At the end of the celebration of ordinations which filled the diocesan Church of Fréjus-Toulon with joy, I expressed to all the participants my closeness with the seminarians of the Missionaries of Divine Mercy who are still waiting, which is a real ordeal for them and their community. I invited people to pray for them.
The dialogue continues with their superior, the competent Roman Dicasteries (Divine Worship and Consecrated Life), in relation with Cardinal Aveline, our metropolitan archbishop.
The context is as follows: the liturgical norms currently in force specify that there is only one expression of the the law of prayerthat of the liturgical books promulgated since the Second Vatican Council, with however a possible concession, only for the use of the old missal. For a young diocesan priest or of this community of diocesan law who would be ordained, this concession now requires the authorization of Rome.
Beyond liturgical questions, a spiritual and pastoral conversion is at stake, which consists of recognizing on the one hand that the vocation is a call from the Lord and from his Church to which the seminarian gives a response without setting conditions, and on the other hand that the community is well integrated into the diocese, and can play an important role here and elsewhere in the work of communion with the faithful attached to the old missal.
I reiterate my confidence in Father Dubrule and his community. They also know that I accompany them with the concern of obedience and communion with the Apostolic See. I count on the confidence of all towards the Church, our Mother.
Mgr François Touvet
Coadjutor Bishop of Fréjus-Toulon
