Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Ave Maria U: The Pizza King's Barony/Fiefdom

More and more it becomes apparent that Mr. Monaghan thinks he is at least a Baron; perhaps he's also been consecrated Bishop(?)

Here's the latest Decree from His Highness's faithful servant/chaplain:

We give thanks to Almighty God, as we accustom ourselves to the excellent facilities of our permanent Campus. At this time, the Administration of the University have given this directive on our liturgical practice. It is hoped that all our efforts will enable us to continue to have beautiful and dignified liturgies, always fully in accord with the mind and the liturgical law of the Church.

...The practice of celebrating Mass ad orientem is accepted at the first Mass of the morning for a priest or priests having a personal preference for this practice. However, ad orientem is not considered the ordinary or obligatory practice at Ave Maria University. At all other Masses the priest or priests are directed to celebrate Mass facing the congregation.

It may happen that a priest wishes to celebrate the extraordinary form of the Mass of the Roman Rite, a Mass in accordance with the Roman Missal of 1962, commonly called a “Tridentine Mass.” This may be out of personal preference or in response to requests from the faithful. In accord with the provisions of “Summorum Pontificum,” the Holy Father’s apostolic letter given “motu proprio” (“on his own impulse”), arrangements will be made beforehand through the Chaplain’s Office to celebrate properly the Tridentine Mass in the Ark Chapel or in the Library Chapel. At the present time, the Tridentine Mass will not be available in the “Ballroom.”

The University’s opening Mass on August 27 will be in English, with the priest facing the people.

Neither the University chaplain, nor Baron/Bishop Monaghan, has the authority to dictate orientation nor selection of the Rite.

HT: Fr. Z.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I saw the same thing at Fr. Z's, but he closed comments. I imagine he did so to avoid the AMU bashing that always tends to breakout. However, being a private chapel, the university would be the rector and therefore have authority over any masses conducted there. This isn't, as best I can tell, a situation where an order has a public chapel, oratory, or church consecrated. In that case, the rector would be the Order itself.

I respect Fr. Z greatly, but I think he might have been too quick to fire here and missed.

Dad29 said...

There are two issues:
1) orientation: that's not a matter for a Rector to decide, period. They may suggest, but (as even they tacitly admit), it's really up to the priest.

2) The 1962 Rite: the MP was clear; the decision is made by the priest, based on a 'stable community' of people who want such a Mass. The Bishop does not have authority to nix it, much less a Rector, who has NO canonical authority whatsoever.

You don't really think this is a "private property" matter, do you?

Anonymous said...

1) Local regulations can be set at the diocesean or parochial level. If the effect of such a regulation is to cause a right not to be able to be recognized, it could be appealed to Rome, most likely successfully.
2) A public mass is for a pastor, not a priest to decide. A private mass can be said however a priest would like. Masses at Ave Maria are neither capitular or parochial.

Can. 567§2. It is for the chaplain to celebrate or direct liturgical functions; nevertheless, he is not permitted to involve himself in the internal governance of the institute.

Priests at Ave Maria serve at the pleasure of Ave Maria. While Ave Maria lacks competence to serve canonical penalties, they are perfectly free to sever the relationship.

Dad29 said...

Actually, MZ, you should begin the inquiry with Canon 2:

"For the most part, the Code does not determine the Rites to be observed for the celebration of liturgical actions...liturgical laws retain their force..."

Thus, the Chaplain, while able to 'direct liturgical functions,' cannot forbid (otherwise) licit orientation.

But you do have a point on the "pastor's" decisions under the MP. If we assume that the Chaplain is roughly equivalent to a "pastor," then he has the authority to regulate liturgy, in general, subject to the provisions of Canon 2.

However, it is at least un-wise to impair use of the Extraordinary Rite--which is the point of the post (and I suspect, of Fr. Z's post, as well.)

It is surprising to observe that Ave Maria U's staff does not seem willing to participate in B-16's forward movement in liturgical development.

IOW, Tom Monaghan seems to be resisting...