A well-known Chicago priest has been sternly reprimanded by Cardinal Blase Cupich after he wrote a letter to the prelate criticizing the decision to prohibit saying Mass facing east and noting how faithful Catholics are “cruelly demoralized” by persecution from Church authorities.
Father Anthony Buś, C.R, of Chicago’s St. Stanislaus Kostka Church, has been seemingly ordered into a 10-day private retreat after earning the rebuke of Cupich who suggested the priest was publicly inciting “animosities or hatred against the Apostolic See or an ordinary,” due to his request to celebrate Mass ad orientem.
The rebuke came after a series of letter between the Archdiocese of Chicago and the priest, who has been described as “one of the hardest working priests in Chicago.”
In light of Cardinal Cupich’s new restrictions on the Mass, Buś initially wrote December 15, 2021 to Chicago’s Auxiliary Bishop Robert Lombardo, asking for permission to continue to say Mass “ad orientem,” in line with the Catholic Church’s “General Instruction of the Roman Missal.”
Such a practice “has transformed my priesthood immensely and has been transformative for those who find here all those wonderful places of encounter with the Lord as written about in Sacred Scripture,” Buś wrote. Fr. Buś has previously defended and explained the practice of celebrating Mass in this manner on the parish website.
His request to continue saying Mass thus was refused by Cupich, and in a second letter dated January 13, Buś clearly stated he would obey the order: “I will comply with his directive that this is forbidden in his Archdiocese.”
The priest, who hosts a popular daily radio show, also critiqued Cupich’s outlawing of Mass ad orientem. “Even so, the Archbishop does not provide evidence that ‘Ad Orientem’ was abrogated at the Second Vatican Council,” Buś wrote.
“As I read Sacrosanctum Concilium and the Roman Missal, the implication is ‘Ad Orientem’ was not abolished or prohibited — on the contrary.”
Buś slated those who had a “glorious time after the Council, taking liberties to ‘change the face of the Church.’”
He referenced the “constant chiding” of Pope Francis toward Catholics who want to “remain in solidarity with our ancestors who heroically and courageously defended the faith in times of persecution,” and how such Catholics are being “cruelly demoralized — thrown into confusion, which is something the Pope admittedly takes joy in, and are purposefully being pushed to the fringe.”
“I don’t mean to be offensive, but my words come from a place of having been offended over and over again for far too long,” Buś lamented. “I speak for many because I listen to many who are away from the faith or trying hard to hold to the faith.”
Following the two letters, which were published on the parish website and elsewhere, Fr. Buś was reportedly summoned to meet with Cupich on January 17, and hours later posted a new letter online that replaced his original. In the new letter, Buś expressed his “deep-felt sorrow” that his January 13 letter was “interpreted by social media as though I was being unjustly critical of, disrespectful to, or lambasting the Holy Father, the Cardinal Archbishop of Chicago or Bishop Lombardo.”
Buś wrote: “As was stated to me, the letter verges on a violation of Canon 1373: ‘A person who publicly incites among subjects, animosities or hatred against the Apostolic See or an ordinary because of some act of power or ecclesiastical ministry or provokes subjects to disobey them is to be punished by an interdict or other just penalties.’”
Wow! Father Anthony Bus, The Chicago priest who wrote to the auxiliary bishop to share with him the pain he felt about not being permitted to offer Mass ad orientem, has been called in and threatened. It seems Card Cupich is interpreting the heartfelt letter as a personal attack. pic.twitter.com/VwCj5lQQFp
— John Stone (@Johnthemadmonk) January 17, 2022
Buś further noted how he had been accused by the Archdiocese of possibly violating Canon 1369, suggesting that he “utters blasphemy, gravely injures good morals, expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church.”
Buś reiterated that he had no intent of violation either aspects of Canon Law, and simply “wrote for love of the Church to whom I’ve given my life. I have always acted for love of God and I have the deepest regard for the Papacy and the Prelates of the Church.”
“As a priest, I am bound to the Lord in service to His Mystical Body,” he added. “As a priest, as with all popes, prelates, priests, and deacons, I am not above challenge.”
Reaffirming his “high regard” for the documents of the Second Vatican Council – which he had originally quoted when defending the practice of Mass ad orientem – Buś does not wish for “any further division in the Church.”
“I do, however, feel the Body of Christ is broken and I felt before Almighty God and the Blessed Virgin Mary, I had acted in a manner to assist in its healing,” he added.
He announced that he will now spend 10 days in retreat to “reflect on my priesthood.”
