Out With the New, In With the Old — At Last

by Christopher A. Ferrara

        On March 17, 2004 The Arizona Republic reported the happy news that "Latin, the ancient language of the Catholic Church, will be allowed in Diocese of Phoenix churches for the first time in at least 25 years." Yes, the Latin Mass has finally returned to the Diocese of Phoenix after a quarter-century exile during the frigid "springtime of Vatican II."

        As the Arizona Republic notes, the decision was announced by the newly appointed bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. Olmsted, thus "reversing 20 years of diocesan policy …" The only reason this is happening is that the former bishop of Phoenix, Thomas J. O'Brien, is on his way to jail. After dodging prosecution for obstruction of justice in covering up the crimes of homosexual priests, O’Brien tried to dodge a charge of hit-and-run after he mowed down a certain Mr. Reed in his diocesan automobile. The police caught up with him, however, and he was charged with the crime. The indictment forced him, kicking and screaming, to resign his bishopric. The Catholics of Phoenix were free of O’Brien at last.

        After a laughable attempt at a defense during his trial — which included the claim that he did not know how to contact the police except by calling 911 — O’Brien was promptly found guilty, guilty, guilty. At his sentencing hearing, the victims of the bishop’s concealment of homosexual predation called for a stiff sentence, noting O’Brien’s lifelong penchant for covering up criminal activity. A jail sentence is expected, which will make O’Brien the first Catholic bishop in American history to do time. I can think of other American bishops who ought to join him.

        Bishop Olmstead stated that he has granted permission for the traditional Latin Mass "to promote reconciliation with individuals who prefer the service, to comply with Pope John Paul II’s wishes to resume the Latin rite, and to invite back those who left the church after Latin Masses were dropped." Left the Church? Isn’t it really the case that the Catholic Church in Phoenix, under the ruinous direction of O’Brien, left the people? Who was really in communion with eternal Rome? Those who repaired to independent chapels to worship in the traditional way, or the ex-Bishop of Phoenix, who approved liturgies so intolerable — including Confirmation in a sports stadium, complete with hot dogs, soda and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" — that they drove the faithful away?

        Bishop Olmstead should be commended for reversing O’Brien’s insane ban on the Church’s own liturgical tradition. But His Excellency might want to consider the possibility that it was not the faithful Catholics of Phoenix who "left the Church," but the wayward prelate whose new home is likely to be a jail cell.

        NOTE: As this column went to press, Bishop O'Brien escaped a jail sentence and was given probation with 1,000 hours of community service.  His lawyer is now seeking credit for travel time against the 1,000 hours.  O'Brien thus continues a pattern of seeking to avoid the consequences of his actions.