongs to the "wise practice" of the Church that a responsible  religious  will be contacted by the bishops   before incardinating former members of religious orders, especially when it comes to a priest. If Bishop Galatino is to have asked the bishops, says Volpi, to align themselves with this practice, then it would fall to his responsibilities as General Secretary of the Episcopal Conference.
Thus Commissioner Volpi  gave an unsolicited clarification, however, without clarifying anything. It was replicated by the chief editor of NBQ, Riccardo Cascioli.
Cascioli wrote to the Commissioner that no one had doubted that he was invited to the General Assembly of the Bishops' Conference, but that it posed questions about  the reasons for the referral, "especially regarding your behavior towards some bishops".
Cascioli opposed the spread of Volpi's impression that he belonged, as General Secretary of the Superiors Conference, of his own motion for the Episcopal Conference or that such participation is an established practice. But neither the one nor the other is true. "That explains," said the NBQ-Editor in Chief, "which is why many bishops were amazed when they had to take notice of your presence at the meeting  without having it exlained to them beforehand. I am sure that there was a justified reason for your presence, but unfortunately your writing does not clarify on this."

Not "wise practice", but "hard pressure"

Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate under the aegis of a Visitrix
Cascioli continues: "It may be that the bishops will be approached to you as well (I have no reason to doubt it, of which we have not spoken). We have criticized, however, that you have approached with intimidating demeanor and talk to bishops, to cause them to reject requests for incardination by the Franciscans of the Immaculate. It's a statement that you do not deny in your reply. Apart from that, it is  apparent now by  several witnesses. That raises the question of the extent  the powers of the Commissioner of an Order actually reach. We know of no case that is comparable. "
Cascioli then shredded Volpis assertion that it is a "wise practice" of the Church, to contact the appropriate religious superiors before incardinating a former religious. Be that as confirms the NBQ-editor, but what Volpi and Galatino in the case of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate do have nothing to do with the consultations of the Church's practice, but is exercising "hard pressure",  to extend  "threats against bishops" in order  "to prevent some brothers from finding refuge in a diocese or other religious order."   There is no alternative, that Volpi's motto is,  "either by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, according to  Commissar Volpi or nothing." Also it was "an unprecedented procedure that even according to the canon law, it contradicts the basic right to freedom of conscience,"  says Cascioli.

 Dogged Action Against the Order and the "Plans" to Overthrow Pope Francis

Commissar Volpi with Pope Francis (7 November 2014)
This exacerbates the issues that have already found no satisfactory answer: "Why this harshness up to this day, that  neither the reasons for the provisional administration were explained about this blooming Order in the Summer of 2013, nor a time frame for the provisional government."
The official internet site which is controlled by the Commissioner of the Order  offers no help to find answers to the open questions. Helpful on the other hand, is a blog that says of himself, is close to Commissioner Volpi.  The blog describes itself "in accordance with the provisional administration of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate" and published an arid  invective against the article by Matteo Matzuzzi.
In another entry from November 17, however, the anonymous blogger explained why Commissioner Volpi is so "concerned" that no Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate be incardinated in dioceses: "The very purpose of seeking incardination seems clear: it is about the creation of a platform, perhaps off shore, like the Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines and a Catholic minority diocese as in England, for the consecrated priests  and former seminarians of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate to newly gather in the hope of a revolution against the current management of the universal Church."
To this Cascioli's response to Commissioner Volpi was: "In other words, the blog says, you would act in concert with whom you were  invited to the meeting of the Episcopal Conference to Assisi, because a plot to overthrow Pope Francis was in progress, whom the clerics and former seminarians of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, were  together with some bishops, who were to include in their dioceses. However, this would be really laughable, if it were not someone close to you  who has spread an unofficial declaration of your whole approach. I hope, therefore, that you will want to clarify this account and also the blog that speaks on your behalf ". Signed, Riccardo Cascioli.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: MiL / CR / Chiesa e Postconcilio / Osservatore Romano
Trans: vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Monday, October 13, 2014

New Foundation of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in the Philippines?

Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles
(Rome) In the Philippines, there seems to be an attempt, for the reincorporation of the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate in a new guise, but with its old charism. This seems to explain the angry reaction of the Apostolic Commissioner Father Fidenzio Volpi with the suspension of several priests.
The news of the suspension a divinis of six priests of the Franciscans of the Immaculate by the little "merciful" Commissar of the Order, has attracted international attention. The reactions have forced the acting head of the Order to an opinion, which can only confirm the critics of the punitive actions against the Order in their opinion, in their mocking tone about "ultra-traditionalist" circles. One of those critics described Father Alfonso Bruno,  who was imposed by the Commissioner and is the Secretary General and spokesman of the Order, as "Mr. Nobody". The charges against the six priests remain vague in Father Alfonso Burno's  description. Compared to the poor reproaches, the penalties seem excessive. Bruno's anger was directed  chiefly against the American website Rorate Caeli , which had dared to point out that disproportion.

Disproportionate Actions

Since August 2013, a public smear campaign against the Franciscans of the Immaculate of Father Manelli  has taken place, including fake Facebook profiles. [And here in the comment box] The fact is that there is neither an investigation nor an indictment against him and not even any concrete evidence of misconduct. Given the appalling libel, distributed under pseudonyms against him, which seems to be quite an indictment of the Apostolic Commissioner and his minions in the Order, and even more for the  Congregation of Religious that ruled the disproportionate action with papal approval.
More than that, it begs the question, how can Father Alfonso Bruno spread the word in such an insolent manner in secrecy against the Founder in all places? How can it be that an Apostolic Commissioner tolerated such an arrogant attitude? And that still forces  another question: What exactly is it that the Apostolic Commissioner for the Order, except impose disproportionate penalties, prohibitions and penalties and, it seems, while also violating church law?

New Foundation?

This is exactly where the hook of the  critics of the sanctions against the Order  speak of an "ideologically" motivated approach, because the Order discovered  tradition in doctrine and liturgy for itself and accepted it.  At the beginning of the punitive measures,when asking for specific allegations and evidence, there are still mysterious rumors of "misconduct", which have the dismissed leadership of the Order is allegedly guilty. But fifteen months later no one is convinced by cryptic talk.
More interestingly it appears that in the Archdiocese of Lipa in the Philippines, a public association of the faithful was recognized on June 28, 2014, as the French site Riposte Catholique reported. This could be the precursor to a reestablishment of the oppressed Order of Franciscans of the Immaculate. Archbishop Ramon Cabrera Arguelles of Lipa gave the five suspended Filipino Franciscans of the Immaculate, a celebret . Apparently  a new foundation on the horizon looming in his area, is the reason he therefore reacted so sharply. Perhaps the Order of Father Stefano Maria Manelli will soon arise anew in his mind.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Riposte Catholique
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD




Thursday, August 7, 2014

Is the Lodge Behind the Commissariat Over the Franciscans of the Immaculate?

(Rome)  Is the hand of the Grand Lodge hidden behind  the provisional administration of the Franciscans of the Immaculate (FI)?  Another spotlight on a controversial measure of Roman Congregation for Religious, with the approval of Pope Francis.
Storied Florence, destination of aesthetes and art lovers, is the Italian capital of Freemasonry. In the city on the Arno, there is no quarter and no district in which a Temple  of a lodge can not be found. The late Florentine Father Florido Giant Ulli SJ (1906-1974), one of the foremost Catholic experts on Freemasonry said: "There is no association, whether secular or Catholic, into which the long arm of the Lodge does not reach." The Jesuit wrote, among others, the fundamental work: " L'Essenza della Massoneria italiana: il naturalismo "(The Essence of Italian Freemasonry:  Naturalism), in 1973, shortly before his death, it was published in the same place with  a double imprimatur of the Jesuit Order and the Archbishop of Florence. Father Giantulli paid for his studies on the "Masonic sect" (Pius IX.) with that price which is reserved especially for anti-Masonic authors: After his death he was slandered with the rumor that he was a "secret lodge brother".

