Exorcisms Part 4. Sorry. ... It doesn't add up....

 The publicity on television and in the newspapers was all about "Illegal Exorcisms".

It was said that an "expert" was to coming from Rome to hold an investigation into the "Illegal Exorcisms". The fact is that we may never know why the Apostolic Visitation was called. It may be disappointing for the people who thought it was indeed about the "Illegal Exorcisms" but the facts do not seem to add up to that being the reason at all. It could have been a 'smoke screen' for something else. It could be that the people complaining were a convenient occasion.

For the world it looked to be about "Illegal Exorcisms". But "Illegal Exorcisms" are not difficult to decide. Legal or illegal Exorcisms are a simple matter of arithmetic. You simply count the Faculty Letters issued by the local ordinaries and match them with the people who received the Rite of Exorcism. That does not take two months of Apostolic Visitation to sift.

The fact is that the Apostolic Visitator never asked any member of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer any questions about Exorcism. 

The Apostolic Visitator never asked to see any paperwork at all, about anything at all. He wasn't interested either in asking questions or receiving answers.

Concerning Exorcisms this is all that came back from Rome:

"Exorcisms
The Bishop of Christchurch has put a stop to all unauthorized exorcisms. Some exorcisms performed by FSSR priests in the past may have been approved but other seem not to have been."

Comments:

1. The first sentence makes no sense at all: How can authority put a stop to what is unauthorised? If it is unauthorized, it means that authority was ignored in the first place. So if authority is ignored, how could authority put a stop to what was, and would always be, excluded from? 

2 The second sentence concludes nothing at all. It is not arithmetic. "some... may have... other seem not." This was a question of straight arithmetic. The answer was easy to find. Certainty was possible.

We had headlines! We had TV exorcism graphs on the map! Experts. Unfortunately it produced nearly two lines and thoroughly concluded nothing when a conclusion was certainly possible. Whatever it was all about, it certainly wasn't sincerely looking into Exorcisms and finding the truth about them. Nor was it about anything we were questioned about.

Believing the experience of the Apostolic Visitation was a sincere event in our lives is proving to be a challenge. 

   

Exorcisms Part 3 - Prolonged Exorcisms.... What does the Church say?

 The newspapers and Internet accused the exorcisms performed by the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer as being "prolonged". 

The accusation of "prolonged" exorcism means that the priests performing the exorcisms were abusive and in the wrong from the get-go. They were "prolonged" therefore they were certainly abusive.

What does the Rite of Exorcism itself say about the length of exorcisms?

Standard 17.

Standard 17 has the answer:

"17. He will pay attention as to what words in particular cause the evil spirits to tremble, repeating them the more frequently. And when he comes to a threatening expression, he recurs to it again and again, always increading the punishments. If he perceives that he is making progress, let him persist for two, three, four hours, and longer if he can until victory is attained."

The sessions that our priests conducted were usually as follows:
Preparation: First Holy Mass was offered for the person receiving the Rite of Exorcism.
Rubric 1 of the Rite says in red:
The priest delegated by the Ordinary to perform the office shall have gone to confession, or at least elicited an act of contrition, and offered the holy sacrifice of the Mass, if it was convenient to do so; he ought, moreover, to have implored God's help in devout prayer. Vested in surplice and purple stole, and having before him the person possessed (in fetters if there is any danger) he trces the sign of the Cross over him, over himself, and the bystanders, then sprinkles them with holy water. Kneeling down he prays the Litany of the Saints exclusive of the prayers that follow it, with the others making the responses. Thereupon he says:
Antiphon. Ne reminiscaris...

Session 1 Then the priest reads the Rite as prescribed 60 - 90 minutes.
Refreshment Break 30 minutes. (Priest and assistants have been fasting from the night before).
Session 2 Ususlly shorter than 60 minutes.

The Rite of Exorcism as laid down by the Roman Ritual is the law and the standard by which all judgments should be made.
By the Rite of Exorcism a 90 minute session could in no way be considered to be "prolonged" since it does not hit the two hour base line.

The Rite itself encourages a session to be 3 or 4 hours long, and even longer. (cf Standard 17 above)

Conclusion:

The traditional Rite of Exorcism sets the standards.

Anyone asking for the traditional Rite must expect it to be 

according to the standards and the rubrics.

The priests worked within the time line structures of the rite.

The statements made about "prolonged" exorcisms indicates ignorance of the Rite. 

Exorcisms Part 2 - The Roman Ritual

 

Coat of Arms of Pope Paul V

The Rite of Exorcism is found in the Roman Ritual promulgated as law by Pope Paul V in 1614.

Understanding the Roman Ritual is therefore important in evaluating the Exorcisms that the local ordinary asked the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to perform when he issued faculties for the Rite.