“I will be praying for all of you and the Church Universal,” Buś closed. “I will always safeguard the peace and tranquility of our worship here at St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish – the people entrusted to my care and whom I love dearly.”
LifeSiteNews contacted the Archdiocese of Chicago for further comment but received no answer.
The faithful priest was defended by Bishop Joseph Strickland of Tyler, Texas, who criticized Fr. Buś’ punishment, and stated he saw “nothing disrespectful” in either the “tone or in his actual words.”
I’ve re-read Fr Bus’s letter and I see nothing disrespectful in his tone or in his actual words. It is a heartfelt cry from a priest who is hurting deeply & speaks for many, many others. He should be comforted rather than being disciplined. https://t.co/qgnel3rXg2
— Bishop J. Strickland (@Bishopoftyler) January 19, 2022
Strickland was echoed by Crisis Magazine as well as Deacon Nick Donnelly, but somewhat predictably attacked by pro-LGBT dissident Jesuit Fr. James Martin.
Thank you, Your Excellency.
Respectfully expressing concern for souls to your superior is never “disobedience” and should be encouraged, not punished. https://t.co/BwThUJnrzp
— Crisis Magazine (@CrisisMag) January 19, 2022
A bishop repeats his praise for a priest in another diocese for challenging his own bishop. https://t.co/411gwQKSpS
— James Martin, SJ (@JamesMartinSJ) January 19, 2022
Full story at LifeSiteNews.
Get ready for further restrictions on the TLM coming April 3. FSSP will probably be required to celebrate Mass in the Novus Ordo at least once on every Sunday. And no territorial parish will be permitted to celebrate the TLM. And bishops will not be able to use Canon 87 as an escape clause anymore.
This is so sad. I’m praying for everybody concerned, especially for Fr. Bus. May this incident do not dampen is his love of Mother Church.
Apparently it wasn’t the letters to the bishops which were the violations, but the words he used to recount the entire affair to the public. You have to admit, it was pretty disrespectful to take them to task in public for simply exercising their ecclesiastical authority. That was the violation, not the letters themselves. He and Strickland and others completely misunderstand the situation.
“He and Strickland and others completely misunderstand the situation.” I think not. He and Strickland called Cupich on the carpet for what they rightly considered an abuse of authority. Bus “utters blasphemy, gravely injures good morals, expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church?” IMO, this can be attributed more to Cupich than to Bus. By persecuting a good priest who is far closer to his flock than the cardinal, Cupich is demoralizing both the priest and his flock when his charge is to upbuild them. One might argue his action was contemptible. There is no foundation for animus toward ad orientem in the Vatican II documents and Cupich knows this. What he finds offensive is to be reminded of this. YFC, when you see Fr. James Martin opposing Bishop Strickland, I really believe you have all you need to know as to where the true virtue lies.
Keep in mind that I did not defend Archbishop Cupich’s original decision to prohibit the direction so called ad orientem. He may well have been wrong in that prohibition, as I’m not clear anywhere else that it is prohibited including the current GIRM or even the papal decrees. However, What everyone seems to misunderstand is that the priest wasn’t punished for asking to celebrate the mass as orientem. He was punished for publicly disparaging the Archbishop for making a decision that was his right to make, right or wrong, and spreading division in so doing.
I also find it distasteful that bishops publicly criticize other bishops personnel decisions in public. Strickland himself recently said that bishops have independent authority granted to them by their office, not as a delegation from Rome. If that is true, then it is certainly true that one bishop has no jurisdiction over other bishops and public criticism so overtly expressed only serves to spur the People of God on their own leaders. This conversation is absolute proof of that.
The Internet is a huge temptation.
You are right, YFC, about Cupich having the right to put the kibosh on Bus. Strickland supported Bus against Cupich saying in effect that Cupich overreacted and being abusive was abusing his office. YFC, when a prelate acts badly, I am glad someone is there to hold him accountable. It is demoralizing to see the iron fist of the Cardinal land upon a head of a dedicated priest, and Stickland’s intervention, such as it was, a sign of hope. for me personally– far from being distasteful. Strickland has no jurisdiction in Chicago, to be sure — but he has a voice, a moral and pastoral contribution, and I am glad it was heard.
There may be more to this. I don’t want to start any rumors but there could be something else going on.
Learn from the Pavone thing.
Dan, have you read the letters?
don’t read them to see if you agree.
Read them to see how this person operates.
Holy Obedience would not have asked for an exception.
Holy Obedience would not say I obey but I object.
Holy Obedience would not take it to the media.
Learn your virtues.