Since the 60s, the Church has become quiet on Freemasonry

In the 60s of the last century, the Catholic Church ceased almost entirely from talking about Freemasonry. It seemed suddenly that a secret peace agreement entered into force. A mutual "acceptance" in the sign of pluralism. A few Catholic writers, priests and laity, continued the study and observation of this secret society. In the German speaking world it was Alfons Maria Cardinal Stickler (1910-2007); Bishop Rudolf Graber (1903-1992) of Regensburg; his pupil, the priest Manfred Adler (1928-2005) and the Austrian lay theologian and political scientist Robert Prantner (1931-2010). All four were heavily attacked. The latter two were chosen for their publications and lectures as the targets of violent media campaigns that demanded considerable personal sacrifice. Adler was removed from the Diocese of Speyer schools and removed from  his order, the Missionaries of St. John the Baptist (MSJ). Prantner was deprived of his post in the Department of Ethics and Christian Social Teaching at the Philosophical-Theological College of Heiligenkreuz near Vienna in what has been euphemistically  referred to ever since as retirement. Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger as Faith Prefect  braced himself in November 1983 against the assertion of parts of the Church that the cross and Lodge had become compatible. Quite a few Church leaders ignored the interjection of the Cardinal and later, and the Pope despised by the Lodge. This includes the Vienna Cathedral Rector, Toni Faber, to name just one example.

Fides Catholica , a Magazine Challenging Freemasonry

In other European countries west of the former Iron Curtain, things are no different, so also in Italy. There, the issue was marginalized in its extent  and was surrounded by a media taboo, that the few ecclesiastical writers (not sensational journalists) who still dealt with it, could easily be dismissed as marginal "story tellers". Until 2006, when in that year the new journal was published by the Franciscans of the Immaculate, Fides Catholica . The editors were Father Serafino Lanzetta Maria, a lecturer in moral theology at the convent's Seminary of the Immaculate Mediatrix. Already, in the first issue the  magazine  the point was addressed and published by Father Paolo Maria Siano FI, the recognized experts on Freemasonry in the Order, perhaps even the currently most important Catholic Freemason expert, with the article entitled "A Study on the Incompatibility Between Freemasonry and the Catholic Church."  In it, he pointed out that the "modern Freemasonry, since its inception in 1717,  was characterized by an enlightening and a magical-esoteric component, with the goal to "overcome  dogmatic fundamentalism"  with the reason for division and the absolute, bring out the truth, inn order to bring people together in a broad, natural religion, to leave  the way they realize God left to the subjectivity of the individual, but follows a cultus all the same.
Numerous other publications in Fides Catholica on Freemasonry followed. But Father Siano went beyond mere statements and publicly crossed swords with the Masonic brethren,  as the usual mixture of ridicule and irrationality was  applied to him.

Masonic Satanic Cult and Attacks by the Lodge



Loge Har Tzion Rome
"In the context of a 2009 Conference  held in Florence held by Fides Catholica, my confrere Father Serafino Maria Lanzetta had words with some Masons present in the audience, including Vittorio Vanni from the Lodge Stella del Mattino (No. 1031 -. Florence, Grand Orient of Italy). He accused me in a genteel way of seeing in Freemasonry something that does not exist there, a Masonic satanic cult ... Those responsible for the website of the Roman Lodge Har Tzion Monte Sion (No. 705 -. Rome, Grand Orient of Italy), published on 16 July 2009 an esoteric praise of the Devil,  and one of  his lodge brothers, the psychoanalyst and high degree Freemason, Emilio Servadio (33rd Degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite) wrote in 1974: 'The devil is as a friend with whom you can talk.  The devil  is as an instrument that transforms us, perfects us, and  as we reach the one, the liberation of duality ... It is necessary to reconvert Lucifer back into the devil ... '". Thus Father  Siano wrote in his "Handbook" about Freemasonry. There is also the suggestion that Vittorio Vanni published  "an essay on the Devil of the Tarot,"  in which he praised him as, 'principle or positive energy and as a necessary way to get to the light ... good and evil are the only light."

