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“Justice
couldn’t be strengthened
so force was justified.” (Pascal)
Within
two months and even one (august), Father Laguérie became a pest to be driven
out by all means even legal, happy elder priest he is. This burning summer makes
(us) shudder!
In
the letter of June 28th 2004, Bishop Fellay congratulates warmly Father Laguérie
for his priestly jubilee :
“how not to consider a great grace this fidelity to Our Lord Sovereign Priest
during a quarter century. And what a century! (...). I make a point of being
united with this act of our mother the Church (the Jubilee : NDLR) and of
telling you again that I am glad to share your joy in this beautiful anniversary.”
In
the letter of September 3rd (feast day of Saint Pius X), the same Bishop Fellay
gives the same Father Laguérie notice by way of bailiff to quit
“the city of Bordeaux” before Saturday September 4th at noon
“otherwise, you won’t be considered a part of the Society anymore.” Gosh!
What happened?
At
the beginning of July, whereas he is in the Limousin Region for three days,
Father Laguérie receives half a dozen messages of Father Alain Lorans : “our
superiors, Father de Cacqueray in particular, start to understand and admit some
very serious difficulties in the seminary of Ecône. During the meeting of
school principals, all of the priests, fifteen of them (everyone of them)
expressed this concern. It’s a good time, Father Lorans goes on, your position
is known (sermon in Paris the 4th of July and Mascaret of July) : therefore,
make us a note for the superiors and I will act on my side.”
Father
Laguérie doesn’t believe in it too much, especially regarding the General
House. Actually, May 15th 2003, he wrote a letter of 6 pages to Bishop Fellay
about the situation of the seminary of Ecône, saying very respectfully the
quantitative and qualitative deterioration of the training and the emergency to
find a remedy for it. The answer of Bishop Fellay was very kind (May 30th 2003)
but don’t grant anything ; the analysis of Father Laguérie “doesn’t
correspond to reality.” “I think you go too far in your judgement.”
Sometime during the year, Father Laguérie will have a long interview with
Bishop Fellay on the same subject (and with the same results. Other
fellow-priests will try the same steps without any better success. It means that
Father Laguérie doesn’t really long to mind the matter at the beginning of
July. But Father Lorans’ entreaty, the glimmers of hope coming from Suresnes
(French Society district office in suburban Paris), brutal announcement of three
new dismissals on June 30th (of which two are 5th-year seminarians!) and the
setting aside of two other ones, phone calls and letters from numerous
colleagues and seminarians (impossible to name them... !), the sadness of the
ordinations of 2004 with 3 deacons of whom only one is French from the 15
entries in 1999 etc.
The
21st of July, 35 colleagues and our 4 bishops are mailed the “famous”
statistical report on the seminaries. There is no doubt to anybody that Father
Laguérie is not the author of it but he signs it by adding his Bristol board.
This document entails its limits, some inaccuracies too : there is no question
about it. If it didn’t mean anything, why causing so much alarm then? It
proves, it demonstrates, it shouts towards the superiors that at that rate,
there will be no - or much less - ordination in Ecône, as it’s already the
case in Germany. Nevertheless, the shapes of this document admit and call for a
few remarks.
It
was said and even written (we don’t dare to say by whom) that Father Laguérie
didn’t read this document before signing it! Who could make up such a
ridiculous thing? It’s the first lie of the summer, but it won’t be
the last one unfortunately.
Many
fellow-priests of the district of France, some other and not the least ones
supported Father Laguérie, whether they had the document in hand or not, on
this situation of Ecône, even if the succession of events obliges them to the
biggest discreetness : we understand them.
Good
intentions of Father Laguérie were attested by all of them, from the beginning
by Father de Cacqueray, by Bishop Fellay himself, by many fellow-priests. At the
beginning of August, everybody agrees about this point ; Only the series of
events will make some people invent doubtful prospects like the elections of
2006 or the problem of the Saint-Eloi Church. These “pious” ecclesiastical
digressions affect only but the brains which charitably gave them.
