Kudos to the Bishop's office for using the blogs to get this message over.Bishop Patrick O’Donoghue has received the strong endorsement of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Rome (CDF) for his teaching document, Fit for Mission? Church.
Archbishop Luis Ladaria S.J. , Secretary to the Congregation, expressed the hope that not only the faithful of Lancaster, but also ‘Catholics throughout Britain, will find hope and encouragement ‘ in Fit for Mission? Church.
Earlier this year Cardinal Renato Martino, President, Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, and Archbishop Mauro Piacenza, Secretary, Congregation for the Clergy, congratulated Bishop Patrick for his challenging document promoting an authentic Catholic identity for today’s Church. First published in August 2008, in response to popular demand Bishop Patrick brought out an expanded edition with the Catholic Truth Society in October.
In March 2008 Cardinal Levada, Prefect to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wrote a foreword to Bishop Patrick’s expanded edition of Fit for Mission? Schools. (CTS Do 779).
In the light of the recent controversy widely reported in the press concerning Fit for Mission? Church, Bishop Patrick is particularly encouraged by the CDF stating so clearly, ‘You and your collaborators are to be congratulated for alerting the faithful to the dangers of secularism and hedonism’.
The Secretary to the CDF also expresses the Congregation’s pleasure in noting that Bishop Patrick has ‘taken up so many important issues raised by Pope John Paul II in his Apostolic Exhortation Ecclesia in Europa. Fit for Mission? Church courageously outlines the range of challenges facing this generation of the faithful in Europe, none of which is greater than the danger posed by the ‘dimming of hope’ and weariness that is so widespread today (Ecclesia in Europa, 7).’
Finally, Bishop Patrick wishes to highlight the CDF’s endorsement of the importance he places on the Catechism of the Catholic Church for the future of the Church in this country, which is central to both Fit for Mission? Church, and his earlier document, Fit for Mission? Schools:
‘This Dicastery is particularly pleased to note the importance placed in Fit for Mission? Church on the Catechism of the Catholic Church as an invaluable resource for the mission and vitality of the Church. It is to be hoped that not only the faithful of your own diocese, but also Catholics throughout Britain, will find hope and encouragement in your document’.
Bishop Patrick expressed his delight at receiving Archbishop Ladaria’s letter on behalf of the CDF:
‘I would just like to express my heartfelt thanks to the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith for supporting the programme of renewal I have now fully set out in Fit for Mission? Church, and Fit for Mission? Schools. At the heart of both documents is the urgent appeal to Catholics throughout our country to reject the misinterpretations of the Second Vatican Council that have become so wide-spread. Once again we must commit ourselves without reservation to the fullness of doctrinal, moral and liturgical truth safeguarded by Peter!’
The Catholic Truth Society's expanded edition of Bishop Patrick O'Donoghue's "Fit for Mission? Church" is available at: http://www.cts-online.org.uk
3 comments:
Fabulous isn't it? And as you've been known to say ' The Power of the Blog!'
A heartfelt thank you to Bishop O'Donoghue for all the work and faithful support he has offered to Catholics in this country.
‘Catholics throughout Britain, will find hope and encouragement‘ in Fit for Mission!
From a personal standpoint I would like to let Rome know that Catholics throughout Britain would find great hope and encouragement were this good Bishop and True Shepherd of his flock given a red hat!
Thank you and God Bless you abundantly Bishop O'Donoghue.
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