Motherwell: Make-it-up-as-you-go-along Priest Rebuked by Bishop – Stop Messing with Mass
The following correspondence was sent to me by a gentleman (whose name I am withholding), concerned about the liturgical abuses taking place at the Masses in St Gabriel’s, Viewpark, Uddingston (Diocese of Motherwell), Parish Priest Fr Jim Morris. For parish website, click here
Email to Fr Jim Morris, dated 14 August, 2021 (copies to Vicar General, Chancellor, and Catholic Truth)
Dear Fr. Jim
In the accompanying letter to “TRADITIONIS CUSTODES”, Pope Francis stated “… I am saddened by abuses in the celebration of the liturgy on all sides. In common with Benedict XVI, I deplore the fact that “in many places the prescriptions of the new Missal are not observed in celebration, but indeed come to be interpreted as an authorization for or even a requirement of creativity, which leads to almost unbearable distortions”.
Perhaps you could explain why you feel the GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL do not apply to you or your parish and the acts of “creativity” and “unbearable distortions” go against the wishes of the Holy Father.
In particular:
- Sacred vessels are to be made from precious metal. If they are made from metal that rusts or from a metal less precious than gold, then ordinarily they should be gilded on the inside.
- As regards chalices and other vessels that are intended to serve as receptacles for the Blood of the Lord, they are to have bowls of nonabsorbent material. The base, on the other hand, may be made of other solid and worthy materials.
- The vestment proper to the priest celebrant at Mass and other sacred actions directly connected with Mass is, unless otherwise indicated, the chasuble, worn over the alb and stole.
- As to the colour of sacred vestments, the traditional usage is to be retained: namely,
White is used in the Offices and Masses during the Easter and Christmas seasons; also on celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not Martyrs; on the Solemnities of All Saints (November 1) and of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24); and on the Feasts of St. John the Evangelist (December 27), of the Chair of St. Peter (February 22), and of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25).
Green is used in the Offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.
Find attached pictures taken from Mass on the 24th June (01 & 02) and the 14th August (04 05 & 06).
Fr. Gerard, as Vicar General, and Deacon Jim, as Chancellor, perhaps you could let me have the view of the Diocese and of his Grace as to these acts of “creativity” and “unbearable distortions”. Kind Regards
No reply.
The concerned Catholic then wrote directly to Bishop Toal, 24 August, 2021, 10 am as follows:
Your Grace,
Further to my email below to Fr. Jim (parish priest), Fr. Gerard (Vicar General) and Deacon Jim (Chancellor), and an earlier email to Deacon Jim on the 26th June, I see from Mass this morning (image 07 – Ed: featured top of this page) that the “creativity” and “unbearable distortions” continue at at St. Gabriel’s, Viewpark.
Perhaps you could explain why you feel the GENERAL INSTRUCTION OF THE ROMAN MISSAL [GIRM] does not apply to this parish (and the diocese) and Fr. Jim continues to disobey the wishes of the Holy Father with regard to the celebration of the new Missal? Regards
Bishop Toal replies… 24 August, 2021, 11.09 am (Copies to Vicar General, Chancellor, Fr Jim Morris, Catholic Truth)
Dear [Name]
Thank you for your email. The points you raise are fair. Fr Jim, and all priests in the Diocese, should celebrate Holy Mass, in accord with the GIRM. I was struck by Pope Francis’s words about celebrants not following the prescriptions of the present Missal and intend to bring his words to the attention of all the Priests of the Diocese and to remind them that Mass be celebrated as mandated by the Church without their own particular adaptations.
