BY CHRISTINA FARRELL
NINL CNIFIN lc bishops have been "named and shamed" by the Latin Mass Society for failing to implement the. Pope's wish for "wide and generous" celebration of the traditional Mass.
A 16-page document, detailing the bishops' unwillingness to grant permissions for the Mass, has been submitted to top Vatican officials.
The LMS said it decided to send the document in advance of the English and Welsh bish
ops' ad limina visit to allow Roman congregations time to prepare their questions.
The LMS has confirmed that the document was sent to Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Dario Ca.strillon Floyos, president of Congregation for the Clergy and Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State.
The LMS points out that in
the apostolic letter. Ecclesia Dei, published after the Lefebvrist schism of the 1980s, John Paul 11 wanted the old Mass to be available.
David Lloyd, LMS vicepresident, said the names of six helpful bishops were also on the list. He said: "We have already received letters from both Cardinals Arinze and Hoyos. TheY said: 'We trust that your detailed document on the present situation in the dioceses in England and Wales with regard to the celebration of the Mass ... will be
put to good use." Mr Lloyd said he was not in a position to name the bishops, but he said non-compliance with the Pope's request was widespread. He said the LMS had interpreted the Pope's request that the Mass be "widespread and generous", as meaning it should be available nationally as opposed to being "isolated and irregular".
The LMS says its concerns have been ignored "to a point" by the bishops' conference.
Mr Lloyd said: "We asked the bishops' conference to consider the issue on a national basis and they have not done that, preferring to pass responsibility over to the individual bishops. This is why we are naming and shaming them. In our opinion they are not being generous."
He said none of the bishops had absolutely banned the old rite Mass, but some have been "so isolated and in such obscure parts of the diocese that they are inaccessible to many people". In some instances people had to travel up to 100 miles to attend.