Through the centuries there were many different Rites. With the advent of printing it was decided by the Council of Trent to review and publish them in one book for the Latin Church. It was not immediate. It was only in 1614 that Pope Paul V brought into being, the book we know as the Roman Ritual, or in Latin the Rituale Romanum.

 

Pope Paul V

(1550 - 1621)

The Roman Ritual contains the sacred and authentic rites of the Church that are to be observed in the administration of the sacraments and other ecclesiastical functions so that they should be carried out according to a public and fixed standard by following the rubrics.

What are Rubrics?
The rubrics are the directions that govern the rites. It is important to note that rubrics are laws, they are not creative suggestions. They have full legal force. Rubrics bind as law in the same way that Canon Law binds. They emanate from the Pope and impose upon the priest an obligation to obey them. With the Rubrics the Pope also set out the 21 Normae, the standards to be observed.

Titulus XII

The Rite of Exorcism is Titulus XII in the Rituale Romanum made law by Pope Paul V in 1614.

1952 edition of the Rituale Romanum

The Rite of Exorcism underwent no change in the 1952 edition photographed on this post.

All questions concerning the Rite of Exorcism should reference the rubrics and standards of the Rite as set out by the Church through Pope Paul V in 1614.

Conclusion:
Any questions about the Rite of Exorcism 

should be answered by:
What does the Rite direct?

Did the priest follow the directions?

Was he obedient to the Pope's Rubrics and Standards?

Exorcisms Part 1 - The Authority to Perform the Rite of Exorcism

 

The Rite of Exorcism

The Rite of Exorcism is governed by Canon 1172 and the rubrics of the Rite.

THE CANON

Can. 1172 1. No one can perform exorcisms legitimately upon the possessed unless he has obtained (peculiarem et expressam licentiam) special and express permission from the local ordinary.

2. The local ordinary is to give this permission only to a presbyter who has piety, knowledge, prudence and integrity of life.

THE PIVOTAL AUTHORITY

The pivotal actor in an Exorcism is the local ordinary, the bishop (or the Apostolic Administrator when  diocese is without a bishop). Both sections of canon 1172 expect that the local ordinary do all that is required to assure that his permission is not routine but special and express.

The special and express permission for the Rite of Exorcism belongs to the local ordinary alone. We have a letter in which the special and express permission was conditional for a particular person. It is understood from the Canon that the local ordinary performs his own due diligence in respect to the Rite. Some dioceses ask that the person first consult a doctor or psychologist to make sure that possession by an evil spirit is a distinct probability.

According to Canon Law the local ordinary chooses the priest who is to be the exorcist. 

THE EXORCISTS

The exorcist chosen by the local ordinary then performs the Rite of Exorcism according to the rubrics that are laid down in the Rite.

There have been four Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer named in faculties to perform the Rite of Exorcism by the local ordinary of Christchurch: Fathers Michael Mary, Anthony Mary, Yousef Marie and Magdala Maria.

In respect of Canon Law all the priests of the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, who have performed the Rite of Exorcism have done so because they were delegated to do so by the local ordinary of the diocese of Christchurch. The delegation was in writing. The  faculty specifically named the exorcists and the same document conjointly named the particular person who was to receive the Rite of Exorcism.

WE  AFFIRM

We affirm the truth, that the Rite of Exorcism, which opposes and casts out the Father of Lies, has never been performed by a priest of Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer within the diocese of Christchurch without the written letter of delegation issued by the local ordinary of the diocese of Christchurch. 

THE RITE OF EXORCISM PERFORMED ON A CHILD 

From the above, it may be concluded with certainty that the Rite of Exorcism was never performed on a child, as has been spread by gossipers, those who talk eagerly and casually about us. That we performed the Rite of Exorcism on a child has also been asserted by those who have chosen to malign us.

All cases for the Rite of Exorcism that were confided to us by the Local Ordinary were well over 21 years of age.

(Part II will respond concerning the Rubrics of the Rite of Exorcism) 

Outrageous - by 'Mantilla the Younger'

---I fell asleep last night, book in hand, and had a dream. It was the enemy of God and he was talking to his apprentice.

My dear Wormwood...

"My dear Wormwood, we must congratulate ourselves on the marvellous job we have done in keeping alive the anger in the hearts of the enemies of that Oratory. Their ideas and influence have now spread so far and wide that the ends we have been so patiently seeking are all but certain. More have joined them now and we must encircle that vile church like wolves, so that all of us together can obliterate it!