With my prayers and best wishes
+Joseph Toal
Bishop Joseph A. Toal
Diocese of Motherwell
Editor writes…
That was a speedy response from the Bishop. Still, wait to see if the tartan stole and anything-but-sacred-glass-vessels continue to feature in the novus ordo at St Gabriel’s. Actions, remember, speak louder than words. Mind you, there’s not a lot of grounds for complaint, really, despite the General Instruction, because… well… as Cardinal Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict) once famously wrote: “We abandoned the organic process of growth and development over centuries, and replaced it – as in a manufacturing process – with a fabrication, a banal, on-the-spot product.” (From Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s preface to the French edition of The Reforms of the Roman Liturgy, Its Problems and Background by Msgr. Klaus Gamber, 1993). Other liturgical “experts” claim that the new Mass must allow for creativity – fun and fashion, it seems, must decide the form of any particular novus ordo on any particular day. Whatever Father thinks best…
Kudos to the above layman for his Catholic and apostolic spirit in acting to correct the disgraceful liturgical abuses aka nonsense which has been taking place in St Gabriel’s for far too long. For the record, I think it’s safe to say that said layman no longer needs convincing about the importance of seeking out a traditional Latin Mass. Let’s hope and pray that other laity reading this, who are continuing to attend the novus ordo, waken up and smell the truth about the “banal on-the-spot production” which Francis is seeking to impose on Holy Mother Church; the truth that it is displeasing to God. If you are still in doubt, take a long look at Fr Jim Morris in his tartan stole and say, slowly, three times, “I get it, now…” That should do the trick.
Comments (52)
If only that priest could see how tragic he looks. There is a lot of false Scottish nationalism about these days but I’d no idea it had reached the altar. True patriotism doesn’t go in for that sort of flamboyance. I don’t think I’ve ever worn tartan in my life, but I love my country.
I’ve posted the following quote before on this blog, I think it fits here perfectly. It’s an article from the New Liturgical Movement – a priest is writing about Communion in the hand and Vatican II on the liturgy:
“In my efforts to restore a sense of the sacred in the liturgy, I have often been accused of being “pre-Vatican II.” I usually correct them by saying I am exactly Vatican II. The Second Vatican Council called for few changes in the liturgy, understanding that there had been a great many changes to the Roman liturgy over the centuries, to be sure, but they had been gradual and organic, and typically imperceptible. However, in all of church history, there was never anything like what happened in the years following this Council, in respect to the liturgy.
This weekend we had our first Masses with the new Communion rail. After one of these Masses I was talking with one of the old guard parishioners (great guy), and he loved the rails. He told me that “years ago” (I love that expression), they had a Parish Council meeting, and Fr. X wanted to remove the side altars (along with many other alterations), in this beautiful church. The old guard parishioner said, “It was a hard fought battle that night, but we wore him down and he did only minor alterations.” I said, “My … how times have changed … that priest got criticized for trying to remove sacredness … now I’m getting criticized for trying to bring it back.”
http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2014/03/truth-about-communion-in-hand-while.html#.V0Y2d5ErJhE
I suggest we all pray for Fr Morris and his bishop who should be doing more than reminding his priests not to experiment with the Mass. He should be warning of disciplinary measures against priests like Fr Morris who continue to create their own Mass. This sort of nonsense is driving people out of the Church.
Michaela,
I mentioned that link to the New Liturgical Movement article on the phone to a friend this evening. It’s excellent. Many thanks for posting it.
One thing we can tell straight off from the picture is that this Mass was an invalid celebration. The priest, Fr. Morris, has not the slightest look of sanctity on his face, he just looks like some old drunk they rolled in from the local pub. This is what Francis encourages by killing the ancient Mass of the saints and martyrs. He can bemoan abuses all he likes but the truth is the Novus Ordo is one big liturgical abuse, a completely illicit rite foisted on the Church by Popes abusing authority. It has almost destroyed the priesthood!
Athanasius,
So, even if that priest uses the correct words of consecration (unlikely, I guess) that Mass would not be valid?
How can the people attending that parish not know that this is not right?
He looks of an age that he should know better. I can’t imagine staying put if I found myself in that church. I would have to get up and leave.
Josephine
Yes, it would remain invalid because of the vessels he’s using and the strange looking piece of bread he has lying on his table (not altar). When we see this kind of abuse we know that it is unlikely that he has the mind of the Church to consecrate. Most Catholics who attend Novus Ordo Masses are either illiterate in the faith or indifferent – that’s why these priests get away with so many sacrileges. It all depends on how serious Catholics are about their faith and being informed.
