Msg Base:  AREA 5  - ASK FATHER            CIN ECHO   AMDG
  Msg No: 251.  Fri  2-28-92  9:34  (NO KILL)  (MAILED)
    From: Father Mateo
      To: Rose Copenhaver
 Subject: Archbishop Lefevbre

+-
| I work as the Director of Physical Rehabilitation at a small hospital in
| Texas City.  One of our patients attends Queen of Angels Church in
| Dickenson which is run by the followers of Archbishop Lefevbre.  My head
| nurse, who was raised Roman Catholic (as was I) doesn't seem to grasp the
| concept that this church is not the same as the one we attend.
|  
| I spoke with one of the priests from Queen of Angels several months ago
| and found him to be pretty much a heretic.  I am by no means a theological
| scholar, but feel that I could punch all sorts of holes in his teachings.
|  
| My question to you is:  1) how do I explain (simply) that the Lefevbre
| church is not the Roman Catholic Church?  2) is there anything wrong in
| engaging in a dialogue with the religious of this church?
|  
| These questions may seem silly, but my head nurse is really bugging me
| about this.
|  
| Thank you for you time and trouble.
|  
+-[RC=>FM]
 
Dear Rose,
 
Dialogue is always recommended in our efforts to explain, defend, and
share our Faith.  I am grateful to God that you have such interest and
zeal.  To be fruitful, dialogue should always be supported by your own
life of prayer and penance.  I recommend prayer to Our Lord, the Head
of His Mystical Body the Catholic Church; to Our Lady and Mother, the
Queen of all apostles; to St. Joseph, patron of the Church; and to your
own guardian angel and the angels of the people you talk to.  In the
course of the dialogue, often think of God and his Saints and Angels.
Lift your heart to them.  Ask their help and guidance.
 
Father Bede Lackner wrote in 1985 about Archbishop Lefebvre (America,
July 13, 1985, pp. 5-7):
 
"Archbishop Lefebvre (at the Second Vatican Council) refused to sign
 the 'Dogmatic Constitution on the Church', the 'Pastoral Constitution
 Liberty'.  He also opposed ecumenism, episcopal collegiality, the
 reform of the liturgy, the definition on the ministry and life of
 priests, and other conciliar decisions."
 
"Thus not surprisingly, the priests (ordained by) Lefebvre repudiate
 the findings of recent biblical scholarship, the advances made in the
 field of religious liberty, ecumenical toleration and the granting of
 any responsibility to the Catholic laity."
 
"Lefebvre told his seminarians that he would not accept the Roman Order
 of Mass" (mandated by the Council and implemented by Pope Paul VI)."
 
"He was suspended from his episcopal and priestly functions" (and
 received solemn warning by the Pope) (1976)."
 
"He continued his defiance and proclaimed (1976): `Not we are in
 schism, the conciliar church is!'"
 
(Lefebvre's accusations against the Church are:)  "1) a false
 conception of the unity of the Church; 2) democratization and
 collegiality in the government of the Church; 3) a false conception of
 natural rights; 4) errors about the power of the Pope; 5) protestant
 conceptions of the sacrifice of the Mass and of the sacraments; 6) free
 play of heresy through suppression of the Holy Office."
 
He also censures the new Code of Canon Law.
 
When Lefebvre proceeded not only to ordain priests but also to
consecrate bishops, he and his followers were excommunicated.  As far
as I know, he died in excommunication.
 
Persons who knowingly embrace Lefebvre's schism, become members of his
parishes or communities, and receive sacraments therein are in the
state of schism and are no longer Roman Catholics.
 
                                Sincerely in Christ,
 
                                Father Mateo