"It has been excruciating for us to watch the carnage that has been occurring over these last few years in that place. It is simply not in line with what we are trying to achieve in the world today and it must stop! Especially troubling are all those young men, one after the other, growing to love our Enemy and His (shudder) Mother so much that they would be willing to give their lives to Them. How many vocations have there been emerging from that place these last few years, Wormwood? What?! Seven you say? Outrageous - simply unacceptable!

October 2024, St Mary Magdalan's cave, La Sainte Baume
"Do you know what many of them will do to us if we do not put a stop to this?"

"Do you know what many of them will do to us one day if we do not put a stop to this? They will become priests! ... that will go out into the world with fire and zeal in their hearts and preach against us. They will stop us from doing our work, Wormwood, they will stop us dragging souls to hell to share in our agony for all eternity, they will lead souls to our Enemy and to an eternity of joy and happiness instead - and I simply cannot allow this.

"We are now at the climax of what we have worked so hard for, so close to achieving our goal!! We have influenced so many to distrust them and done a marvellous job spreading lies, detractions and calumnies against them! We have painted them black as night. Just a little longer, Wormwood. You must double up your efforts now so that we can destroy it once and for all. Get everybody on the job. Hone in on any possible lie or twisted fact or fiction and magnify it - make it HUGE! Make up more dirt, whatever it is doesn't matter - we are desperate now - I can taste it, our success is so close!

"With that Oratory out of the way, we can practically have a holiday! Ugh, that disgusting preaching every Sunday... those Brothers and Sisters sending so many prayers to our Enemy... those parishioners trying so hard to live holy lives... those horribly sweet little children growing up with the (ugh) Truth... the hideous modesty in the way they dress... that ceaselessly growing congregation with all that offensive forgiveness in their hearts towards their enemies...  Outrageous!!! 

Their reverence for that Sacrament

O Sacrament Most Holy, O Sacrament Divine

Oratory men in Papa Stronsay

...powerless to distract them...

Their reverence for that Sacrament nauseates me, Wormwood! We are virtually powerless to distract them in their Masses because of that unbearable devotion of theirs. Not even one opportunity are we provided to abuse our Enemy in that church - oh how it scourges me, how it tortures me!!! And how I hate that LATIN!! How can we ever hope to bring our diabolical changes to the Mass if it's in that dead language and in the hands of THOSE priests who are so determined to preserve its authenticity?!

"Go now Wormwood... get all our friends onto it with the greatest urgency... quickly now, before people become bored with all the repetition and realise our tactic of falsehood and illusion - keep the momentum. DO NOT STOP until that Oratory is destroyed!!! And if all those innocent people are hurt along the way then all the better!!! Go Wormwood... GO!!!"

---I awoke in a pool of sweat, the book still in my hands. "Screwtape Letters." Oh dear, I must stop doing my spiritual reading so close to bed time. So grateful it was just a nightmare. I don't think I could bear it if it were actually true :( 

A Letter from One of the Twelve Novices

 Praised be Jesus, Mary, Joseph and St Alphonsus!

Dear Readers, 

I hope this letter finds you in good spirits. I am writing to share my experience regarding the ongoing challenges faced by our Community the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, as well as the distressing narrative that has emerged in the media and from cetain ecclesiastical authorities. As a new novivce, I feel compelled to express my experience and the profound impact these accusations have had on our community.

Having joined the Congregation as a Postulant in 2023 under the guidance of the Very Rev Father Michael Mary FSSR, I have witnessed firsthand the unwavering support and love he extends to all of us. Father Michael is not just a leader; he is a father figure who genuinely cares for our spiritual and temporal well-being. Contrary to the accusations leveled against him, I can attest that my experience here has been one of nurturing guidance, devoid of any form of abuse and dominance as claimed.

The recent Pastrol Letter from Bishop Gielen (Bishop of Christchurch) has caused significant distress not only to me but to many others. It was one of the worst days of my life. The incessant calls from family and friends, expressing concern and urging me to leave the Sons, were overwhelming. They were influenced by the mispresentation of our priests and superiors as bullies, a claim that I firmly refute. My Superiors do not embody that characterization; rather, they represent kindness, understanding, and a commitment to the care of souls.

It pains me deeply to see the damage that has ensued from their decisions, which appear to be made without thorough investigation or understanding. Has Bishop Gielen ever considered the damage he has done, the people he has scandalised and the sheep who have scattered because of his act of injustice. Our Lord teaches us in the Gospel of St Matthew, “Blessed are those who suffer persecution for justice sake,” and I find comfort in this truth. We are the ones who suffer unjustly, caught in the web of falsehood spun from these unverified accusations. It is my hope that those spreading these rumors, lies and gossip and the Bishop himself will reflect on their actions and recognize the harm done to innocent reputations and souls.