Athanasius,
I can’t see any “strange looking piece of bread” but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Hovis medium sliced loaf. As you say, that is no Mass. It cannot possibly be valid. I wonder how many people are still attending – surely it can’t be a lot.
Lily
Quite right. It’s not a strange piece of bread at all, it’s some kind of circular box that looked to me like a piece of bread or cake. Should’ve gone to Specsavers!
It doesn’t matter anyway because there’s no way he’s celebrating a vaild Mass. But even if he were, I wouldn’t walk my dog near a priest like him.
Athanasius,
I tried blowing up the image to see if I could figure out 3 things on that “altar” (table)…but I failed….
1. The circular piece of dough. Perhaps a scone?
2. What is that little statue on the left side of the table (to Father’s right) behind the innermost votive candle? It looks like someone strangling someone else.
3. The figure on the other side, behind the innermost votive candle to Father’s left, looks like a lion, or a cross between a lion and an owl. Any guesses?
RCA Victor,
I see a lion, I think. Whatever, all that stuff should not be on the table. I’ve never seen that before at any Mass.
Nicky,
Well, years ago, attending the novus ordo, I was puzzled to see the priest coming into the sanctuary and placing various items such as toothpaste, bottles of aspirins, that sort of thing. He would dart into the sacristy to collect another item or two and place them on the altar/table. I could not imagine what he was doing. This was a weekday Mass.
After the Gospel, he gave a short homily and today’s was focused on the idea of the Eucharist being medicine for our souls. Hence the various medicinal or “health” items decorating the altar/table.
It’s the stuff of primary school teaching methodology, where visual and/or audio resources might help a child to comprehend a concept more easily. An insult to the intelligence of the adult with average IQ, in other words.
My goodness! What a scandal.
That stole isn’t just tartan – it’s got Mary’s Meals written on it, and Mary’s Meals is a charity connected with the Medjugorje hoax, so this is one very mixed-up priest.
By killing off the Latin Mass, Francis is making it so the laity are stuck with this kind of idiocy in place of a true and valid Mass. What can they do – there will be elderly people in St Gabriel’s who have no way of getting to any other parish.
Liturgical abuses are the norm in the novus ordo.
You sometimes hear of reference to a rare “reverent novus ordo”. I don’t think such a thing has existed commonly for many decades.
As an infant in the early 80s, I have a vague memory of people using altar rails to receive communion in the proper manner, at our parish church (St Augustines, Motherwell diocese). More recently, (about 9 years ago – just as I had discovered the TLM), I was struck by the comparative dignity of the novus ordo in St Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest. People still stood to receive communion, but it was on the tongue and a server stood by holding a paten under the communicant’s chin.
Other than those two experiences, I have only ever experienced sloppy, disrespectful novus ordo masses, where the main takeaway from Mass is invariably the priests wee joke, or funny story. The homily is always some sentimental dross, often praising false religions.
It truly is absolute tripe, like everything else the mainstream Church does.
I often disparage the novus ordo by calling it “protestant slop” or similar: in fact that is doing a disservice to protestants. Years ago, I attended a Church of Scotland baptism (the usual tokenism from wholly non-religious relatives) and was shocked to see the dignity with which proceedings took place.
The minister took his role seriously and was not acting the goat looking for cheap laughs etc. The congregation was smartly dressed, in recognition of the fact they were attending worship: none of the slovenly dress which typifies the novus ordo. The music was appropriate and delivered to a very high standard, not something akin to the low-lights reel from “Britain’s got talent”. I am sure not every parish is like that, but in these aspects it did put to shame the typical novus ordo.
While there are some noble exceptions, the novus ordo priesthood does seem to attract a particular brand of narcissistic attention seeker. It often seeks like a largely homosexual clique, who all hate one another into the bargain. It common to find priests still using the old translation of mass, or making up their own words as they go along.