You get grace from obedience not from what direction you stand during Mass.
There is no direction at Mass or anywhere else where you do not face God.
“You get grace from obedience not from what direction you stand during Mass.” Fr. Bus did find grace from the direction he stood during Mass. And I have found grace attending an ad orientem Mass. The symbolism is quite powerful. There was a reason Cardinal Robert Sarah, the “God or nothing” voice, asked all bishops and priests to begin celebrating the Mass ad orientem “wherever possible”, “perhaps” by 27 November 2016, the start of Advent. But you are right, Holy Obedience is required even from the likes of a wicked Cardinal. Padre Pio is a great case in point, and your point stands.
Saying the Novus Ordo Mass ad orientem has nothing to do with the TLM. I am shocked that Cupich would find fault with ad orientem and go further to persecute a priest whose vocation has been revitalized by saying Mass ad orientem. I cannot express my true feelings about Cupich and those of like mind without running afoul of the canons of civility. Suffice it to say I am a huge fan of ad orientem and see it has a first step in deepening the faith of Catholics.
Without knowing the details of the situation of this priest and his bishop, Dan makes a very good point. Ad orientem is the more common way of celebrating Mass. You can read Vatican II’s document on the sacred liturgy for yourself; to see that it did not change the orientation of worship. Archbishop Cordileone often celebrates the Novus Ordo Mass ad orientem, as do several bishops and priests. And, I think almost all of our Eastern Catholic rites celebrate Mass ad orientem (as do all Orthodox Churches). Does anyone ever complain that their bus driver or airline pilot has his or her “back to the people?” Of course not, we’re all facing forward and heading to the same destination.
Anonymous clergyman, neither form of the rite specify orientation of worship.
What was it going to change?
Respectfully, you got hoovered.
I’m open to correction, but don’t understand your point/question. When Sacrosanctum concilium was written, the Mass (every Mass) was ad orientem.
https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html
The orientation of the Ordinary Form/Novus Ordo, as celebrated in most cases today, was not changed by Vatican II, but subsequently. It was presumed to be ad orientem at the time of the Council because that’s the only way it had ever been previously celebrated. I’m not opposed to either orientation, simply making a point about which has a longer history/tradition and is in the vast majority of particular Catholic Churches. (Of the Eastern Catholic Churches, I think the Maronite Catholic Church is the only one to celebrate Mass versus populum and many assert that is due to the influence of the Latin Church on their ancient Liturgy.).
Respectfully, I don’t think that is true. In Churches with free-standing altars and with baldachins (spelling), as St. Peter’s Basilica, and most Roman basilicas, ad oriented was not the practice before Vatican II, at least not the way we think of it. Vatican II did mandate free standing altars, so that the priest could more easily incense the entirety of the altar, thus improving the symbolism of the sacrifice offered thereon.
This is just getting sucked in further.
and I don’t want to get sucked in.
It is absolutely irrelevant what is or isn’t in SC.
It is what they call “smoke and mirrors.”
Come Holy Spirit fill the hearts of Thy faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy Love.
Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created
and Thou shalt renew the face of the earth.
Let us Pray.
O God, who did instruct the hearts of the Apostles by the Light of the Holy Spirit, grant us that, by the gift of the same Spirit, we may be always truly wise. and ever rejoice in His consolation..
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Ament.
My fellow Catholic, The issue here is orientation, not free standing altars. I’m not sure what you mean by ” In Churches with free-standing altars… , as St. Peter’s Basilica, and most Roman basilicas, ad oriented was not the practice before Vatican II, at least not the way we think of it.” I’m not sure what you mean by “the way we think of it.” One is presiding either ad orientem or versus populum, facing liturgical east or facing the congregation. Do you have evidence of numerous licit Masses celebrated versus populum prior to the Council? If so, I’d be interested in learning about them. Thank you. And, I am for free standing altars as well as Mass with either orientation. (But, my personal opinion is nowhere near as important as the teaching of the Church.)
St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, even before the Second Vatican Council, had an unusual design which made it impractical to face the apse (the dome underneath where the altar is located) while celebrating Mass. First, St. Peter’s was built facing West. So, one had to turn to the doors of the church in order to face east. (Which makes Mass said on the main altar versus populum and ad orientem.) Second, in order for the altar to be directly above the tomb of St. Peter, it had to be built free standing and there no room in the front of it to say Mass facing the apse because of the confessio which is an open area above St. Peter’s tomb. However, the congregation in the ancient church would still face the same direction as the priest while he celebrated Mass. In other words, they would be facing east away from the altar. So, even though the priest would be facing the people, the emphasis was still on facing a common direction in prayer. Even today, there are plenty of side altars in these basilicas where Mass can only be celebrated ad orientem
From Diocese of Trenton website
299. The altar should be built apart from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible
General Instruction on the Roman Missal
For sure we have heard it said that many priests and bishops will fall to Satan- this was part of the messages that Our Lady has revealed in the past century. It seems that Cupich, Martin, and their errant flock might be part of them, unless we pray intently.
