Once I was a clever boy learning the arts of Oxford... is a quotation from the verses written by Bishop Richard Fleming (c.1385-1431) for his tomb in Lincoln Cathedral. Fleming, the founder of Lincoln College in Oxford, is the subject of my research for a D. Phil., and, like me, a son of the West Riding. I have remarked in the past that I have a deeply meaningful on-going relationship with a dead fifteenth century bishop... it was Fleming who, in effect, enabled me to come to Oxford and to learn its arts, and for that I am immensely grateful.


Wednesday 5 January 2022

Maintaining Monastic Fidelity


The scholarly and informative website Canticum Salomonis has a striking post which reproduces a statement issued on December 21st from the traditional rite monastery of the Benedictines of the Immaculate at Taggia, in north-west Italy. The house was founded from Le Barroux and clearly enjoys the favour of its diocesan Bishop. The statement is a clear and cogent response to Traditionis Custodes and to the recent CDW clarifications. 

The tone is measured but clear, respectful yet unyielding. This is a community that will not abandon its foundation principles but will remain faithful to them. Here is a fine example of the type of response that needs to be made.

I understand from a friend that the Society of St Vincent Ferrer, the traditionalist French Fominicans have issued a similar statement.

The text of the Taggia statement and the comments from the Prior in an interview, can be read at Canticum Salomonis:Statement from the Benedictines of the Immaculate


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