When I still attended the Jesuit Church in Glasgow, at the time of the new translation of Mass, a person whom I can only describe as a mad woman would lie sprawled over the choir benches at the side of the knave and would bellow the old responses at the top of her voice during Mass, just after the congregation made the revised response. Of course, this was completely tolerated and went unchallenged.
I use to find the novus ordo painful but now – no doubt to my shame – more often find it a source of great hilarity, like watching the antics in the monkey house at the zoo.
I hope +Toal will pursue ad-libbing priests with the same zealotry he showed when attacking the TLM, though I doubt it.
Maybe he might see fit also to, for example, ensure lay people receive communion according to the norms of the Church, or ensure that EMHC are indeed “extraordinary”. I wont hold my breath.
gabriel syme,
you are probably right to say that liturgical abuses are the norm in the novus ordo but surely not as bad as this example. I’ve never seen anything like it – and that’s just from the photo!
Personally, I think it’s too late to correct these abuses. The Church is in chaos and priests disobey bishops just like bishops have been disobeying the liturgical documents for years now. The horse has well and truly bolted from the stable. I can’t see Fr Morris bothering his head about anything Bishop Toal has to say to him on the subject.
Only when we get a new pope who is determined to clean out the bad priests and bishops, will we see the beginning of the end of this nightmare.
Lily,
I agree that it’s too late to correct abuses, especially since (a) abuses are encouraged by corrupt clergy, and (b) there is no will to correct them from faithful clergy.
Vatican II opened the Pandora’s Box of revolution and anarchy (by appealing to the lowest common denominator of humanity: pride), and Our Lady is waiting to close it with the Consecration.
Gabriel Syme,
Bits of your comment at 11.16 am are downright hilarious! All of it very interesting!
Rorate Caeli has a good piece from an Argentine Archbishop, which criticises ‘Traditionis Custodes’ as promoting ecclesial communion in reverse.
The Bishop also discusses the novus ordo, which is relevant here:
It cannot be denied that the Eucharistic celebration has lost accuracy, solemnity and beauty. And silence has disappeared in many cases. Sacred music (sacred?), according to Chapter VI of Sacrosanctum Concilium, deserves a separate chapter. I insist: Rome should concern itself with and pronounce itself on these disorders.
https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2021/08/op-ed-with-traditionis-custodes-francis.html#more
For your interest, folks. I emailed the link to this thread to Fr Jim Morris, intending to copy it to the Bishop, the Chancellor and the Vicar General. Due to unexpected problems with my Outlook, I was unable to use the CC facility. Instead, I emailed each of the above (Chancellor, Vicar General, and Bishop) as follows…
________________________________________ (same to Vicar General & Bishop Toal)…
From: Catholic Truth
Sent: 24 August 2021 23:16
To: Chancellor
Subject: Catholic Truth Blog
Email just sent to Fr Morris (for technical reasons I was unable to use the copy facility)
Dear Father Morris,
For your interest, I have launched a discussion thread on the Catholic Truth blog, based on the ongoing liturgical scandals in the parish of St Gabriel’s, Viewpark, Uddingston.
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2021/08/24/motherwell-make-it-up-as-you-go-along-priest-rebuked-by-bishop-stop-messing-with-mass/
Obviously, you are welcome to sign up to comment on our blog. You are guaranteed a right to reply.
Kind regards – God bless. Ends.
Imagine my surprise this morning, then, to receive the following email, forwarded to me by the Chancellor, which he had sent to Bishop Toal…
My Lord,
Just forwarding this email I got from Catholic Truth last night, supposedly addressed to Fr Jim Morris, after your response to [Name] – a concerned Catholic.
Jim
Deacon Jim Aitken
Chancellor
Diocese of Motherwell
Coursington Road
Motherwell ML1 1PP
T: 01698 269114 Ends.
“Supposedly” addressed to Fr Jim Morris? [Name] a concerned Catholic? Why not just pick up the phone and ask Fr Jim Morris if he had received an email from me? Does concerned suggest contempt for the gentleman who rightly followed up on the scandal at St Gabriel’s?
Seems Deacon Jim Aitken has no problem with this “Mass”. Takes all sorts, as they say south of the border.
