UPDATE: THE LEGACY OF PERVASIVE FEAR
On March 7, we offered the post below, asking for ONE PRIEST in Central Alabama, willing to be trained in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.
Recently, Una Voce Northern Alabama asked that we join with them in securing regional priest training, to be conducted by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP).
It was sad and, indeed, embarrassing to report that we cannot find ONE PRIEST in the vast outer reaches of the Archdiocese of Mobile willing to take the “risk”.
For months, since Summorum Pontificum became effective, September 14, 2007, the overwhelming sentiment among priests here was one of caution - waiting until the next Archbishop of Mobile was named and installed.
Well known to just about everyone was the level of fear which was pervasive since our late Holy Father John Paul II allowed for priests to receive the Indult from local Ordinaries. The evidence of cooperation with the Holy Father within the Archdiocese of Mobile spoke for itself - one lonely priest, aged and in ill-health, offering one Latin Mass per month in one parish. Such was the Mass of the Ages suppressed. Priests admitted fear of even asking for the Indult, and the Traditional Latin Mass was spoken of in only hushed tones.
Now, with Archbishop Rodi at the helm, we hope for new leadership in the area of encouraging priests to learn the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, much as Bishop Baker has so magnificently done in the Diocese of Birmingham.
As the anniversary of the issuance of Summorum Pontificum approaches, time will tell if cooperation or disinterest will reign within the Archdiocese of Mobile.
We can only pray that the wishes of our Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI, are given the level of respect as has been the example of Bishop Baker of Birmingham.