Old Roman Catholic News Service is now Il Nunzio Romano

The Patriarchal Office of Communications has authorised the changed of the name of the Old Roman Catholic News Service to Il Nunzio Romano. It continues to serve as the principle press office and news service of the Anglican Patriarchate, Stato Pontificio, Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. 

Archfather Responds Regarding the Right to Life

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 29 January 2021 (ORCNS)

Earlier today His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather gave an allocution in response to a recent executive order of the American president. The executive order promoted and sought to provide funding for expansion of abortions around the world. Other Catholic leaders joined in the opposition with similar statements. The complete text of the allocution is as follows:

__________________________

Archpatral Allocution on the Right to Life

regarding Recent Executive Orders

of Joseph Biden acting as

President of the United States

THE current wealth and power of the American Republic, held for what is thus far a relatively brief period in the history of world civilisation, conveys upon it tremendous responsibility in the use of both. It also makes the affairs and decisions of the United States in so many cases the business of the world, for the actions of the American government quite often have impact, even lasting impact on other nations. It is with this in mind that We, whose own nation’s history extends over twelve hundred years and involves the spreading of the saving grace and freedom of the Christian faith to all corners of the world, must and will respond to the grave and troubling orders issued recently by the American president regarding the right to life and funding for abortions, even outside of the United States political borders.

The President referred to abortion access as “…protecting women's health at home and abroad.” No one who professes the Catholic faith may in any way consider this to be legitimate, for the scourge of abortion is in no way a simple matter of healthcare. The president by that order apparently seeks to provide massive amounts of United States federal funding to organisations that provide abortions around the world. US citizens and others resident in the United States who love Christ, therefore, called by Us to petition government representatives in order to seek this order being stopped, block, or rescinded. Such is the duty of all who love Christ, for, while the First and Great Commandment is that we love the Lord our God with all our heart, all our mind, and all our spirit, the Second Great Commandment is that we love our neighbour as ourselves. It is that very love and those two commandments, from which all other commandments derive, that we see in the form of Christ pendant upon the Cross. How, then, can the Christian faithful turn a blind eye not only to the United States governmental endorsement of the wholesale murder of over one million children every year, so many of them from among the impoverished and ethnic minorities, but also to the current United States government effort to expand the work of both domestic and global murder factories?

We cannot call ourselves Christians if we profess to believe, but leave those beliefs with in the four walls of the church as we leave Sunday to go out in the world. Rather, we are all called to take that faith, flowing from the altar of God, the very Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross in which we participate during the mass, out into the world. God calls upon us to live our faith in our daily lives, in the workplace, and in our political participation. Filled with the fire of Christ, do not let your voice be silenced by anyone when you are speaking the truth of Christ.

As we fast approach the Lenten season, let us all around the world to dedicate ourselves spiritual acts against the persecutors of the church, that all may be called to repentance and reconciliation with Christ and His Holy Church.

Canonisation of Pope Saint Pius XII by Anglican Patriarchate

By Jean DuBois

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 28 January 2021 (ORCNS) 

Earlier this week, on Sunday 24 January, His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather solemnly declared and defined Pope Pius XII as a confessor saint within and pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Anglican Patriarchate, the New Roman Communion, and the Stato Pontificio. The canonisation was defined in a Patriarchal Bull Nulla Dubitatio and formally proclaimed following the mass on Sunday. Quoting from the bull, "With the help and grace of God, [Pope Saint Pius XII] used his diplomatic skills to prevent giving the vile Nazi regime the excuse they needed to invade the Vatican City-State and to persecute and murder even more Catholics. Over two million Catholics died at the hands of the Nazis and the Holocaust. Yet while Pius was engaging in diplomacy, he and his network were working tirelessly and at great risk to save countless people, Catholics, Jews, escaped soldiers, and others." 

The overall efforts seeking canonisation for St. Pius XII already found a potential miracle. The Patriarchate believes this to be true. However, the act of canonisation was made by scientia certa, and thus a proven miracle was not needed. Canonisation is a solemn declaration by the church that She believes the person to be in heaven. Within the jurisdiction of the Anglican Patriarchate and New Roman Communion, the supreme authority for canonisation rests with the Archfather as successor to Pope Leo X and the temporal successor to St. Peter the Apostle.