Father Bus has been left wounded and reeling from the slings of another Judas within our Church. May Fr. Bus be comforted in knowing that we faithful will pray for him to somehow find the courage to withstand such a betrayal. We need him. God needs him.
And now we learned from Kyle Seraphin that the FBI has been targeting Catholics who prefer the TLM as “terrorists” and white supremacy, Lifesite News has the article, we all knew for awhile they would be coming for us soon enough.
This report was not about Catholics who attend the Latin Mass.
The commissars in charge of the revolution tolerate No dissent. The velvet glove has come off.
Unfortunately for the good padre, in spite of his holy intentions, the revolutionary document he references (Vatican 2) is the major source of the oppression, and never the solution.
What happened to the thumbs again?
It would be better for your soul if you just removed the thumb icons rather than be dishonest.
Look at these comments. He has contributed to harming souls.
Who??
Bus.
Here is the situation on this website. It will different on others.
McElroy’s essay only misled one person.
This has misled and caused sin in 10 people, including myself.
Grumbling, which is a sin, harms souls.
How did anyone but the bishops see the letters?
What he has done is really wrong.
And having a retreat with Jesus really is not a punishment
I he sees the necessity for holiness in a priest and how a lack of holiness spreads.
They stood amid the snowcapped peaks of the French Alps last summer and exchanged gold bands, a private ceremony that marked a secret relationship two decades old. Before leaving, they knelt down and prayed that God would bless their relationship and also their chosen careers. He is a Roman Catholic priest, and she is a nun.
“Spiritually, I feel like I’m married,” explains Father Michael, in his early 50s, a priest for 27 years and the pastor of a parish in a Midwestern city. “It’s too bad I can’t pronounce it to the world.”
The pair’s hidden life resembles that of a modern professional couple. He has instructed his church staff that he always takes phone calls from her, even if he’s in a meeting. They spend their vacations together, traveling recently to Europe with his parents, who don’t ask any questions (“They consider her a daughter,” he says). On Catholic holy days, she makes the two-hour trip from her religious community to his parish to attend Mass. And, when possible, they enjoy a healthy sex life.
From the story Unfaithful in Mother Jones magazine which estimates at least half of priests are not faithful to their vows of celibacy
This has nothing to do with this article and could be a fabrication.
It is an old story from 1997. It is not fabricated.
I posted it because so many here are so naive.
Immediate support for a priest because he is pro-life or ad orientem or Latin Mass.
You do not really know them.
They could be anything.
Do not put them on a pedestal.
Cardinal Cupich knows this person better than someone who just heard of him this week.
243. Does the fourth commandment oblige us to respect and to obey others besides our parents?
Besides our parents, the fourth commandment obliges us to respect and obey all our lawful superiors.
Let everyone be subject to the higher authorities, for there exists no authority except from God, and those who exist have been appointed by God. Therefore he who resists authority resists the ordinance of God; and they that resist bring on themselves condemnation. (Romans 13:1-2)
Baltimore Catechism
So we Roman Catholics 60 years ago when the traditional Latin mass was the norm we were apparently terrorists and white supremacists Is that correct? Now with clown masses, dancing girls, altar girls, mariachi music, rock, music, drums, guitars, handholding, Kiss of peace , communion in the hand while standing, nuns dancing with incense bowls around a table, giant puppets, These are normal??? Bergoglio has a hand in the FBI targeting TLM Catholics!!!
I have nothing positive to say about Cardinal Blase Cupich.
When I’m in Chicago, I consider myself to be in the Ukrainian Catholic Diocese of Saint Nicholas of Chicago. Not the Roman Archdiocese of Chicago.
Sign seen recently at the Cupich Soup Kitchen: one more cancelled priest; coming right up!
Well, don’t you wanna cancel people?
In a joint statement released Friday, Andrew Smith, a former employee and board member of Priests for Life, and Father Stephen Imbarrato, who served as a member of the organization’s pastoral team, said they have been dismayed by Pavone’s defiant response to being dismissed from the priesthood, as well as allegations first published by the Catholic news outlet The Pillar that he sexually harassed women who worked for Priests for Life.
