The Franciscans of the Immaculate ordeal not over

And you thought the Franciscans of the Immaculate would now have some peace? Think again:

In a massively lengthy post yesterday, Rorate's Augustinus reports an escalation of "Vatican persecution" of the Franciscans of the Immaculate (FI). Details include:

• Apostolic Commissioner: FI problem is its "crypto-lefebvrian and definitely traditionalist drift"
• Seminary closed: no ordinations for one year
• Ordinands must take unprecedented oath on Novus Ordo
• Ordered "by the Vicar of Christ"

The post includes:

• a Dec. 4th article by La Stampa's best Vaticanist, Marco Tosatti, consisting mainly of a letter from "a member of the laity who is close to the Franciscans of the Immaculate";
• a Dec. 6th article featuring a long response by Fr. Fidenzio Volpi, Capuchin, the Apostolic Commissioner appointed by the Holy See for the FI;
• links to a "harsh" December 8 letter of Fr. Volpi to the FI "announcing further sanctions and measures" against the community;
• an open letter by professor Roberto de Mattei summarising the situation and calling for the removal of Fr. Volpi.

What is particularly puzzling is the accusation of "crypto-lefebvrianism," given that the religious congregation in question continued to celebrate the Novus Ordo in the great majority of its apostolates even as it made use of the provisions of Summorum Pontificum. What does seem clear is that, whatever internecine battles may be occurring within the curia over such matters as these, the opposition such groups as FI are receiving is not simply over their positive reception of the provisions of Summorum Pontificum within them, but as Augustinus suggests, "their increasing attachment to Traditional Catholic theological positions."

[Da Rulz advisory: Rules ##7-9]

[Hat tip to L.S.]

Related:

• "Lepanto Society: We ask for the resignation of Fr. Volpi, commissioner of the Franciscans of the Immaculate" (CFN, December 10, 2013).