Pope Saint Pius XII was born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli in a family of the so-called "Black Nobility," i.e., Italian nobility with strong ties to the papacy. His brother, Francesco Pacelli, was a lay canon lawyer who advised Pope Pius XI and helped to negotiate the Lateran Treaty with Benito Mussolini which, in 1929, established the sovereignty of the Vatican City-State that had been lost by the Savoy Kingdom of Italy's invasion of Rome. 

St. Pius XII was raised in the centre of Rome, attending school at the convent of the French Sisters of Divine Providence in the Piazza Fiammetta and worshiping at the famous Chiesa Nuova, where he served as an altar boy. He studied theology at the Almo Collegio Capranica and also studied at the Pontifical Gregorian University, the Pontifical Roman Athenaeum S. Apollinare, and the University of Rome (La Sapienza). He earned a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree. 

Pope St. Pius XII was ordained to the priesthood on Easter Sunday 1899 alone in a private chapel. His clerical career involved significant academic work and long stretches in the administration of the church government and church diplomacy. As the Papal Nuncio ( ambassador) to Bavaria, he was effectively the papal representative to the entire German Empire for the latter part of the Great War. Thereafter, he was appointed as the Apostolic Nuncio all Germany during the new Republic that followed the Great War. He played a major role in denouncing the rising Nazi ideology, describing the Nazis as "false profits with the pride of Lucifer." 

Later as Cardinal Secretary of State, having been elevated to the Secret College as Cardinal-Priest of Santi Giovanni e Paolo on December 16th, 1929, he signed a number of concordats, including the Lateran Treaty. The most controversial was that with the German States, which is in fact still valid and in force to this day. Purpose was to help safeguard the German Catholics as well as protect the sovereignty of the church.

St. Pius XII was crowned pope on 12 March 1939. He chose the name of Pius because his entire life had largely been spent on the popes with that name. It was also especially a sign of respect and gratitude for Pius XI. He removed the Italian monopoly on the Roman Curia and presided over one of the most tumultuous times in Church history, the Second World War. After the War, he invoked Papal Infallibility and defined the dogma of the Assumption of Mary, namely that she "having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory."

Pope Saint Pius XII died on 9 October 1958. His feast day has been set to that same day, with the liturgical rank of Double. The Stephenian Curia expressed a sincere desire that the Roman Pontiff will follow and define Pope Saint Pius XII as a saint for the Roman Communion.

Archfather Remembers Holocaust, Recalls Catholic Victims

By Jean DuBois 

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 27 January 2021 (ORCNS)

Today His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather Rutherford I gave an address in remembrance of the Holocaust during World War II. The vast number of Catholic victims were especially recalled, including heroes like the Polish priest Saint Maximilian Kolbe and the Irish priest Monsignor O’Flaherty. Saint Maximilian took the place of a complete stranger and died in Auschwitz. Monsignor O’Flaherty helped countless Jews, soldiers, and others escape from the Nazis in Rome. His Holiness and Eminence also spoke of the continued anti-Catholic persecution in so-called free and tolerant societies today, calling on civil governments to ensure protection and progress eliminating persecution and intolerance against Catholics. The complete text is below: 

Archpatral Statement on the
Commemoration and Remembrance
of the Holocaust
27 January 2021

On this day annually we commemorate and remember the Holocaust of the mid-20th century. Approximately 2 million Catholics, 3 million Slavs, and 6 million Jews perished at the hands of the Nazis. Indeed, as is so often forgotten, many of our Catholic people, many of those being ethnic Poles, were slaughtered alongside Jews and others deemed to be “undesirable” by the Nazi regime. Many other Catholics, Slavs, and Jews, among others, who were not killed nevertheless suffered imprisonment, torture, and persecution at the hands of that group of malefactors that permeated Europe known as the Gestapo simply for being who they were. As one noteworthy example, the priest Saint Maximilian Kolbe earned the martyr’s crown when, as a prisoner in Auschwitz, he volunteered to take the place of a complete stranger in the death chamber. His canonisation was pro-claimed by another Polish priest who fared better, but still was under the shadow of the Nazis, Pope Saint John Paul II.

The Nazi ideology cast a tremendous shadow over Europe before and during the Second World War. The German people themselves were victims of the mad lunacy that controlled the government, and countless Germans suffered likewise at the hands of the Gestapo. That the Nazi leaders imposed their ideology as policy in the name of the German people was an affront to the true spirit of the German people and an insult to their long and venerable history.

Nazi domination of Eastern Europe was a policy of intended elimination of the majority of the population and enslavement of the rest. In the rest of Europe, domination still resulted in countless deaths that can only morally be deemed murder. Even when it did not involve death, it restricted basic human rights, trampled on human dignity, and imposed fear persecution. Catholics were targeted, for the Catholic faith stood in stark contrast and in defiant opposition to the Nazi regime and ideology. Pope Saint Pius XII (Pius XII was canonised earlier this year within the Anglican Patriarchate and New Roman Communion), contrary to the calumny heaped upon him, not only walked a diplomatic tightrope to avoid giving the Nazis the excuse that they wanted to invade the Vatican City and further persecute Catholics around Europe, but also engaged in many secretive activities to safeguard the lives of count-less people, including Jews, escaped soldiers, and more. The future Pope Saint Paul VI, Monsignor Montini, likewise aided in that ef-fort, as did the Irish priest attached to the Vatican, Monsignor O’Flaherty whose exploits were commemorated in the movie The Scarlet and the Black. Holy Mother the Church risked herself to feed her sheep and save all who found themselves in need of her assistance and protection.

Last year marked the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, yet persecution of various groups of people, including Catholics, persists around the world – even in societies that claim freedom and tolerance. Europe and the United States are no exception. Anti-Catholic rules and regulations exist in the United King-dom. Even in the United States, blatantly anti-Catholic laws are still on the books. While it is easy to say that this is at least not on the same level of what the Nazis did, for we are not being herded together and killed, it is nevertheless the same spirit of intolerance and hatred that leads to the persecution of Catholics in ostensibly tolerant and free societies today. Its form today is often more subtle, though. Whereas the Nazis were brutal, violent, and direct, anti-Catholic persecution today often is very subdued and silent, with exploitation of laws and regulations to deny the rights of Catholics, or simply working quietly behind-the-scenes to ensure that Catholics do not advance if they openly proclaim and live their faith.

We as head of the Stato Pontificio and Anglican Patriarchate call upon, therefore, the civil governments of the world, and in particular of Europe and the Americas to do their part in ensuring an end to anti-Catholic persecution. As so many of the societies right now have initiatives to end racism and intolerance, the Catholic people are so often ignored – especially Catholic minorities. These sorts of double standards should be rooted out and likewise eliminated for the bigotry that they are.

While we work for its end, we nevertheless should offer up any such persecution that we suffer for the benefit of the poor souls in purgatory. It places us in solidarity with those who suffered so much more than most of us have suffered or even can comprehend at the hands of the Nazis. Let us then again pause to reflect and join our-selves across the years with our brethren, our fellow human beings who suffered and died in the Holocaust.

New Motu Proprio "Spiritus Domini" Clarifies Roles of Female Altar Servers

By Jean DuBois 

FIREZNE-NUOVA ROMA 12 January 2021 (ORCNS)

Today the Archfather Rutherford I released a motu proprio entitled Spiritus Domini to correct and clarify the correct Catholic position on female altar servers, lectors, etc.  His Holy Eminence referred to the long and cherished tradition of women in service to the Church, the distinctive merits of both men and women, and the nature of the roles of service in the Sacraments. The complete text is given below. 

_________________________

MOTU PROPRIO 

Spiritus Domini 

RVTHERFORDVS AP. I 

THE spirit of the Lord Christ, Eternal Priest and Supreme King, is great and must permeate all that we do in the Holy Church. Chief within that is the sacred liturgy, of which the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is principal as the true and living Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. The highest care must be taken, and the greatest respect shown. It always is unfortunate when We hear challenges to the Sacred Tradition based on the ever-changing capricious whims of society. The political and social philosophies of the world must be influenced by the Church, not the other way around. To allow the doctrine, discipline, and tradition of the Church to be changed by secular societal philosophy and principles is the heresy of modernism. Most recent of these errors most sadly comes from Our Roman confratello, necessitating the need to issue a fraternal correction.

1. The church has always been served, even from the time Christ walked the earth as a man, by faithful women. Contrary to the calumny heaped upon the Church, the church has always honored and respected women, chief of which is the Blessed Virgin Mary. Women have served in many venerable and worthy capacities in the Church throughout her history.

2. Service at the altar is a privilege, not a right, for anyone, whether male or female.

3. Service at the altar during the holy mass is an extension of the priestly ministry, which our Lord established as strictly able to be exercised by ordained male persons. We do not possess the authority to change this, and neither does our Roman confratello, for We are both guardians and custodians of the sacred deposit of the Faith and tradition.

4. Thus the participation as altar servers must be limited to males duly authorised by competent ecclesiastical authority, preferably clerics when available. Properly-disposed females may be permitted, with approval of appropriate episcopal authority, on a limited basis as altar servers only if there is extreme need and no eligible males are available. This, however, is rarely necessary, as provisions exist for a priest to serve his own mas quite easily. Therefore, this option should only in the most extreme cases be exercised. It is further noted that this usage may reasonably be considered an extension of the duties of a sacristan, a function to which a female may be appointed, with historical examples thereof.

5. At no time during the holy mass should lay so-called "Eucharistic ministers" be employed for the distribution of Holy Communion.

6. The other functions during the mass, such as Lector have no justification to be appointed to anyone other than those provided for in the rubrics of the mass. The Order of Lector is among the minor Holy Orders and therefore likewise is restricted to males. Those direct functions within the mass such as reading of the lessons are exclusively clerical in nature and therefore necessarily restricted to males.

7. It is further noted that the office of Deaconess, a venerable office held by women from the time of the early church, is completely distinct from the Holy Order of Deacons. That is, a Deaconess is not a cleric and is not ordained.

8. God has established special distinctness between males and females as part of His holy plan. These distinctions should be honoured and venerated.

Datum Florentiae Novae Romae apud S. Stefani sub sigillo Diaconis die XII mensis Januarii A.D. MMXXI.

Ego Archipater R.

Political Distress: Archfather Urges Peace after American Political Turmoil

FIRENZE-NUOVA ROMA 10 January 2021 (ORCNS)

His Holiness and Eminence the Archfather Rutherford I gave the following statement on political turmoil in the wake of the U.S. Presidential Election on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. In the statement, His Holiness and Eminence argued against violence and revolution, instead admonishing the clergy and faithful to focus on the Catholic faith and serve as a light in a world of darkness. 

CARISSIMI: For the last several months, the world has watched with concern and anticipation regarding the out come of the United States presidential election. That has now been settled, though conflict, consternation, concern, and division still remain. In the Epistle lesson from the mass today on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, St. Paul reminds us to “let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing grace in your hearts to God. All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the father by Jesus Christ our Lord.”

We must, therefore, advise and admonish the clergy and faithful that the Christian people serve God above all other things, and consequently we must put our focus on that eternal mission rather than on the fleeting politics of any particular country. There are several things in particular that We wish to specify:

1. Pray the Rosary for peace and the establishment of the Laws of Christ on earth. The rosary is, next to the Holy Mass, the most powerful weapon on earth.

2. Rather than being fearful, direct your focus and energy into putting the faith into action, serving God, learning and growing in the faith, and helping others.

3. Make your main identity that of being a Catholic, not any particular political party in any particular country, for all nations and politics of this earth are fleeting.

4. Avoid ad hominem attacks against others, instead remaining charitable and focusing on the various and specific issues. It is the desire of Christ that all be reconciled with Him, for we are all part of the Body of Christ. Let us not condemn, therefore, where Christ wishes reconciliation.