“It is with this mindset that I now say that for the good of the Church and the pro-life movement, it is necessary that an immediate, impartial, and independent investigation take place into the recent allegations against Frank Pavone,” Smith, who worked for Priests for Life from 2000 to 2004 and served on its board from 2014 to 2021, said in his statement.
“These allegations go back more than two decades and involve at least 4 women that we know of. They raise very disturbing concerns that cannot be simply covered up or shoved aside,” he said.
Catholic News Agency story
Even so, the Archbishop does not provide evidence that ‘Ad Orientem’ was abrogated at the Second Vatican Council,”
This is the biggest red flag.
Warning Warning Will Robinson.
Correct, it wasn’t abrogated by Vatican II but that is irrelevant. The Archbishop is in charge of regulating liturgy in his diocese. The priest is obligated to follow his Bishop and not to disparage him in public.
Yes.
But…I reposted that sentence as a red flag that something fishy is going on here.
The sentence is from the article.
I was not trying to get someone else sucked into the Vatican II stuff.
You didn’t fall for it.
Good for you.
299. The altar should be built apart from the wall, in such a way that it is possible to walk around it easily and that Mass can be celebrated at it facing the people, which is desirable wherever possible
General Instruction on the Roman Missal
Bishops were supposed to encourage their priests to celebrate facing the people.
It is not forbidden for a priest to celebrate facing with the people in the GIRM.
Cardinal Cupich has forbidden it in his diocese.
The question is: Can a bishop forbid their priests to celebrate facing away from the people?
The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments would be the Vatican congregation to rule on this.
Until answered, the priest should obey his superior.
What is a Catholic to do? Stay faithful to what we know to be “truly right and just”. When we are dismayed by this sort of news we can pray to the Holy Spirit to guide us. That may well be our “last resort” one day…
Holy Spirit instruct us in good. Do not let us support evil thinking it is good.
Too many of us want what we want. This is really a simple issue. Read the Black and Do the Red. The “red” in this case says that the Priest must be able to walk around the altar and that it shouldd not be against the wall. Period, no more discussion, no matter how much we liked those beautiful altar of the past. That was then. The Pope has asked that the TLM not be celebrated. Period, no more discussion. Just because we don’t like something doesn’t mean it isn’t mean it is wrong. Right?
That is not really accurate at all.
Let’s take an example.
You pray the Litany of Christ the King. You experience great graces. You want to share it. You go to your pastor and ask him to pray it at the end of the Mass.
He says no.
Your response should be “Fiat.” But there are people who will turn the pastor (who has done nothing wrong) into the bad guy. And talk him badly.
Then you ask your pastor if you can have a Rosary group that ends with the Litany of Christ the King. He approves the Rosary but says you cannot pray the Litany of Christ the King. It is not approved for public worship.
Your response should be “Fiat”, but some people will turn the Church (who has done nothing wrong) into the bad guy and talk about the Church badly.
“Manipulation always involves dishonesty.” Archbishop Chaput
John 13:16
Amen, Amen, I say to you no slave is greater than his master, nor any messenger greater than the one who sent him.
This headline is true, but very misleading.
Here is what I think: Cdl. Blaise Cupich and Fr. James Martin are two worthless jerks– faithless, waste-of-time, heretical, immoral. Just like Judas Iscariot. Love the excellent, faithful Cdl. Sarah, Bishop Strickland, and our own dear, faithful Archbishop Cordileone– too bad poor Fr. Bus, bless him– couldn’t work for one of them. He is really stuck. Cupich and Martin are busy destroying the work of Christ, every chance they get. Cupich was nasty to Abp. Cordileone about refusing Holy Communion to pro-abort Nancy Pelosi. Worthless.
Follow Christ. Obey Christ.
All Priests celebrate Mass facing the Altar.
Just take a moment to read what is being said. The anger and animosity is palpable.
I have no problem with a Priest celebrating Mass according the to the Council of Trent or Vatican II, the Ambrosian Mass, the Greek Catholic Mass or the Syro-Malabar Rite or any of the others. I know that Priests have celebrated Mass on the hoods of jeeps during war and on the floor in Concentration Camps. The first Mass probably was very different from all of these.
It’s time for our Catholic family to stop bickering and fighting. Of course all families bicker and fight. Most of them stop it when they become adults. Some families continue with the silliness until they are all dead.
It is not anger. It is pity. Some people feel sorry for the priest.
I feel sorry for people who do not understand how the Church works so they get upset and then are easily exploited and manipulated.