In a world that often judges without understanding, I urge Bishop Gielen to seek the grace of prudence and dicernment. The integrity of leaders is paramount in guiding a community, and I witness that grace abundantly in my superiors. They exemplify the true spirit of our mission and embody the true values we cherish as SONS OF THE MOST HOLY REDEEMER.

As I navigate this turbulent time, it is my intention to offer my prayers at Mass and Holy Communion for all those who are involved, including Bishop Gielen and the PRESS. May they recognise the truth and find clarity and justice in their hearts.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. I hope that sharing my experience sheds light on the genuine spirit of our Congrgations and its superiors. Your prayers and support will be very much appreciated, and we remain committed to serve Our Lord Crucified and our community with love and integrity.

May God Bless you all.

Yours in Christ,

Novice, of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.

(This Novice is aged 19 years- The Editor)

Tasty Pies - by Br. Dysmas

 

Just so we are clear, the number 1 finding of the Canonical Visitation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer in Chch 2023 was that their church is too small. Not crimes or abuse… Bigger church. Number 1 finding – Bigger Church

Sheffield needs a Bigger Pie Shop

“Hold on”, you might say, “Hasn’t Christchurch Diocese been closing churches? Haven’t all the parishes been consolidated into arch-parishes named after the four points of the compass? Why is the church in Rutland St too small? Why do they have so many faithful attending Mass?”

I’m not sure but it could be the same reason that people will travel from far and wide and wait in queues for a Sheffield or Fairlie Pie… Their pies are just better than anyone elses.

Sheffield Pies -World Famous in South Island, N.Z.

Now imagine we were in fact talking about a nationwide (even worldwide) company. The Rutland St Branch had shown such growth and success that they had grown out of their premises while other branches in the same city had to shut their doors. The manager would get a bonus, their success story would feature in the company newsletter and an investigation would be commissioned to determine the reason for their success with a view to teaching ‘their ways’ to the other branches.

But the Catholic Church is not a mere corporation, so things are done a little differently. An investigaton is carried out, not to emulate them but rather to find out what is wrong with them. All staff are fired without reason, their licenses revoked and ordered to leave the city within three months. Their story is featured in the newsletter warning all with big words like “illicit”, not to visit the Rutland St Branch. And it’s safe to say that their manager is still waiting for his bonus.

Then the poor Rutland St employees, who can’t really see the reward in this staff incentive scheme, appeal to the employment court and obtain a hearing. Meanwhile the branch continues to operate, and public opinion is still a little too high. People have even been calling up head office and asking if they can still visit the Rutland St Branch in the meantime. This must be stopped. To solve this problem the media are deployed. Nothing explicit, no witnesses or evidence, which can be disproved, just trigger words, rumours and fill-in-the-blanks puzzles. That will sort the public opinion out.

Something tells me that this style of management is not conducive to company growth but that's a story for another day.

Nevertheless, in spite of all this, many faithful customers still visit the Rutland St Branch daily. Weekend numbers are high as ever and the pies still taste darn good. If you haven't stopped by before I encourage you to go along and see for yourself. They have even recently expanded to a second location in North Canterbury. Ah well, at least the head office did something right in the end and gave them a new premises. No no, don't be hasty, they had to buy it themselves... From the competition!

"Will Never Cede Control" - Fr Yousef Marie

Setting the record straight. Accusations that Fr Michael Mary "will never cede control" and enjoyed having control over other people contradicts the facts of election.

Fr Michael Mary and all those who govern resigned at the First and Second General Chapter as required by Canon Law and the Constitutions of the Son of the Most Holy Redeemer. The election was open to all the perpetually professed members.

Fr Michael Mary was first appointed superior by the Bishop of Aberdeen in 2012 until the First General Chapter.

The First General Chapter was held in 2015 in the presence of the Rt. Rev. Dom Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen. The perpetually professed members voted. Father Michael Mary was elected in the first ballot and duly installed by the Bishop of Aberdeen. 

The Second General Chapter was held in September 2021 in Montana, USA. According to Church Law the election ws held in the presence of the Episcopal Delegate and two Tellers.

Father Michael Mary was elected Rector Major in the first ballot as was solemnly attested by the Episcopal Delegate and the two Tellers.

The result of the election was conveyed officially to Rt. Rev. Dom Hugh Gilbert, O.S.B., Bishop of Aberdeen who promulgated this news to the Diocese of Aberdeen on 29 September, 2021. 

Therefore the accusation that Fr Michael Mary "will never cede control" is a baseless lie spread by the Press and by those making such comments. 

Picturesque Lies - by Brother Nicodemus

 

Repeating a story, in itself unfounded, and adding a dangerous word, facilitates a "published story" being later quoted as a kind of historical evidence. Thus the nasty little new word becomes "fact". In the repertoire of our detractors, these creeping lies have become key.

