Here we present some recent articles about the case of the “crows
in the Vatican” published by the Italian newspaper Repubblica:
the only reason why we want to cite them is the fact that they point
out another detail about the anomalous “approval” of the NCW.
In a letter, addressed to Cardinal Bertone at the Secretariat of
State, signed by Cardinal Leo Raymond Burke, the chief of the
Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura writes that he found on
his desktop an invitation to participate to a celebration that would
have been held by the Pope six days later, ‘in the occasion of the
approval of the NCW’s liturgy.’ The letter is dated January 14th,
2012 and the postmark shows that it has been received on January
16th.
The high priest appears to be very upset by the fact, even angry.
‘As a Cardinal and as a member of the Congregation for Divine
Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments—we read—cannot avoid
expressing he surprise this invitation caused me. I do not recall
having heard about a consultation regarding a particular liturgy for
this ecclesial movement. In recent days, many people—even a highly
esteemed American Bishop—sent me expressions of concern regarding
the possibility that the Pope may give such approval, which they
already knew about. I regarded them as rumor or speculation. Now
I’ve discovered that they were right.’
That’s how Cardinal Burke ends his letter to Bertone: ‘As a
faithful student of the teaching of the Holy Father with regard to
liturgical reform, which is fundamental for the New Evangelization,
I believe the approval of such liturgical innovations, even after
the corrections on the part of the Prefect of the Congregation for
Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, does not seem
coherent with the liturgical magisterium of the Pope.’
Please read again with care his words: Cardinal Burke states:
‘even after the corrections’ to the ‘liturgical innovations’ of the
NCW, Neocatechumenal liturgy ‘does not seem coherent with the
liturgical magisterium of the Pope.’
It’s a very soft way to say that the Neocatechumenals go against
the Pope. It’s something that arises ‘concerns’ among Bishops. Also,
these are maneuvers carried out—as everybody knows— ‘without the
Pope’s knowledge.’
Another article reports Pope Benedict XVI’s reply, two lines in
his own writing (note well the date: January 20th, the very same day
of the Neocatechumenal auto-celebration before the Pope):
‘I send [Burke’s letter] back to Cardinal Bertone, inviting
Cardinal Burke to report maybe also this extremely just observations
in the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the
Sacraments.’ B XVI 20. I.12
We provide here some useful links:
