Carolina Bellocq
Members of the Society of St. Pius X, also known as Lefebvrians, now face the news that they can no longer celebrate Mass in Lourdes, just as they prepare for a large-scale pilgrimage.
The bishop of Lourdes-Tarbes, His Excellency Jean-Marc Micas, has issued a statement addressing the Church’s sanction against the Fraternity after it ordained bishops without papal permission. The document, issued by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declares excommunication for those who publicly adhere to the movement. The Traditionalist group has filed an appeal, but has received no reply.
Given these circumstances, and in light of the pilgrimage planned for late October, the Lourdes diocese has published a communiqué:
“I cannot authorize the celebration of Mass or administration of the other sacraments or even public prayers (…). The authorization to do so, which had been granted to the FSSPX, is now revoked. However, it is, of course, possible for anyone who wishes to do so, to freely visit the Grotto or any other part of the Shrine to pray there privately.”
The bishop states that he is “fully aware of the pain and perhaps the misunderstanding that this decision will cause” and laments “the tearing of Christ’s robe caused by our divisions.”
This case has come to light because it involves a shrine, but it reflects what is happening worldwide.
The Fraternity's superior in France responded by expressing his respect for the bishop, as well as “his regret and lack of understanding.” However, he assured that the annual pilgrimage scheduled for late October will go ahead as planned.
“While the doors of the shrine may remain closed to public pilgrimages, the door to the Heart of the Mother of God is never closed to her children. There's no doubt that she will recognize her own!”
He also pointed out the irony, noting that last year Lourdes hosted a pilgrimage of Christians and Muslims.
“How can one not be surprised, or even offended, that those who do not recognize the divine motherhood of the Most Holy Virgin Mary (...) have been permitted to enter places where we aren't allowed?”
The members of the Fraternity are following this issue closely; recently, it has been a recurring theme in the homilies. On August 23rd, Fr. Jean-Michel Gleize addressed this topic in his homily during Mass.
NATS FR. GLEIZE
My dearest brethren, no doubt, I do not know for certain, but perhaps, this year we will not have the grace to enter the Shrine of Lourdes as we have in the past. But what do we still have, my dearest brothers? What do we still have? We still have our faith in the Blessed Virgin. We believe that she is the Mother of God. We believe that she is the Immaculate Virgin. We believe that she is the Co-Redemptrix. We believe that she is the Mediatrix of all graces. And nothing, not even excommunication, will ever be able to take that away from us.
Unless Rome responds to the appeal filed by the Lefebvrians in July, the situation will remain unchanged, and they will not be able to celebrate Mass in Catholic churches.