- The Press enquired (see previous post) before publishing its 30 November full broadsheet page "about" us, stating that nearly three decades ago Fr Michael "instructed people to strip off their habits and swim in a different river"... (Our emphasis.)

- More than a week after their enquiry, they published an article in which this had now morphed into: "followers were told to strip naked, leave their habits where people could see, and swim in the river anyway... (Our emphasis.)

- By the evening the online version had the following footnote: *CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story said Father Mary asked followers to strip naked to bathe in a religiously significant stream at Lourdes. Father Marshall says they actually stripped their habits. (Amended 6.16pm, November 30, 2024)

- Their story now reads: "were told to strip off their habits*, leave their habits where people could see, and swim in the river anyway"...

You can see very clearly from this that the word "naked" had been interpolated into the text, and was, by the newspaper's admission, false. The original enquiry text had the exact same wording as the "corrected" text: "strip off their habits" The word "naked", like the other untruths that have been pronounced against us over and over again, is the poison that changes a silly, skewed and incorrect  account into something outrageous. While you can correct it in an online footnote, what is written remains on the paper and in the minds of all who read this.

Note too in this line alone how the narrative "improves" from "instructed people", which becomes "followers were told", which becomes in the correction "asked followers", and in the text "followers were told"; How "people" becomes the poisonous "followers". 

This modus operandi seems reminiscent of what FM Dostoevsky makes Fr Zozima say to Fyodor Pavlovitch Karamazov: “A man may know that [he has invented the insult for himself], has lied and exaggerated to make it picturesque, has caught at a word and made a mountain out of a molehill - he knows that himself, yet he will be the first to take offense, and will revel in his resentment till he feels great pleasure in it.”

Media Correspondence - What is Said Vs What Is Printed - by Will

 For any interested enough and especially for any reading the articles printed by Stuff wanting an idea of the information they receive vs what they go ahead and print, I have copied the below correspondence. The first email is in reply to Stuff journalist Sinead Gill. Her questions are numbered, lettered, and in italics.

Emails begin below:

Hi Sinead, 

Always interesting to hear from you! 

Before responding to the points I'll again point out the frustration of dealing with the opinions of anonymous people regarding our situation. It's hard to see the benefit of using news media as the middle-man in this "conflict" which leads me to believe it is being done intentionally to air grievances that cannot be satisfied through any valid channel--i.e criminal or canonical. It would, as always, be helpful to be privy to specific claims or complaints so they can be scrutinised. 

Moving on. 

a) Former members say this recent blog post, on the a site managed by Fr Michael, illustrates how community members have been led to believe FSSR's way is the only valid form of mass. A former FSSR priest, who still gives mass in TLM, believes this is a means to keep people loyal to the Sons and scare them from attending other mass.

I reject that Fr. Michael has done anything like this or believes that the FSSR is the only offerer of valid Mass. This is factually false and no one at the Oratory believes this. The Mass in the Extraordinary Form is sought out by devout Catholics for many different reasons. I can speak confidently for my own family and many others on this matter. To give a couple of examples, one family attend TLM because of the clear Graces they receive from doing so. Another family attend because the Novus Ordo was "destroying their faith." The list goes on and on. Hypothetically, if the Sons were removed from New Zealand, we would engage the SSPX to come down and fill their space so we can continue to celebrate The Holy Traditional Latin Mass. 

           b) A former member says FSSR leadership is too involved in the personal lives of members and has too much control - multiple former members and the parent of a person in your community believe people have been "brainwashed" and believe anything Fr Michael/leadership tells them

This is a mind-boggling statement. If I were to tell you, Sinead, that I think you are too involved in the personal life of a friend of yours, how would you react to that? You would rightly tell me it was none of my business to whom you were inviting into your home and spending your time with. Let these people worry about their own families, social lives, and brains. It must be noted that any involvement in the personal lives of the congregation with The Sons happens under invitation only. The Sons do not request or demand they be invited over for dinners or other social events. There is no intrusion but only the charity and joy of receiving them. 

           2. a) Former members and a current priest who follows TLM believes it is wrong and  disingenuous for the Sons to be holding regular mass, despite the Bishop's orders, and saying it is OK because it is being described as private.

This is their opinion. According to the Canon Law we are right. According to the Bishop of Dunedin, and as he has advised at least one enquiring young-gentleman, The Sons' Mass is valid. We wish to remain objective. +Gielen has not the right to stop the Mass in the manner he is attempting. 

                b) They say FSSR bringing in visiting priest without permission but saying they don't need permission - when the Catholic Church of Aotearoa have safeguarding rules - is an example of FSSR not respecting authority or following rules.

