Tuesday, 12 November 2024
Introduction - Necessary to be Read
Note to readers: This article was the first in a series of posts dealing with the very serious matter of the actions taken by the current Bishop of Christchurch, New Zealand, banning the 'Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer' from the Christchurch diocese where they are based. I apologise for the fact that this and other related articles recently appearing on this site, are not chronological, but they collectively cover a relatively short period of time, and most are dated. All the articles are reproduced from Fr.Michael Mary's own blog-site.
Dear Family members of the Sons,
Dear Friends of the Sons,
On 11 July 2024 I was convoked to the office of the
Bishop of Christchurch.
The meeting was brief. Without any previous
warning, I was given 15 documents that attempted to invoke Canon Law in
relation to our community. The documents were unclear to the extreme. There is
some confusion around to intentions. However it seems as though this was trying
to imply that our community should leave the Christchurch diocese within 90
days. The documents were an attempt to withdraw the priests' authority to hear
Confessions within the area of the diocese. A final document (different from the
one below) attempted to suppress the private community of the Daughters of the
Most Holy Redeemer and it ordered them to leave the diocese within 90 days.
The General Expulsion Document. No. 4/16.
This is the first time in the history of the Church
in New Zealand that any religious order has been placed under expulsion decrees
and precepts. These drastic measures are most unjust severe penalties.
The Decrees and Precepts left each and all of us
reeling. The Mainstream Media carried the news to New Zealand, and the Internet
carried it beyond.
This blog registers our personal reflections on our
experience that has culminated in, and pivoted from the decrees of the 10th
July 2024.
It needs to be said that the decision to publicly
defend ourselves has been slow. The reason being that we do not wish to cause
ourselves further persecution. But finally we have decided that we cannot
permit our reputation to be further sullied. We should not remain silent so
that people, waiting to know how we feel, think that we must be guilty of some
henious crimes. We also have close friends and family, and Faithful who come to
Mass here, all of whom have been embarrassed and shamed. Therefore, we are bound
to speak out and explain to all our friends and families just what we have been
going through in this ordeal that is actually a mental persecution that has
involved ostracization, shaming, calumny, bullying, threatening and even
stalking.
This is not a place for 'dialogue', there will be
no 'Comments' section.
This blog will have posts written by different
people who want to tell you, our families and friends, just how it has been for
them, or what we think important to note in the attempted expulsion of our
community.
Peacefully, prayerfully and as well as we can, this
is our offering for those who cannot understand why we are still here, still
living in the Christchurch diocese; why we have appealed the Decrees and
Precepts to Rome; and why we have not "shaken off the dust from our
feet" and gone away. Yet, here we are! Hoping that the active Catholics in
the diocese would decide to live together so that the Peace of Christ would
Rejoice in our hearts.
Devotedly
Father Michael Mary, F.SS.R.
Rector Major and Superior General
13th November, 2024
Holy Mary, Mediatrix of All Graces and Rosa Mystica pray for us.
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