And it really is very interesting indeed to see the “shoot the messenger” strategy still in play ignoring the gravity of the message.
Shocking – we need fewer modernist deacons and more orthodox and traditional priests. A deacon is about as much use as the proverbial chocolate teapot when we need absolution, and, most notable, when we are facing death.
Editor,
Said chancellor obviously has nothing but contempt for your apostolate and for you. Perhaps you should change your name to something Muslim-sounding, whereupon I’m sure his attitude would do an immediate 180.
RCA Victor,
Since the only Muslim name I’d pick (after the Muslim princess) is Fatima, I doubt it that would endear me to said chancellor!
You have to laugh!
I had a vague memory of seeing this same tartan wearing priest on YouTube but I can’t find anything now.
There’s no excuse for this at all. He looks old enough to know better.
It would be a wonder to me if there are any young people attending that parish.
Laura,
I believe you are correct about YouTube – in fact, I think someone posted something from that parish during lockdown. I must see if I can find it…
Editor,
I recall that poster Vianney once posted info on this parish, having stumbled across the parish webcam by accident. I remember he was stunned by Fr Jim’s antics, which included wandering about the Church playing a guitar and singing.
I do not remember the date, sorry!
gabriel syme,
Thanks for that – it must have been in the early months of livestream so when I get a minute, I’ll do a search.
Short time later…
I did find the video posted by Vianney (on the General Discussion (17) thread – Vianney wrote (12 Jan. 2020):
“Does anyone know anything about Fr James Morris from St Gabriel’s church in Veiwpark? I watched a Mass from his church and couldn’t believe what I was seeing. He wore a stole that was tartan at the top and had the words Mary’s Meals in the middle and figures at the bottom. Instead of a chalice and ciborium he uses a wine glass and glass dish, and appears to make up much of the Eucharistic Prayer as goes along. He plays the guitar and sings during Mass, and sings during the distribution of Holy Communion instead of saying “the Body of Christ.” If you have nothing better to do tonight, and want to do a little bit of penance, there will be a Mass tonight at 5,30 pm
https://stgabrielsviewpark.scot/web-cam/
Two things about this scandal: one, Francis, as usual, talks out of both sides of his mouth, complaining about abuses in the Novus Ordo while putting a pot of dirt on the altar at St. Peter’s. Two, I don’t know how long this tartan priest has been making up his own “mass,” (“mess”) but he is really just imitating his boss.
In which case, I am tempted to ask of Bishop Toal, “Your Excellency, have you corrected the liturgical abuses perpetrated by the very Vicar of Christ? You know, the fellow who no longer uses that title.”
RCA Victor,
I’d forgotten about that “pot of dirt”… You are so right about Francis’ speaking with forked tongue. Big time.
Adding this poor priest and faithful to my prayers today. Absolutely correct and laudable to complain this to the bishop.
The validity of the Mass is not really capable of being worked out from the photo, though. I don’t see the hosts on the altar and am under the impression the cream-coloured thing is an electronic device.
The use of glass vessels would appear to be a reprehensible flouting of canon law, as is the stole wearing, and all the accoutrements on the altar – little pictures and statues- look ecccentric and I wouldn’t be surprised if they broke canon law.
But validity = matter (unleavened bread which we can’t see and therefore can’t assume isn’t there); form (words of consecration, which can’t be judged from a photo) and intention (to do what the church does, which is a very broad intention and capable of being there along with scandalous liturgical abuses such as the ones this photo reveal.) We can’t judge by the expression on someone’s face that they don’t have the correct intention. If anyone disagrees with me, they can borrow my photo album. In each photo, I look intellectually disabled despite my reasonably high IQ. I also often look troubled when I’m happy.
