Thursday, May 26, 2011

Cistercian Abbey Shut Down

Per Rorate:

The Cistercian abbey linked to the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem (Santa Croce in Gerusalemme), the Sessorian Basilica, one of the seven most relevant basilicas in Rome, has been suppressed by a decree of the Congregation for Religious (Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life), approved by the Holy Father, following the results of an Apostolic Visitation - which itself was a result of years of serious problems, including significant liturgical abuses. The former abbot and other monks had already been removed two years ago (see M. Tosatti); the remaining Cistercians will be relocated to different abbeys.

As Atticus mentions below, things are getting kind of weird with stuff coming down from Rome. Sure, these have all been softballs to this point, but let's be honest. Pope Benedict has taken down something like 3 bishops this year. Now, he's suppressed a whole abbey. These aren't minor things.

Two words, Holy Father.

Deus Vult.

1 comment:

Vita said...

This leaves a big question, though. Will tactics such as these have any positive effect on vocations?

I suppose there's no way to truly know, and perhaps that's the wrong question. But it remains a big issue, and I believe it's the biggest issue in the current era.