Fr Martin Mary FSSR takes issue with the Mass of Ages report on the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer community in Christchurch New Zealand. There are Religious Orders in New Zealand with their members in jail for abuse; others whose members would be in jail if they were still alive. The recently concluded Royal Commission uncovered shocking historical abuse. Yet none of those Orders has had their communities dismantled and every member exiled. None of them have even had an Apostolic Visitation. In this light the events surrounding our monastery in Christchurch, New Zealand, are somewhat perplexing. You may have seen reports concerning the Sons in the secular media — unspecified insinuations of unauthorized exorcisms and spiritual abuse. In response, the local bishop requested an Apostolic Visitation of our community from Rome. You have probably heard that as a result he has removed the faculties of our priests and issued precepts of expulsion from the diocese — and effectively the country — for every member of our community. You might be surprised to know, therefore, that not a single criminal accusation has been made against us, either by the
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local bishop, the Apostolic Visitation, Rome, or civil authorities. It sounds implausible, I know; there must be something, right? Let me assure you: no substantial accusations have been made – only vague and nebulous claims lacking any meat or bone, sensationalised by an eager press. The report of the Apostolic Visitation states that “[t]he Bishop of Christchurch has put a stop to all unauthorized exorcisms (sic). Some exorcisms performed by FSSR priests in the past may have been approved but others seem not to have been.” May have…seem not to have… Every exorcism performed by our priests was done with full written authorisation of the diocesan Ordinary. This can be easily verified by requesting the paperwork in our possession, which the diocese presumably also holds in its archives. Yet not one question was put to any of our members regarding any kind of accusation. Given the absence of any crime, you may perhaps be wondering what reason the bishop has cited for his penal action? He has, in fact, given two different explanations. From every pulpit in the diocese he let it be known that these unheard-of punishments were the result
of the Apostolic Visitation. Since he initiated the Visitation following the typically sensational, manipulative and untrue television reports, the impression given to the world is that Rome has found us guilty of the things suggested in the media. In the meantime, he informed us that he wished to replace the Latin Mass Chaplaincy staff and no longer needed our services, ordering us to leave the diocese — an extraordinarily severe punishment for a staffing change (and yes, it is illegal). He has never once spoken to us about any of this. Neither before nor after the Visitation has he raised any complaint with us, or asked us for any explanation. It seems reasonably clear that the motive for our punishment may lie in the name of this publication. So much more could be written, but space does not permit. I invite you to visit expulsiondecrees.blogspot.com, where our experiences are recorded in greater detail. The last years have been amongst the most difficult of our lives, and the situation does not seem likely to improve. We would very much appreciate your prayers.
SPRING 2025