It is important not to go further than the evidence shows. Liturgical scandal: yes. Invalidity: not necessarily. We might prefer that such a scandalous liturgy didn’t surround the beautiful presence and sacrifice of Our Lord. But alas, it is the case that when He opted to come down from Heaven onto the altar for us poor sinners, He foresaw that He would deliver Himself into the hands of liturgical abuse, too. Another thing to thank Him for, and yes, to fight against of course.
sentirecumecclesia
I tend to follow the wisdom that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s a duck. I think there is more than sufficient evidence in this instance to at least strongly suspect invalidity in the pictured Mass. If a priest like Fr. Morris goes so far as to flout Canon Law regarding the integrity of the sacrifice then it is fair to conclude that we have here a man who doesn’t actually believe it’s a sacrifice.
If “outward signs of inward grace” is a good guideline to follow then “outward signs of loss of faith” is equally applicable. This Fr. Morris clearly doesn’t have the faith and should be removed from parish life as a scandal to Catholic souls. He’s not a stupid man, he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Athanasius,
Yes, he knows exactly what he is doing. I’m reliably informed that he was still wearing that tartan stole this morning.
Editor,
I’ve just checked back and the original email sent to this priest from your source was on the 14 August, and it is obvious that he copied Catholic Truth in there, so the fact that the priest is still wearing that ridiculous stole, speaks of arrogance and defiance, as well as contempt, not just for CT but for the Church’s rubrics.
He should be dismissed – he does not believe in Transubstantiation, IMHO.
ED am still waiting on an answer to an Email I sent to The Motherwell Diocese of the Horrible Gender Act from the Equally Horrible S. N. P . As regards Children making a Decision at 4 Years of Age to Change Gender . I asked that all the Catholic Bishops in Scotland with ONE Voice make this Be known to the Horrible S.N.P. that it is not just wrong but would in 1946 have come under Nuremberg Codes . I am of course still waiting for an answer .
As for the Guy Above my question to Him would be Why are You not wearing a Celtic Scarf at least it would maybe make you More Authentic. Still maybe Fr Jims related in some way to
William Wallace and wants to show His Braveheart Side . In all Honesty Cuedos to the Person who took the Above Photo as I would have walked out ( and probably Most on Here ) had a Supposed Catholic Priest come onto the Altar wearing His Teams Colours.
Of course as regards the Latin Mass as the Good Bishop has seen it to be as Bergoglio says unauthentic then all Latin Masses on a Sunday ( actually their was only one ) are banned in the Motherwell Diocese. I personally would travel to Glasgow but their is no transport where am from and I just do not want to go back to the N.O. At least there is a Latin Mass on a Thursday Night so for now until Bergoglio Bans them all am afraid thats the only one I shall be attending.
On the TLMASS all around the World on –Return to Tradition Site — it’s said that the Bergoglio is going to call all of the Society’s who say it to Rome to completely wipe it out altogether ,before He goes to His Appointed Place . The one who is really behind the Banning of The Latin Mass is supposedly Professor Andre Grillo and it’s really worth reading about this ( to me ) Evil Man . He is right up there as it says with Jimmy Martin. Of course now that Bergoglio is saying The Ten Commandments shouldn’t be seen as read literally anything goes .
Am not good at posting Links so ED please have a look at this Man Grillos C. V . as it says He’s quite the Character. Also going back to Bergoglio calling the Real Catholics to the Vatican where I them I would not go . Of course that’s one of the things he’s Banking on and I wouldn’t be Surprised if Bergoglio Excommunications were in the Horizon.
Personally anything Catholic that this Heretic says should now be denounced.
FOOF,
You are doing the right thing by attending the Thursday TLM – under no circumstances should you, or any other aware Catholic, return to the novus ordo.
As for Grillo. Cough. Ahem… We ran a thread on him only a few days ago…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2021/08/20/andrea-grillo-the-lack-of-brains-behind-who-inspired-if-not-wrote-traditionis-custodes/
I am interested in this matter because Bishop Toal seems to be very tolerant of dissenting priests – he’s tolerated Fr Jim Morris’s liturgical abuses for years, and he’s allowed Fr Paul Morton, gay activist, to remain in post as PP in Cambuslang years after his work to have LGBT+ resources brought into Scottish schools – yet, Father Despard remains suspended for the crime of seeking to expose homosexuality in the priesthood. Isn’t that what St Peter Damian did? He was made a Doctor of the Church, so it can’t have been a bad thing to have spoken out so vehemently against priests being homosexually active. Why then is Father Despard still suspended?