Again, Canon Law says differently; Priests do not need to seek permission to say Mass. This is a fact. The Catholic Church of New Zealand know and understand that we have our safeguarding in place and that it is strictly adhered to. It would be disingenuous of them to say otherwise

                c) They believe that Fr Michael is "a law unto himself" and "no one can stop him 

What on earth does this imply?!? Law unto himself in what regard? When, what, who, how? No one can stop him from doing what exactly? On two separate occasions, The Sons have offered to leave the diocese and both times their offer was rejected. Does this sound like the actions of individuals who are "laws unto themselves"? If they wanted to "stop" Fr. Michael they've had ample opportunity. Instead his presence has been both requested and required.

                d) They describe Fr Michael as "domineering" and theatrical, choosing to preach things that are scary, "extreme"/ "fire and brimstone".

Are we on trial now for the personal style of sermons given by Fr. Michael? I can tell you, I don't think I have missed a sermon by Fr. Michael in the last four-or-so years and they are few and far between. It may surprise these individuals that the Christian faith deals with matters such as life and death, Heaven and Hell. Matters of the soul. These are all grave matters--shall we recommend to Fr. Michael that it is only sunshine and rainbows on the pulpit from henceforth? We have a very good balance of sermons/reflections typically from 4 different priests who each carry their own style and deliveries. They are all a joy to listen to.

                 3. a) One former member showed me an email from early 2022 from Fr Anthony Mary, who warned people against attending a private mass by an  unauthorised priest. In it, Fr Anthony said it was a "source of division, which is from the depths of hell" and the former member believes this is hypocritical when FSSR are holding what they call private mass themselves. They ask why this is any different.

Ah the infamous email. I think Fr. Anthony has well and truly had his penance for this one. The priest in question had no standing in The Church whatsoever; he was a breakaway from the SSPX. The FSSR and many other orders are in good standing with The Church and in full and undisputed unity with The Church. This is the basis of Fr. Anthony's warning and that is why it is different.

                4. a) A representative of the Anglican Church, which owned the Ohoka church FSSR recently bought, said at no point in the dealing was the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer mentioned. They believed they were selling it to a trust called "friends of St Albans". Why was FSSR/your lawyer not forthcoming about this?

It had been discussed in some depth between members of the congregation, our need for a church or other building to accomodate our growing community. It is, in my opinion, completely inappropriate that a congregation our size should have to, every holiday season, go hunting to borrow another church in the diocese, or school hall, or rural town-hall to celebrate our Mass. We don't all fit at the Oratory during these times you see. Given +Gielen's hostility toward TLM and The Sons, and him being in somewhat "cahoots" with the Anglicans, and his already having blocked a purchase of a church down in Timaru some time ago, we thought it wise to secure a purchase under a trust instead. Despite all this I am told the Anglicans did in some capacity understand the purchase involved The Sons. I don't know what motivates them to say otherwise after the fact.

                5. a) Liz Gregory of the Gloriavale Leavers Trust is concerned there are parallels between the FSSR community and Gloriavale. In her support of ex-FSSR members, she is concerned members were led to believe they will go to hell if they don't stay loyal to FSSR/follow their rules. She said the group has the markers of a "cult"/"high control" group, in that there is a charismatic leader, people are isolated from outside networks (rely heavily on community and spiritual leaders to meet their needs, making it feel near impossible to leave, she said) and pitted against each other (referencing how some ex-members have faced accusations of lying or having personal vendetta for challenging the leadership and believing people who say they experienced abuse).

As I have stated above in one of the first points, we are here for TLM. TLM is the centre of our lives--not The Sons. Gloriavale is a Hutterite style group that incorporates entire families living, working, and educating in common. Members of Gloriavale, as I believe, sign documents of obedience. We are none of these things and no such thing has happened where people are advised they will go to hell if "they don't stay loyal to FSSR/follow their rules." This is absolutely ridiculous. None of the members of The Sons would say that the FSSR is the only way to Heaven, not only is it a factually false statement, it calls to question the integrity of whomever made the statement! Are they even Catholic? Do they understand all the Eastern Rites and other valid orders and forms of the Mass? There is no cult. There is no control. What are the examples of this? The only instruction I have personally been given is that it is my duty as a Catholic to fulfil my Sunday and Holy day obligations--one will receive the same advice from any Catholic priest around the world.

Is it a negative thing to have support from a community of people who are close to you? No one is being pitted against anyone, in fact it remains that these accusers are still largely anonymous! How can we be pitted against those we do not know? How can we have personal vendettas when we don't know who has made accusations!? People come and go from the community constantly, I see new and old faces regularly, people come and go as they please which is their right. 

                      b) An academic with no involvement in advocacy says people should feel alarmed about FSSR, based on what she has read about the group. Her description of a "high demand" religious community (she does not like the word cult) aligns with Gregory's description of FSSR.

