Parish communique in the Diocese of Manchester, NH
Dear Parishioners of Mary Queen of Peace and Parish of the Holy Spirit, On Behalf of Fr Britto and myself, I write to inform you all of an important change in status of the Saint Benedict Center and the “Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School: Following recent decisions reached by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Saint Benedict Center, The Saint Benedict Center, Inc., and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, have been placed under strict canonical prohibitions and obligations As a result the Most Reverend Peter Libasci, Bishop of Manchester has determined Beginning January 7, 2019, under no circumstances may Catholics receive the sacraments of the Church at the Saint Benedict Center or any of its locations, nor should they participate in any activity provided by this group or school.
This is a new set of circumstances for the St. Benedict Center. Prior to this new directive from Bishop Libasci and the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, Bishop Libasci had been allowing for certain sacraments to be offered at the St Benedict Center (Confession and Eucharist). This allowance has been rescinded. I know this may cause questions and confusion among some of you. The diocese has invited anyone looking for further details to refer to the diocesan website at: www.catholicnh.org/about/stay-informed/frequently-asked-questions/#stbenedict. Any specific questions can be directed to The Office of Canonical Services and Tribunal 603-669-3101.
In his desire to provide for the pastoral needs of Catholics in NH, Bishop Libasci has arranged for the Latin Mass to be offered once a week at St. Stanislaus Church in Winchester. The Latin Mass will be offered on Sundays at 7:45am by a priest of the Fraternal Society of St. Peter (FSSP). I remain with you all in prayer and if I can be of any assistance on this matter, I will do my best. In Christ, Fr Alan Tremblay (and Fr Britto Adaikalam).
Below is a copy of what can be found on the diocesan website regarding this matter: What is the status of the Saint Benedict Center and the “Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary” and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School? The individuals who work and reside at Saint Benedict Center in Richmond, NH, are men and women who have chosen to live in community having adopted and following their own set of rules. Neither Saint Benedict Center, the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, nor the self-referenced “Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary,” enjoy any recognition, canonical or otherwise, in the Universal Roman Catholic Church or in the Diocese of Manchester. They are not a Catholic organization, nor can they, or should they, present themselves in such a way. The Immaculate Heart of Mary School is not a Catholic School, nor can it, or should it, present itself as such, or imply that it offers an education rooted in Catholic Tradition.
In the past, the Bishop of Manchester has granted permission for a priest in good standing to offer ministry at the Saint Benedict Center. Unfortunately, this fact has been manipulated to imply the Bishop’s support or recognition. To avoid any further confusion as to the status of the Saint Benedict Center and the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, beginning 7 January 2019, Catholic priests are now under strict prohibition from celebrating the Sacraments of the Church at the Center.
The theological teachings of the Slaves and those associated with them on the principle “extra ecclesiam nulla salus,” (outside the Church there is no salvation) was declared “unacceptable” by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in Rome, in April 2016 and reaffirmed in October 2016. Rome considers the matter closed! Therefore, the Slaves of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, The Saint Benedict Center, The Saint Benedict Center, Inc., and the Immaculate Heart of Mary School, are placed under strict canonical prohibitions and obligations.
It is the most sincere hope of the Bishop of Manchester that all those associated with the Saint Benedict Center and its various entities will rediscover full communion with the See of Peter. Catholics are not permitted, under any circumstances, to receive the sacraments of the Church at the Saint Benedict Center, Richmond, New Hampshire, and its associated locations, nor should they participate in any activity provided by this group or school. In his pastoral care for the souls of those who work, live at, or reside near the Saint Benedict Center, the Bishop of Manchester has arranged for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form of the Mass (Latin Mass) at St. Stanislaus, 80 Richmond Street, Winchester, NH 03470, on Sundays at 7:45am. Letter from Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: https://www.catholicnh.org/assets/Documents/About/FAQ/StBenedictCtr-CDF-Ltr-10.26.18.pdf Precepts of Prohibition:https://www.catholicnh.org//assets/Documents/About/FAQ/Decree-Precepts-StBenedictCtr.pdf
Today we celebrate the baptism of Christ in the Jordan. This is the second epiphany, or manifestation, of the Lord. The past, the present, and the future are made manifest in this epiphany. The most holy one placed Himself among us, the unclean and sinners. The Son of God freely humbled Himself at the hand of the Baptist. By His baptism in the Jordan, Christ manifests His humility and dedicates Himself to the redemption of man. He takes upon Himself the sins of the whole world and buries them in the waters of the Jordan. — The Light of the World by Benedict Baur, O.S.B. PARISH O
Editor: So I guess we don’t need to worry about sins any more then!