Former Townsville Bishop's admissions on liturgy practices

Bishop Raymond Benjamin

Contents - Apr 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: 'If Christ is not risen, then your faith is in vain' - Peter Westmore John Paul II Institute for Marriage and Family to open in July 2001 - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Former Townsville Bishop's admissions on liturgy practices - Bishop Raymond Benjamin Is Townsville the model for Ballarat's priest shortage? - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop Curtiss on implementing the theology 'mandatum' - Archbishop Elden Curtiss US parishioners more outspoken about church "renovations" - Zenit News Service Thomas More Centre Summer School 2001: "Building a Culture of Life" - Michael Daniel How to avoid banal, superficial liturgies - Bishop Kevin Manning Rights of unborn are inalienable - Archbishop Barry J. Hickey Tanzania's Father Winfried makes return visit to Australia - Martin Sheehan Letters: Melbourne RE texts (letter) - Barbara Chigwidden Letters: Sponsorship (letter) - Barry O'Brien Letters: Legal action (letter) - Chris Joseph Letters: Inaccuracy (letter) - Fr Michael Kalka PP Letters: Ambiguities (letter) - Valentine Gallagher Letters: ACU Syllabus (letter) - John Kelly Letters: Stations of the Cross (letter) - Charles Bignold Letters: Good responses (letter) - Hyacinth Morel Letters: Dress code (letter) - Raymond de Souza Review Article: A 'silly book' from ACU professor of theology - Frank Mobbs Books: Keeping The Faith: Making a Difference by Wilson D. Miscamble - Michael Daniel (reviewer) JESUS - Jubilee Edition Video - Johanna O'Farrell (reviewer) Books: 'Contraception: The Hidden Truth' by Christine de Stoop - Katie Forster (reviewer) Books: The Apostles' Creed, Defend the Faith and other apologetics topics - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: 'The Atonement Child' by Francine Rivers - Mary-Jane Donnellan (reviewer) Books: The Seven Cities of the Apocalypse, by Roland J. Worth - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Reflection: Giving witness to the Gospel of Life - Rebecca van Rensburg

The following is the text of a circular letter from the Apostolic Administrator and former Bishop of Townsville, Most Rev Raymond Benjamin, to "All Parish Clergy, Pastoral Leaders and Associates", dated 14 February 2001.

As a consequence of my relinquished authority on 27 March, certain permissions and faculties granted by me at different times will cease, and revive if and when Bishop Michael Putney so decides.

The main such faculty that comes to mind is for local Priests to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation in the Bishop's absence. This would have to be re-negotiated with Bishop Putney as a matter of urgency if such celebrations are already planned.

There are other liturgical practices which I have come to tolerate for pastoral reasons, but which he should not be faced with unexpectedly. For example: substituting Mass readings with non-scriptural texts; the use of unapproved Eucharistic Prayers on certain occasions, etc. ... Some of our long-accepted customs regarding lay ministers of the Eucharist, and very "relaxed" presence at Mass during Priests' retreats and such occasions will need to be continued with sensitivity ... You may also need to have discussions with [Bishop Putney] regarding the order of the Sacraments of Initiation ...

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 3 (April 2001), p. 6