As
for the major accusation, the proceeding, that is to say the sending of a
confidential document to thirty elder fellow-priests supposed to be addressed
only to certain superiors, we come to this point. To those who don’t see any
crisis in Ecône and therefore in the Society in general, it’s obviously
unjustifiable. And we can make a point of understanding them. We don’t warn
the elder priests (and not all the priests or even all the faithful : second
lie of the summer, we will see it) for a peccadillo. But for those who see
the common good of the Society involved in this polemic, the “famous”
proceeding is possible, desirable, necessary. And here is the only true quarrel
of the summer we could have resolved in 8 days as Archbishop Lefebvre or Father
Aulagnier would have done it. We refer the readers of the Mascaret Journal to
the Gospel of Saint Matthew 18.15-16 on fraternal correction. It’s not a
question of sin here but it’s about a graduating in the resolve of a serious
difficulty : a) take him alone : it’s already done. b) take with you some
witnesses : it’s the “famous” document. c) tell that to the Church. This
initiative doesn’t come from Father Laguérie but from Father de Cacqueray by
his public talk about the transfer of Father Laguérie in the Saint-Eloi Church
August 22nd 2004. Though on this point he didn’t say the truth, it was a
punishment dismissal. Before his intervention, the affair is still private
therefore retrievable.
For
those who didn’t understand the stakes of the common good, Father Laguérie
offered a public apology to Bishop Fellay on the proceeding of the document,
willing to preserve the right authority of Bishop Fellay. A first time at Sierre
August 13th 2004, orally. A second time at the end of his letter dated August
26th, a third time in the attempt of reconciliation, with the help of Father de
Cacqueray September 3rd in the morning. None of these offers were taken into
account by Bishop Fellay.
On
the contrary, these offers of Father Laguérie were used as a pretext against
him : “if Father Laguérie agrees to offer an apology, it means he recognizes
that he is wrong.” Not answering simply the excuses of Father Laguérie,
distorting them totally (transfer of the form to the substance) and concluding
simultaneously from his arguments that he is wrong : this proceeding is simply
dishonest. From the end of July, the head of Father Laguérie is programmed and
nothing will be able to stop this ever-seen increase which, from a jubilee elder
priest of July makes an outlaw of September.
For,
it is necessary to say it and write it : the document on seminaries doesn’t
create a scandal, it’s the punishment transfer of Father Laguérie. It’s the
only one which sparked off this crisis at the beginning of August. This
conscious and orchestrated displacement of the Ecône crisis to Bordeaux reveals
the devil’s work. In July, the crisis is in Ecône and there is none in
Bordeaux. In September, there is a grave one in Bordeaux and there is no crisis
in Ecône anymore!
Here
are the facts :
July
28th 2004
: fax of Father Sélégny to Father Laguérie : “Bishop Fellay entrusted me
with transmitting you his wish to see you here in Menzingen next Friday July
30th.” Known by Father Laguérie on the evening, he has 24 hours to travel 680
miles.
He
calls Father Sélégny in the morning of the 29th and lets him know about his
impossibility : alone in the Priory for masses, confessions of Carmelite nuns
the 30th. The secretary seems to understand and offers other dates. Father Laguérie
doesn’t refuse to meet Bishop Fellay, as it will be spread out everywhere, third
lie of the summer. He seeks a solution easier for his ministry, that’s
all. We know that these summonses 1200 miles round-trip two days before the
appointment are parts of the American management. Well, really! Putting off the
date of an appointment is not refusing this interview. The following events will
prove it.
For,
the registered letter with acknowledgement of receipt and special carrier,
received from Bishop Fellay August 2nd by Father Laguérie, is dated the 29th of
July, the very same day of his call to Father Sélégny. Then, two things are
well established, whatever was said everywhere : never Father Laguérie refused
to meet Bishop Fellay. The letter of the punishment transfer was clearly written,
sent and received before they saw each other, without any explanation or a
possibility for an arrangement.
Father
Laguérie is sent to Mexico within 13 days without any assignment or place of
residence, fourth lie of the summer. Father Laguérie will find out only
the13th in Sierre that he became prior in Mexico, motive obviously added on the
way to disguise a penal sanction in an administrative transfer. In fact,
extradition of Father Laguérie had been already decided before the fax of
Father Sélégny in a general Council : it was only a question of notifying the
person concerned, it’s obvious.
Moreover,
suppose that Father Laguérie left everything July 29th to see Bishop Fellay, he
would have heard exactly what the letter means since here are the first words of
it: “Seeing that your concerns prevent you from going easily to Menzingen, I
convey to you in writing what I wanted to communicate to you orally...”
