When is a definitive statement from Rome not a definitive statement, but a “recommendation”? When you’re Cardinal Roger Mahony of Los Angeles.
Gerald at Closed Cafeteria has received a copy of a memo sent out by the LA Archdiocese regarding the recent order from Pope Benedict that ends the indult granted temporarily to the US Church that allowed Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion to purify the sacred vessels (thereby resulting in many sacrileges, incidentally). The memo gives the facts and then ends with the following directive:
Until Cardinal Mahony and the auxiliary bishops have the opportunity to discuss the new recommendations, both locally and at the general meeting of the USCCB in November, no changes will be made regarding the present policy for the distribution of Holy Communion and/or the purification of the sacred vessels.
These weren’t “recommendations”; this is an exercise of the Pope’s authority to ensure uniformity of worship through the legislation of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Nowhere in the Pope’s remarks, Cardinal Arinze’s notification, or USCCB president Bishop William Skylstad’s letter to US bishops does it say this is a recommendation or that implementation can be delayed.
Once more, Mahony shows that he ignores all authority but his own.
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