5. Let all politically-oriented discussion or criticism be purely and entirely made from the standpoint of absolutely nothing but the Doctrine of the Faith of Christ. As Catholics we are bound to do this.

6. Focus primarily on the main issues of the Catholic social doctrine, the chief of which is the right to life. Regardless of the party that is in power at any given time, a nation that permits or endorses the wholesale murder of unborn children and does not respect human dignity cannot claim to be for the people and is in desperate need of Christ. Be a witness to the light of Christ in such a land.

7. Do not support or participate in revolution or insurrection, but rather be an instrument of peace. History shows that revolutions and insurrections always fall short of their promises, rarely if ever leading to positive change. Indeed, although that great Doctor of the Church St. Thomas Aquinas clearly stated that Catholics have a right to self defence and also a right and duty to disobedience against unjust authority, i.e., authority not consistent with the laws of God, the saintly doctor also made it clear that the seizing of power through violent usurpation does not constitute legitimate government or authority.

Therefore, We again urge and admonish the clergy and faithful to work towards peace and place their focus on God alone, working to establish the Kingdom of God here on earth. It is only through the grace of God coupled with the labour of mankind that the world may be improved. Any other notion is inconsistent with the Catholic faith. Go, therefore, into the world and serve in the example of Christ with Our blessing, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Editorial: FRIENDS, RONINS, CITIZENS.....

 REICHENBERG 7 January 2021 (ORCNS)

The second of two articles written in response to the events following the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election from an American-oriented perspective

By

H.G.D.H. Daniel Coberly, Prince v. Reichenberg
Prefect-General of the Anglican Patriarchate (See of St. Stephen)

Now is the time for all good people to come to the aid of our country. 

Not by violent anarchy, but through high character and personal example. By support of all that is good in humanity. 

If we want a better country we must expect a better Congress and better citizens. We must change the way we look at things so the things we look at will change. And that includes ourselves and the self-anointed Ronins among us. 

Now is the time to reward and uphold the behaviors we want to see to support that endeavor; the basis of any admirable culture: personal integrity, honesty, unselfish service, moral courage...neighbors helping neighbors. Clearly, the tail is wagging the dog in that regard. 

Now is the time to turn that dog around by supporting the people 

people who make this country great--our teachers, our parents, our elderly, our farmers, our small business owners, our ministers, our first responders, our military, and yes, our police. That's right, now is the time to put on notice the movie stars, pop stars, and sports stars who too often become supernovas that do nothing to advance our culture. 

In a world where everyone can be a "reporter" now is the time to relook the rules of that game in ways that not only protect concepts of free speech, but in ways that also makes those who spread falsehoods about any person, place, or thing, fully accountable. 

In a country where we generously grant tax-exempt status to many corporations and nonprofits, now is the time to expect them to return that investment by tangible evidence of support to their communities and to our nation. 

In a world where many still do not have electricity or adequate food, we can afford to help other nations. But we cannot afford to neglect our own people to the extent our known budgets show. 

There should never be hunger or homeless in America. Period. 

Yes, NOW is the time for Congress to come to the aid of our Country--and for us to come to the aid of our Congress. Not in petty political ways, but by insisting that they agree to disagree and move on to comprise of the common ground. It is their job to get the job of governing done, after all. 

And when they do, we need to support the comprises they make if we are to get our country back on track. 

Yes, Now is the time to part the dark clouds that hang over us to find the silver lining. We can do it if we choose. Unless we do that soon, we have met the enemy and he is us; and he welcomes others like him to pillage and plunder what is left of America. 

The silver lining is indeed there for all who are willing to look to see it: the immediate chance to reboot our nation, by rebooting our politics and to confront our own personal bias. 

Now is the time for all of us, no matter what our race, creed, or color, to to agree upon the greater good and what "right looks like" now and for the future. 

Now, in this new year, at this moment, is the right time and right opportunity to declare and to agree that the politics of the past is the ghost of politics past, and nevermore. 

Now is the time to come to the aid of our country!