Therefore don’t seek any admonition, warnings, demand for explanation,
information or other precautions for the decision of a so terrible punishment :
there hasn’t been any, there couldn’t be any. It’s the big misfortune of
this summer 2004.
At
least, Father Laguérie mentioned the presence of Father de Jorna, rector of Ecône,
in this general Council. Bishop Fellay acknowledged it in front of him in Sierre
August 13th : “Who told you that!” states that he (Father de Jorna) didn’t
take part in the decision. Alright... But he was there and Father Laguérie was
not. They are not members of it, both of them but why does one attend the
condemnation of the other one in a dispute which is about the seminary?
During
all the month of August, some people will make the faithful and the priests
believe that it’s only about a simple administrative transfer to which Father
Laguérie must obey naturally, as he has always done it, fifth lie of the
summer. The letter of Bishop Fellay (July 29 - August 2nd) is clear enough
about this : “Such a deed (file NDLR) requires not only reprobation but the
atonement and an exemplary sanction too.” People who thought about telling him
to obey even if the punishment was unfair, Father Laguérie answers them that
it’s to obey a transfer and not to an unfair punishment. Form here is
punishment, transfer is the matter... I thank these counselors for willing to
explain an elder disciple of Archbishop Lefebvre that it’s always necessary to
obey and that the chief is always right! And not only Faith allows him to
disobey but the common good too. Founding whatever priory without permission of
the person in charge of the place isn’t a question of Faith... And everybody
knows how our founder used it.
We
know that Father Laguérie appealed towards two authorities against this
decision (ref : judicial note of his colleague). One appeal towards Bishop
Fellay himself, the other one towards a lawyer of the Roman Rota, in care of
appointing the competent court. The first one was systematically refused by
Bishop Fellay. The second one is in progress. But both of them are suspensive
and banditry of the Sainte-Marie Priory, of the Our-Lady-Of-Good-Counsel and of
Sainte-Colombe Chapels are some illegal and strictly inadmissible proceedings,
orchestrated by the district superior of France.
Previously,
considering the rumor which continues to go around and according to which Father
Laguérie doesn’t want to meet Bishop Fellay, himself (Father Laguérie) sends
a fax August 11th for His Excellency to ask him an appointment. Fax the 12th of
Father Sélégny, calling Father Laguérie for August 13th of the summer 2004 (two
days before the 15th, as we know it) in Sierre. 1200 miles round-trip : still
the “famous” management. Father Laguérie leaves with the naive hope of an
agreement. The interview will last 45 minutes. Father Laguérie is called a
“monster” (the letter of August 2nd compared him already to Judas “Amice
quid Fecisti?”). After a statement of the facts, Father Laguérie offers an
apology (on the proceeding) : he is not answered anything. He demands the re-examination
of the files of dismissed seminarians : it’s no. He asks to review the
sanction which will cause fire in Bordeaux and in all France : that’s no. The
only concession : not necessarily in Mexico, but outside... Europe! And 1200
miles for that!
The
report of DICI about the appointment of Sierre deceives simply the readers. Here
takes place a strange episode : the gathering of conciliation in Pointet (close
to Lyon) with the elder priests, accepted in principle by Father Laguérie and
Bishop Fellay. Father Laguérie gave some names that Bishop Fellay accepted :
Father Cottard, Father Ramon Anglés, Father Faure... will this gathering take
place? No, Father de Cacqueray demands that Father Laguérie withdraw all appeal
process beforehand (therefore renounce all his rights). On this point also :
DICI deceives its readers : never Father Laguérie has asked this Council of
elder priests to replace the court he claims for. Nevertheless, for this reason,
Bishop Fellay refuses this simply amicable conciliation. Father Laguérie would
have to renounce all his rights beforehand. Such an action is called (in French)
some blackmail.