Zephyrinus,
Yes, the treatment of Fr Despard stands in stark contrast to the way the liturgical dissenters and pro-“gay” clergy are treated.
That gives plenty of food for thought…
Zephyrinus
I was never very sure about the situation with Fr. Despard and therefore avoided comment whenever the matter was discussed on this blog. In light of recent events, however, I am now of the opinion that Fr. Despard is in fact a victim of unjust episcopal censure precisely because he challenged peversion in the priesthood. God will reward him richly for what he has suffered as a consequence, but woe betide Bishop Toal and the scandalous priests he’s protecting when they stand before the divine judge.
Athanasius,
I kind of understand your hesitancy about Fr Despard but I heard that the diocese is punishing Fr Despard’s aging parents as well by their treatment of him. I can’t remember the details, I think to do with their house/domestic living arrangements.
That Bishop Toal has no conscience, though, that’s for sure.
Further info: Francis Summons Roman Mass Communities To Rome https://gloria.tv/post/tTsnkgnokKjD43EXW9mx6vHAc Well it won’t be for tea and biscuits, will it?
Westminsterfly
Not unless the tea is spiked!
I wouldn’t put anything past him.
This is just amazing. As Taylor Marshall says, with all the liturgical abuse going on in the Church today (and this Motherwell Diocese scandal is one major example) this American cardinal has banned the Hail Mary and the St Michael’s Prayer at end of Mass. It’s beyond ridiculous.
Michaela
I know of an SSPX priest who likewise abolished the Leonine prayers after Mass, claiming that the Popes only intended for them to be recited at the end of private Masses. Said priest was later corrected by superiors and the prayers were restored, but it’s an example of how the poison of Modernism can penetrate even into places we thought were safe. Such confusing times!
Athanasius,
Goodness, if the SSPX do away with the end of Mass prayers we can hardly blame an ultra-modernist bishop for doing so, LOL!
Lily
Thankfully, this experience is limited to only one priest in my 35-year association with the SSPX. My concern, however, is that he has demonstrated other odd ideas and is generally not a very pious or zealous priest. The real worry is that the superiors seem unconcerned about the situation when they should be taking steps both for his good and for the good of souls under his care. I think this latter development is what troubles me more – it’s a warning sign of creeping indifference.
I cannot believe this article attacking Father Jim. We joined his masses from the beginning of Lockdown and have loved every single one of them They are full of warmth, love and friendship. We feel a part of this community now which love.
My friends in America have also joined in and they too are overwhelmed by the love that comes from each of his masses.
Once lockdown is completely over and I am back to our local church, I will still be tuning into at least one of the online masses.
Do not know where we would have been without father Jim during these awful times and just thank God that we found him, by chance, on the service guide.
Keep God’s work yourself a very special priest who has brought us through some very dark days
Your loving online congregation.
“Warmth, love and friendship” are not what the Holy Mass is about, though you will find plenty of that emotional stuff in Protestant kirks. The Mass is the Holy Sacrifice of Calvary whereby we unite ourselves at the foot of the Cross with Our Lady, St. John and the holy women in sorrowful adoration of Our Saviour as He pays the price for our sins.
In the Traditional Latin Mass of the saints and martyrs, the priest faces God as head of the people standing at a high altar. He is at that moment Christ the High Priest offering Christ the Victim to the Father for the remission of sins and the pouring out of divine grace. In “Fr. Jim’s” Novus Ordo piece, he stands facing the people over a meal table with his back to God offering human warmth, love and friendship which is not remotely supernatural. He even goes so far as to let emphasise the meal aspect by using vessels that don’t meet canonical rules for consecration and by wearing a stole that has “Mary’s Meals” emblazoned on it.
Well, you just go right ahead and enjoy “Fr. Jim’s” we warm, and friendly humanist gatherings over a table while we Traditional Catholics attend the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that sanctified our ancestors all the way back to St. Peter himself.