Commissariat Because of the Opposition to Freemasonry?

"In light of recent events, since the beginning of the provisional administration in July 2013, many things seem to confirm what many suspected immediately. The Franciscans of the Immaculate are paying now for their opposition to Freemasonry. This includes the emergence and role of Professor 'Mario Castellano, who is regarded as an instigator of the "rebels" -  to which belongs Brother Alfonso Bruno. Father Bruno has been the new "strong" man since the overthrow in the Order of the Franciscans of the Immaculate, or what's left of it," said Christiana Riscossa . The particularly active convent of Ognissanti, which was heavily involved in exposing Freemasonry, was dissolved and reorganized by the Apostolic Commissioner. Father Lanzetta was exiled to Austria and Father Siano to Africa.
That the provisional administration has had to do with the fact that the Franciscans of Father Manelli hindered the "dialogue" of part of the Church with Freemasonry, of this the historian and former Christian Democrat vice-mayor of Florence, Giovanni Pallanti is convinced. The columnist of the daily newspaper La Nazione wrote recently:
"When, on March 1, 2013 [at the Church of Ognissanti in Florence, managed by the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate] this Order presented two books by Father Paolo Maria Siano  (the " Manual "to Freemasonry and" Freemasonry Between Mysticism, Rituals and Symbolism "), which had appeared in 2012 at the convent's publisher, that is also given by the journal Fides Catholica, I thought that this is an historic event. 
Never yet, so far as I know, was the Freemasonry criticized for their secrecy and their hostility to the Church before so many attendees in Florence. Father Lanzetta chaired. Father Siano spoke.
Could it be a coincidence? After that day, the problems for the Franciscans of the Immaculate and their Florentine monastery of Ognissanti began. It may be a pure coincidence ... Personally, I do not believe in  such coincidences. "

Coincidence or Not: Today "Deathly Quiet" Prevails in the Ognissanti Monastery

The words of former Vice-Mayor originate not from the "usual" circles, the "traditionalists", "Pelagians" and "Crypto-Lefebvrians" or whatever they are  "kindly" entitled with, but by a well-known representative of the Left Wing of the former Christian Democrat party, which one can not be dismissed by  the new Sanhedrin class as "reactionary", without having to enter into a discussion.
"What now of the rescued 'dialogue' between clericals and Freemasons going forward? Can they now sleep peacefully?  In Ognissanti in Florence, peace prevails under the provisional administration  - the peace of the graveyard," said Christiana Riscossa .
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Traditio Catholica
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMGD

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Little Caterina Offered Her Illness For the Franciscans of the Immaculata

Caterina Maria Sudorio (2006-2014)
(Rome) Caterina Maria Sudrio, the youngest of ten children, was born on 1 June 2006 in Benevento, that southern Italian city, which is famous for the Battle of Benevento, which battle as known in German speaking lands that finally brought the dream of the Staufers to an end in 1266. The city was appropriated by the Pope in 1053 from Emperor Henry III., where the Pope renounced his rights in Bamberg. The city remained papal  until the time of Napoleon.
At the age of only four years, the small Caterina asked with a serious tone to confess to Father Pietro Maria Luongo of the Order of Franciscans of the Immaculate. The girl had been Christened by Father Stefano Maria Manelli, founder of this Order. From him she received on Christmas 2011, at the tender age of only five and a half years her First Communion at  High Mass in the traditional, Tridentine Rite. The decree Quam Singularities of St. Pius X from 1910 states: "What is valid for confession as a distinguishing age is when one can distinguish between good and evil, that is, has reached a certain use of reason, we must  open Communion for the same distinctive age  if the Eucharistic bread can be distinguished from an ordinary bread."

