Joliet Pastor Praises Islam and Demeans the Mass of All Ages

Joliet's Finest

Edit: Today is the feast of St. John Vianney, patron of Priests, feared of the Devil.  It is a terrible mockery that on this feast, we're presented with someone who is an anti-Cure, and were it not for his approved status, we'd think he was an imposter.  He thinks no differently, actually, than the rebellious priests on the Viennese Cardinal's  watch who say a lot of the same things he does.

The following is a parish bulletin file from the Parish of Divine Savior in Downers Grove, Illinois, we received from "Concerned Catholic". He says that the pastor, Father William Conway, is downplaying the Immemorial Mass of All Ages. In another bulletin this priest even praises Allah and Islam.

You can also contact the Diocese about this individual:

Diocese of Joliet
Bishop R. Daniel Conlon
Bishop of Joliet
Office of the Bishops
425 Summit St.
Joliet, IL 60435-7193

phone: 815-722-6606
fax: 815-722-6632

Father, despite his spiritual and liturgical eccentricities, does make a good point, though, as the designation of "extraordinary" seems to make the Mass of all Ages into a preferential luxury.

We also noticed that his reading list leaves something to be desired. Can anyone who holds Karl Rahner SJ as an authority on Liturgy really expect anyone to believe they're Catholic? In any wise, what would happen to Father Bill if the norms of the Vatican Council II as he understands them were suddenly rejected and the Immemorial Mass of all Ages were to be recognized as the norm, as Cardinal Ranjith maintains? We suspect he'd take his pension and become an non-denominational pastor somewhere.

Moreover, Vatican II is a lot like Wittgenstein's famous Duck Rabbit. It can mean just about anything you want it to mean, unless you want it to mean something Catholic according to these Old Liberals who throw their poisoned darts. We've taken some effort to parse the comments.

It Doesn't Matter As Long As You're Not Catholic

Take a look at the parish council. Most of these people will be gone  in twenty years, God willing.

It is worth one’s time to consider what some of the Church’s leading theologians at the Second Vatican Council thought and wrote concerning the Eucharist and liturgy. In recent years one hears some speaking of the role of the priest in the liturgy as acting in persona Christi (in the person of Christ). My fear with such language is that it may have the effect of clericalizing [ Ah, this familiar old complaint. Destroy the priesthood and you destroy the Church] the celebration of the Eucharist, making the assembly once again a passive observer. At. Augustine reflecting on the meaning of ecclesia as the unity of the Body of Christ.

The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Sacrosanctum, Concilium) clearly underscores this understanding when it states the when we are gather at the Eucharist Table, it is in that moment that we are truly Church (ecclesia). Furthermore, in the gathering through the Holy Spirit we act with Christ, the High Priest, in offering the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to the Father. On this idea of the sacerdocio of the assembly in the Eucharist Yves Congar, O. P. cites the words of St. Peter Damian – words that at first glance appear somewhat contemporary: “the sacrifice of praise is offered by all the faithful, not only by men but also by women, even though it might appear to be offered in a special way by the priest alone (p. 26)”. These words were written a thousand years ago! Would that those who wish to restrict or limit the presence and active participation of women in the liturgy take heed of the words of St. Peter Damian.

While I respect the decision of the Holy Father to permit the extraordinary rite of the Tridentine Mass (please note “extraordinary”),[It never stopped you from using Eucharistic "Ministers", no doubt] my criticism of this form is that by the very manner of its celebration it renders the role of the laity to being little more than onlooker.  [Assuming the passivity of those present at the Immemorial Mass is a serious slur] In fact, it was precisely because of this that the Council Fathers in Sacrosanctum Concilium mandated the reform of the Latin Rite of the Catholic Mass: “In the restoratio and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people is the aim to
be considered before all else (#14)”. [Active participation doesn't mean that you have a hoard of EXTRAORDINARY ministers, either]

Phrases, such as “in persona Christi”, “ad orientem”, I believe run contrary not only to the spirit of Vatican II but to the very tradition of the Church. [If you'd bothered to read Cardinal Ratzinger's, "Spirit of the Liturgy", you'd know that it actually is] reclined at table with them.

It is worth noting the language of the Eucharistic prayers of the Church concerning the role of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist. The Holy Spirit is not only the one who sanctifies and makes holy, but also makes us the “communio sanctorum” one in Christ: “may all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in unity by the Holy Spirit (Euch. Prayer II).[This Prayer was made up out of whole cloth]

Be it Yves Congar, Odo Casals, Virgil Michels [SIC. Father Virgil Michel OSB, belongs on this list, but you should spell his name right.], Karl Rahner, Hans Kung, Schillebecxks, Joseph Ratzinger, or other theologians, I am grateful for their insights that have deepened my appreciation and wonderment for the Eucharist as the prayer of the People of God.

- Fr. Bill Conway