Remember no charge has been brought, no accusation levelled. What she has read about "the group" are lies, embellishments, rumours, and hearsay. Same applies to the point/woman directly above. So basically an academic and an ex-cultist are alarmed about falsehoods. Good on them and all the best with their careers. 

                      6. a) A former priest of FSSR believes that Fr Michael liked having control over what people did, even if at the time the temporary rules seemed small and on a whim. He gave an example of a short period of time where members of the order had to walk around with large crosses on their belt weighing about 3 pounds.

No idea what is being spoken of here but remember that Fr. Michael is the elected Superior General of a religious order. His entire job is to govern, whether he likes it or not. I am not privy to the lives, inner workings/structures, or disciplines of the various religious living around the globe. Seems a small and strange detail. The phrase, "scraping at the bottom of the barrel" rings a bell. [Update in the morning], one of our monks has told me he was present wearing his own cross on this occasion and that it didn't weigh 3-pounds as claimed. It was worn for three-hours in memory of our Lord's passion probably some time in 1992...32 years ago. 

                          b) Re: dislike of authority, he gave an example of when the order was living in France in the 90s. He said Fr Michael was angry that the authorities would not let them swim in a stream in Lourdes, significant to St Bernadette, and out of anger instructed people to strip off their habits and swim in a different river, which he felt was just public indecency.

Literally laughed out loud at this. So Fr. Michael hates authority because one time, 30-years-ago he couldn't swim in a stream? Very good. 

 

                          c & d) He said prior to the reconciliation, Fr Michael said the Pope wasn't valid. What is Fr Michael's view of the validity of the current Pope?

                                     In his opinion he said this clash between Fr Michael/the Sons and the church was inevitable, and expects that Fr Michael will split from the church before agreeing for the Sons to leave the diocese.

I don't think any of this is relevant to the current situation and is just injected to attempt to drum up further conflict--this is just his opinion. I will say however that reconciliation would not have been possible if one was denying the validity of the Pope. 

To finish I will attach in a separate email a document from Fr. Michael to +Gielen. In this document, and for the third (?) time, Fr. Michael offers to his one of his superiors, +G,  to leave the diocese. Though this time with the caveat that the faithful here in Christchurch be properly administered to once The Sons have left. Something we greatly appreciate as we are dealing with a bishop who clearly doesn't care for our needs. Again, this was rejected but clearly shows Fr. Michael's acknowledgement of authority. 

Email 2:

Thank you for this response Will. I just came across old press releases - dated July and August 2023 - from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) which includes some specific wording on what the allegations were. These were published online and largely are allegations I've seen reported by media already, so I believe they were put to Fr Michael/the Sons at the time, but just in case there is something new to these allegations you'd like to comment on please let me know today. Linked them below.

That in 2021 SNAP "received complaints of prolonged exorcisms and religious confessions involving sexual deviancy".

A separate press release: "The allegations involved children being told they were possessed by Satan, having lengthy exorcisms performed on them without prior medical examination, priests’ sex-testing children, sexualisation a penitent disclosure in confession, and isolation of parents from their children."

Response:

Hi Sinead, 

These were the accusations that formed the basis of Paddy Gower’s hit-piece. These have already been responded to many, many times and have been thoroughly rejected by us, the police, and the former Bishop of Christchurch. 

Kind regards,

Will

How I feel about it - Father Michael Mary

The spit continues. Accusation, detraction, calumny. I read it with my eyes and each word is like thick spit. I can wipe the spit from my face, brush it off, but it still penetrates my mind and inner sanctum. And I know that anyone for ever searching the Internet could read it and doubt me; mock me and scorn; spit again behind my back.

So how do I feel about it? It is not easy, but it is getting better.

I thought tonight of the prophet who was given a scroll with words written on both sides of the parchment. He was told to swallow it. He ate it and said that it was bitter to swallow but it turned into something sweet in his stomach. Beautiful image! (Ezk 3:1, Apoc 10:9) I think that this is what all this is supposed to be like.

I read the detractions and calumnies and have to swallow them. They are bitter, humiliating. Digestion is slow. But little by little, with the help of Our Lord, they will become a beatitude, and I pray for that. For He said: Blessed are you when these things happen to you for His sake and get ready to rejoice. So that's my optic on it all. It's the tough "Yaka" of our life with Christ.

