Reversing decline

From Mr John Medlin Sir, Eric Hester (Comment, Dec 5) analysed the process of church closure and parish amalgamation in the Diocese of Salford which in the next few years will be repeated in all the dioceses of England and Wales with such a ferocity that many will think the Church is collapsing in these isles.
The situation is grim indeed — the result of 40 years of deceiving ourselves, of tolerating sham Catholic education in our schools, hollowed-out catechesis, hostility towards long-standing Catholic piety and practices and a denigration of the supernatural essence of our Faith.
And yet there is hope. Increasingly our young seek out sound teaching, orthodox doctrine and the fullness of Tradition. Where can these be found? Among other places in those traditional priestly and religious orders which offer the traditional Roman rite and sacraments and to which Eric Hester alludes — chief among which are the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter and the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest. Both have been seeking an invitation from our bishops to work in parishes in England and Wales but have been cold-shouldered. Why?
Both these world-wide fraternities are encouraged by Rome; their ordinations are carried out by such as Cardinals Castrillon Hoyos, Medina Estevez, Piovanelli and many archbishops and bishops. They have been given parishes and churches by enthusiastic local bishops in America, Canada, South America, Australia, Africa, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and Belgium. They have seminaries overflowing with young men; the average age of their priests is startlingly young; wherever they go they invigorate parish life and receive many conversions; they establish schools which teach only the orthodox Faith; they promote charity and good works and produce many vocations.
Why will our bishops not listen to their tellow bishops around the world who have nothing but praise for the work of these traditional orders? Or do they all wish to share the experience of the unfortunate Bishop of Salford, whose very rust action on returning from the recent ad limina visit to Rome was to announce the closure of 15 churches and the purchase of a one million pound suite of offices? Is this the re-evangelisation of Europe to which the Holy Father has called us?
Yours faithfully, JOHN MEDLIN Development Manager The Latin Mass Society London WC2