From
August 15th to August 22nd, there are epistolary exchanges (ref : file). Nothing
is publicly known yet. But on August 22nd Father de Cacqueray decides to have
things known publicly. The Saint-Eloi Church full to bursting, he reads the
communiqué of Bishop Fellay. With great dignity, without confusion or
co-ordination, one third of the audience withdraws to show its disapproval. At
the end of the mass, Father Héry reads a communiqué of the Saint-Eloi Church
Association which stipulates only that Father Laguérie appealed against this
decision which is therefore suspended. Nothing revolutionary here ; honor to
Father Héry who defends his fellow-priest persecuted for one month. Father de
Cacqueray comes out of the church and after a second reading of the flyer,
protests against a mutiny, without any reason. He settles a true order of terror
in the Priory. The sisters (but to whom do they obey?) refuse to cook for the
priests and to wash their clothes, except for Father de Cacqueray. In possession
of a cellular phone, Sister Marie Lucie so discreet but even more efficient so
far, undertakes a campaign of a universal disparaging of the three mutineers
(it’s necessary to be excommunicated “vitandus” to undergo such reprisals...
Never mind that, from the beginning of the summer, we don’t mince our words in
Canon Law).
From
August 23rd to August 29th, it will be punchy. The Duvergers, on the order of
the French district, have all the locks of the Sainte-Colombe Church broken and
have this church kept by some watchmen, seconded by a dog. Mr de Lapasse,
without even asking the advice of the Administrative Council of the Saint Pius X
Association of Guyenne and Gascogne,
does the same thing at Our-Lady-Of-Good-Counsel Chapel, where the
watchman is there still by now with a mastiff in the trunk of his car that would
be able if it escaped to kill the children of the middle school Pacelli.
From
August 30th to September 4th, it will be terrible and terrifying. In the priory,
Father Radier sent by Suresnes on the (same) place calls the police to drive out
the young people who keep the propriety (Wednesday September 1st). The same day
at noon, Father Pierre Duverger arrives (against all law because of the
suspensive appeal) flanked by a bailiff
holding a paper with the heading of Mister Anne-Claude Roissard (her
again and always : now she thinks she is a district attorney!)
The
worst is not reached yet. All the day Father de Cacqueray calls Father Laguérie
for the withdrawal of the young people. At about 5:00 PM, he notifies him of
this order. Father Laguérie demands the word of the superior in order to avoid
the forcing of the Priory locks the third time by Father Duverger or some other
people. The word given, Father Laguérie, more naive than his fellow-priest,
orders Father Héry to withdraw the young ones. Suspecting danger, Father Héry
keeps them in. Half an hour goes on when a commando of five private watchmen
arrives, still mandated by Mister Roissard and who pretend to change the lock of
Father Radier’s bedroom (lie...). In fact, out of the five men, there are two
locksmiths, both from the company TOP SECURITE. It was the final blow to expel
us from the Priory. The due respect to priesthood forbids us any other comment.
And
the first and last negotiations will start in this situation (total length : 16
hours including night, from 5:00 pm to 9:00 am). Thursday in the evening (September
2nd), Father de Cacqueray, tired and grieved - we understand him - entreats
Father Laguérie to find one or several solutions and to submit them directly to
Bishop Fellay. Father Laguérie works until midnight with his two fellow-priests
(both Father Héry and Father Guelfucci) on two proposals. Was it to call Bishop
Fellay at that time? Father Laguérie will be reproached it. This very night,
Father Pierre Duverger will break into the Priory by a fence of the propriety
and a window of the Priory. He will be politely driven out of the Priory in the
afternoon by the superintendent of downtown-Bordeaux. Nevertheless at 8:30 am,
Father Laguérie calls Father de Cacqueray, and conveys him the two proposals
drafted during the night. Father de Cacqueray, without any hope, transmits it to
Bishop Fellay. The reply phone call rings already the end of this negotiation
barely started. Father de Cacqueray gives notice at 10:00 am of the fax
expelling Father Laguérie from the Society.
The
fax comes up (September 3rd Saint Pius X). If Father Laguérie is still in
Bordeaux SIC even at some friends’, in a restaurant, in a square saying his
breviary, at noon he won’t be “considered a part of the Society anymore.”
By now, Father Laguérie hasn’t been expelled from the Society. Anyhow, this
ultimate punishment wouldn’t be more valid than the other ones, because of the
invalidity of the previous ones. Father Laguérie is and stays a member of the
Society that he has been serving for 25 years. Even if this terrible summer lets
everybody know that it’s an illegal and arbitrary area. It’s necessary to
love the works of Archbishop Lefebvre as we love the Church in spite of the
limits of its authorities.
Abbé
Philippe Laguérie
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