 I am not the only one who faces these things. Many face worse calumnies. Let us all swallow whatever is written, for the love of Jesus. I say to myself "it's good for me!" whatever it is. Pray and let Our Lord's Crowning with Thorns and Mockery lead us on the road through painful indigestion of the scroll, to eventual peacefulness and spiritual sweetness, to finally rejoicing for the love of Him. That's the treatment we must follow for our souls. It is the way for every person who suffers from detraction and calumny for the love of Christ. 

Remember also what St Alphonsus teaches: He says that the dog only bites the stick that hits him and doesn't see the hand that hits. Which means that it is foolish for us to be angry and bite those who have detracted and calumniated us. They are the sticks. But the hand that hits is the Hand of God. Since God gives us this thrashing, we should submit to it for His glory and in submission to His purposes. It sounds tough, and it is tough, but it is right and just and true. That's us. Forgiveness is a work. It costs. We must pay well for the grace to get it right.

But there is more. It would be incomplete to avoid the charity of stating that every detractor has a moral obligation to reparation. I fear for our enemies. I say that in charity.

We have now reached a depth of detraction and calumny that is gravely immoral, way over the top. Now deep damage has been done and continues to mount. St Alphonsus teaches that each priest and monk possesses nothing in this world except his reputation. The reputation of our community members has now been most unjustly and gravely wounded, practically destroyed. Catholic media calls a Catholic Religious Congregation a "sect". We have become the offal of Christchurch diocese and now is true that "Any stone is good enough to throw at a dog!"

Be that as it is. May our enemies know that I love and pray for them, that I would willingly talk with them and help them to undo the damage that they have caused or contributed to knowingly or unknowing. As God Wills, that the peace of Christ may dwell in our hearts.

Devotedly

Father Michael Mary  

Response of Christchurch born Brother Ernest Maria.

 A 16th-century Italian priest, St. Philip Neri, gave this penance to a woman who confessed to spreading malicious gossip.  First, she was to go to the market, buy a chicken, pluck it, and scatter the feathers as she walked home. The next day, when she returned for the rest of her penance, he instructed her to go about the town and collect all those feathers she had plucked and scattered. She objected, saying that it would be impossible, for the wind had spread them everywhere. The saintly priest replied, “Let this be a lesson for you, for it is exactly the same with your wicked words. Just as the chicken feathers have been scattered by the wind in every direction, so have your wicked words been scattered in every direction by other people, repeating your stories!”

I am a young member of the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, and a native of Christchurch. Not withstanding the pain of having been given, not by name but in effect, an exile order from my own home, I wanted to express the pain and frustration of seeing the men and the Congregation I love so unfairly caluminated.

For what it is worth, in the over three years I have spent with the Congregation, as a member of the faithful and within the Congregation itself, nothing has given me a moment of concern or suspicion. There is not a culture of secrecy; we are all part of the same family. The (normal Religious) obedience required in the Congregation has, in my experience, been nothing but fatherly and just, polite even. Indeed, much more so than one would get from any boss, maybe even from a spouse or parent. I have never been asked to do anything that my seniors have not done or would not happily do themselves. No treat or privilege is reserved only for fathers. Just like a family, we share in everything: the joys and woes. Any accusation of a culture of bullying, of practises psychologically harmful, of abuse and love of power on the part of the fathers of the Congregation, or, indeed, of their having any nefarious designs, are absurd. They are completely backwards. I can only give my own case.

Before discovering the Oratory and the Congregation I was certainly depressed. Though never diagnosed, I was physically diminished on account of my psychology and mindset. Through the Latin Mass, and the reordering of my life by the direction of the Sons, I improved quickly and decisively. Since joining the Congregation I have never been happier. I talk to my family at least monthly, and, when in Christchurch, see them often. They are not members of the faithful but they, too, have noticed the change for the better in me. They can see that there is genuine and informed love for the life we live and for the Congregation itself.

The media has spread lies, and have even made many up of their own accord. But, by his actions, the Bishop of Christchurch has given credence to those lies. He has a large share in the responsibility for the damage done to the Congregation, and to souls. It cannot be overstated: people are scandalised; reputations have been permanently marred. The chicken has been plucked and the feathers have been scattered on the wind. Nothing can fully repair the damage that has been done. Even so, it is high time the culprits, particularly the Bishop, start picking up some feathers.

 

- By Brother Ernest Maria

 

 

Brother Ernest Maria is presently in Papa Stronsay, Scotland. He is due to return to Christchurch before Christmas. He has been absent from New Zealand for a little over one year in order to complete his canonical novitiate in Papa Stronsay, our novitiate house, where he is one of  the four NZ novices present there. As of today we have a total of 19 novices and temporary professed. Of the 19 there are 7 New Zealanders and 2 Samoans. Please pray for their perseverance.