Athanasius,
Your insight is phenomenal on the issues facing the church and the Traditional Latin Mass.
I think you, and other users, might be interested in looking at this dossier I have been compiling with regards to Father Jim’s masses: [Editor: pop video removed – some mistake, perhaps? Or, maybe not.] Makes for interesting viewing and will help to get us back to the One True Faith. [Editor: I know it can be tempting to be funny ha ha, but it doesn’t always work, and can turn into funny hmmmm… A serious comment would be preferable. ]
God Bless.
Online Parishioner,
You may feel part of Fr Jim’s community but you are not part of the community which is the Church, the Catholic Faith. You are actually part of the new Vatican II cult which behaves as if the Church only started in the 1960s with that Council.
“Love” is an over-used word. It’s not loving to mislead people and that is what this priest is doing by pretending to offer the Mass, as we have always understood it. He’d be better openly saying he doesn’t like the serious stuff and he is replacing it with his own fun version.
Online Parishioner,
Why not watch a traditional Mass and see how much more spiritual it is? Remember, in the missal, you can read the English side if you don’t know the prayers.
Actually with a top Masters degree from a world famous university and a Higher in Latin, I am more than capable of understanding the Latin Mass Also coming from a strong Catholic family, I was blessed to see faith in action every day. Jesus is so much a part of our everyday life and I am so thankful that he is always there for us
Some Catholics who have decided to abandon their faith for whatever reasons have, on watching Father Jim’s mass, returned to prayer and hopefully when the time is right for them , will return to the sacraments Meanwhile they have become devoted followers of Divine Mercy and the rosary which has brought peace and happiness into their lives.
Online Parishioner
Intellectuals are a very dangerous breed of human being, unless they have spades of humility to match their degrees. Vatican II was the work of intellectuals, as has every heresy ever to afflict the Church. The fact that you praise this Fr. Jim is hugely worrying for one so apparently educated in the faith. Very worrying indeed, but by no means unusual.
Online Parishioner,
It doesn’t matter how many degrees you’ve got from however many top universities, understanding the Mass is something deeply spiritual and it takes more than a clever mind to really comprehend it, if anyone can ever really grasp its full significance.
About the lapsed you mention who will “when the time is right for them, return to the sacraments.”
How do they know that God will wait until they decide the time is right for them? One of the great saints (I think it was St Alphonsus) said that the same God who promises the penitent forgiveness does not promise the sinner tomorrow.
Listening to a priest strumming his guitar and preaching easy going sermons, isn’t going to nourish souls in any meaningful way. Sitting on a couch watching these services on TV is not going to be enough to satisfy God’s commandment to worship Him with true worship and to keep holy the Sabbath day. Fr Jim is not doing anyone any favours with his shows on video. I can’t see them as true Masses, even novus ordo.
I apparently missed something when I first read your posts. You describe yourself as an “Online parishioner,” and write that you joined the “Masses” (if that’s what you think they are – this is highly doubtful) of this scandalous priest from the beginning of lockdowns. Am I correct in thinking that you are tuning in to these “Masses” remotely, via Zoom or some other electronic means, and not attending them in person?
Here are some more questions:
Are you aware that online Masses do not satisfy the Sunday obligation? That being the case, how is it that you describe yourself as an “online parishioner,” when there is no such thing?
Can you explain how you can belong to a “community” by viewing “Masses” that feature peace, love and beads, but no Catholicism? What sort of “community” is this?
Since you are capable of understanding the Traditional Mass, why aren’t you attending one?
What sort of prayer have Catholics returned to upon viewing these “Masses”?
Are you aware that the Divine Mercy devotion is highly suspicious? We have discussed this on this blog several times – perhaps Editor would be so kind as to post a link to one of those….
RCA Victor,
Your word is my command – here’s the link to (I think) our first discussion on the Divine Mercy Devotion…
https://catholictruthscotland.com/2014/04/24/is-the-divine-mercy-devotion-catholic/
As for the rest of your post, all I can day is… game, set and match!
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