January 20th

Feast of Sts. Fabian and Sebastian

IT is now time to

1) send letters of Recourse to the Dicastery for Divine Worship

and

2) send letters to the Dicastery for Bishops

For a reminder of all the issues we are dealing with, please see HERE

sending letters of Recourse to Dicastery for Divine Worship

Since the Bishop has failed to reply (as far as we know) to any who wrote to him in the initial ten (10) day period following the issuance of his Protocol against the use of altar rails, kneelers, and prie-dieus (Prot. No. B 339/25), and since he has failed to rescind the Protocol as requested, and since the Protocol has now become effective, we are now at the end of the thirty (30) day period in which we were required by the canonical process to wait for the Bishop’s reply. Therefore, we now have fifteen (15) useful days (days on which the Holy See is not closed, like Sundays), from the 30-day date following the date on which your letter was received by the Bishop. This actual date will vary for each person, depending on the date you sent your letter to the Bishop. These are fifteen useful days and do not include Sundays and holidays on which the Holy See is closed.

Your Letter to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments (DDWDS)

A sample letter has been drafted HERE which contains all of the essential elements needed in this Letter of Recourse to the Holy See. Please base your own letter on this one. You may add your own feelings on the matter but please write calmly and directly. This is a technical matter and the Dicastery needs only the essentials. You should also include a copy of the original letter you sent to Bishop Martin, if possible.

It is advised that we sent these letters directly to the DDWDS. A copy of the letter may also be sent to the Nuncio. These addresses are HERE

HERE IS A SAMPLE LETTER to the DDWDS

As a reminder, this process is time-sensitive. Letters must be received by the Holy See within the fifteen (15) day period. Further, this matter directly impacts the many good priests who are Pastors of parishes with altar rails. It is important that we let them know how we feel and that they communicate this to the Bishop. The Pastors have also initiated their own process of Recourse to the Bishop and to the Holy See, including sending dubia (questions of doubt) about the Bishop’s authority to issue such decrees as were in the Protocol. In addition to the process of recourse, please visit the initial RESOURCE PAGE for the occasion of dealing with the Bishop’s new Protocol:

sending letters to the Dicastery for Bishops

Given the extent of the situation regarding the leadership of Bishop Martin over the Diocese of Charlotte, it is appropriate for us all to begin appealing to the Holy See for assistance. The Holy See prefers to know exactly what you want them to do when you reach out to them via letter. Given the current issues with which we are dealing, and the ongoing struggles across the Diocese, it would not be out of place in such a letter to politely request that the Dicastery for Bishop begin an Apostolic Visitation of the Diocese, during which they may fully assess the situation. Again, the main role of our letters is to keep the Holy See properly informed of the situation so they may make the correct decision, rather than seek to tell the Holy See how they should act.

As one Canon lawyer said, “The Church recognizes the right of the faithful to make known their spiritual needs and wants to the Church's pastors (c. 212 §2).  In fact, the faithful may even have the duty, based on their knowledge and expertise, to bring to the pastors of the Church their concerns regarding the good of the Church (c. 212 §3).  That is what your letter should be, helping the Dicastery for Bishops understand the current state of the Diocese and the legitimate spiritual needs and desires of the People of God.  It should not tear down or seek to humiliate anyone, only to help build up the Church in Charlotte.”

Therefore, it is encouraged, while stating your appeal or concern, to share with the Dicastery for Bishops your awareness of any problems with Bishop Martin's leadership of the Diocese and the negative morale that has emerged as a result. When petitioning the Dicastery for Bishops, please mention anything of this sort of which you are aware as a member of the Diocese or have personally experienced as an individual. Our goal is not to seek to tell Rome how to intervene, but to provide Rome with the important information they need in order to make the best decision on our behalf.

All addresses for these Dicasteries are listed HERE