Visiting priest Father Joseph Dalimata, FSSP, celebrates the regularly scheduled Latin Mass Jan. 9 at Blessed Sacrament Church in Honolulu. (Photo courtesy of Dann Ebina)
By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Bishop Larry Silva’s instructions for the local application of Pope Francis’ new rules on the use of the pre-Vatican II Latin Mass doesn’t change much of the present practice in Hawaii where 10 priests celebrate it.
The new norms, dated Jan. 9, follow Pope Francis’ July 16 apostolic letter “Traditionis Custodes” instructing diocesan bishops to have more control over who celebrates the “Mass of the 1962 Missal,” also known as the “Tridentine Mass.”
In a two-page “catechetical” letter nearly as long as the 1,200-word “instructions,” Bishop Silva explained how three recent popes had allowed the liturgy as a concession to those who were attached to it, primarily for the sake of unity.
Pope John Paul II permitted it with the local bishop’s permission. Pope Benedict XVI went further, allowing any priest to celebrate the Mass of the 1962 Missal without the need of a bishop’s approval.
Pope Francis’ “Traditionis Custodes” restored the bishop’s authority over who may celebrate the pre-Vatican II Mass.
In promulgating his instructions, Bishop Silva has given formal permission to celebrate the Mass to 10 priests in Hawaii.
They are Father Steve Nguyen, pastor of Blessed Sacrament Parish in Honolulu who is also the bishop’s delegate for “Traditiones Custodes”; Augustinian Father Norlito Concepcion, pastor of St. Pius X Parish in Manoa; Father Elias Escanilla, pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Hawi; and Sacred Hearts Father Richard McNally, pastor of St. Ann Parish, Kaneohe.
Also, Somascan Father John Molina, pastor of Sacred Hearts Parish, Pahoa; Missionaries of Faith Father Chacko Muthoottil, pastor of St. Rita Parish, Haiku; Missionaries of Faith Father Kuriakose Nadooparambil, pastor of Maria Lanakila, Lahaina; Father Mario Palanca, St. Francis Healthcare chaplain; Father Sebastian Soosai, pastor of St. Roch Parish, Kahuku; and Father William Tulua, parochial vicar of St. Catherine Church, Kapaa.
Any other priest who wishes to celebrate Mass in the extraordinary form must receive written permission from the bishop. The bishop must consult with the Vatican before granting permission for any priest ordained after July 16, 2021.
The extraordinary form may be celebrated in only four island churches: Blessed Sacrament Church, Honolulu; Maria Lanakila Church, Lahaina; Sacred Heart Church, Pahoa; and the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on the first Friday of the month only.
The Mass is the only sacrament allowed in the pre-conciliar rite. Other sacraments, such as Confirmation and Holy Orders must follow the approved post-Vatican II liturgy.
In his letter, the bishop explained that the present form of the liturgy emerged from the Second Vatican Council’s defining the church as the People of God.
“The pre-conciliar Mass was very priest-centered, in which the priest did almost everything,” the bishop said. “The post-conciliar Mass, however, involves all of the people, each with his or her proper function.”
“If we believe that all baptized are members of the church, then the liturgy should involve them in full, conscious and active participation,” he said.
“It is to emphasize the true nature of the church as the living Body of Christ, with every member an active part of it, that has motivated Pope Francis to issue these new directives,” Bishop Silva said.
The bishop closed his letter by thanking the priests “who serve the communities where the Mass of the 1962 Missal is still celebrated,” adding, “I pray that all of us will grow in unity in the one Body of Christ.”