Every Evening at the Eucharistic Blessing

Every evening Caterina emphatically wanted to receive the Eucharistic blessing in the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel at 7:20 in Frigento, which is the mother house of the young Franciscan Order. The serious illness that  affected her young body, she sacrificed in full awareness for Father Stefano Maria Manelli and the Order of the Brothers and the Sisters of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate.
Caterina's favorite movie was "The Secret of Marcellino ", a Spanish production from the year 1955.  Marcellino the orphan is placed in the 18th century as an infant on the doorstep of a Franciscan monastery. The brothers take on the child. One day, the boy discovered a large crucifix in the attic of the monastery. He is overcome with great pity on the emaciated Jesus hanging on the cross. He secretly steals some bread and wine in the monastery and brings them to the crucified.  The crucifix comes to life before Marcellino, takes the bread and wine, at which point the Eucharist, and instructs the boy in the Christian faith. Again and again, the boy returns to the attic, because the man on the cross attracts him and he regularly brings to the Lord some bread and wine from the monastery inventories. The brothers notice the theft and are looking for the cause. Marcellino wishes, meanwhile, to see his mother (of whose death he obviously knows) and also the Mother of God, Mary. The Crucified takes the boy in his arms and tells him to sleep. In the arms of Jesus, the boy falls asleep happy and dies. The Franciscans, who had advanced in their search for the missing food up to the attic,  then see a radiant light shinning through the slatted, which gives a heavenly luster to the lifeless body of the boy.

Favorite Movie and Favorite Song

The film follows the nove l "Marcelino Pan Y Vino" by Spanish author José María Sánchez Silva. In 1955 he won two special awards at the International Film Festival of Cannes and the Silver Bear in Berlin. 
In the film, a Franciscan told in a flashback, the story of young Marcellino to a dying girl. Caterina, who knew herself to be mortally ill, thus  may have been touched by this movie.
Her favorite song was "Preferisco il Paradiso " (I prefer the paradise), which she had heard in a two-part TV movie produced in 2010 on the life of St. Philip Neri. In the television broadcast of the film, which reached viewing figures of 23.9 percent (first part) and 27.4 percent (second part). The pious joy of the Saint,  his cheerful nature and his deep piety impressed and thrilled the small Caterina.

The Deadly Disease and Its victims

Caterina with Pope Francis
Parents and doctors should remember when they talk about Caterina, with admiring astonishment that she never complained about her illness, a malignant epipheochromocytoma.  When she was asked how she was, she always replied "good" and smiled. As soon as she could talk, she repeated again and again that Jesus came to bring joy, because without love, it is difficult to grow.
In summer 2012, her fatal illness was diagnosed. She knew that she would die. On Saturday, July 26, the Feast of St. Anne and Joachim, the parents of the Virgin Mary, God willed to take  Caterina at 9 O'clock in the morning at the age of eight years. Consummatum est !
The parents of small Caterina Maria Sudrio, Francesco and Rosaria of small  are Tertiaries of the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate, while three older sisters are the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception . So, the little Caterina was familiar with the Order from an early age.  So it was she who one day said she wanted to sacrifice her illness and her death for this order.
Her situation had touched many hearts. On January 23, 2014, she was even received by Pope Francis (see picture)
On June 1,  small Caterina celebrated her eighth  birthday with her family and many of friends and with her brothers and sisters from the Order. On 9 March, she had received at her express request, and with special permission, Holy Confirmation.
"She will intercede for us all" it says in the brief statement by the Franciscans of the Immaculate on Caterina's death, which ends with the words: "The flowers grow from the earth and they return to the earth, but their fragrance rises up to heaven."
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Chiesa e Postconcilio / Osservatore Romano
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMGD