Letter of Mons. Elchinger to Archbishop Lefebvre
7 January 1980
My Lord and Brother,
We have known one another for a long time, since we studied together in Rome. We have often met since, especially during the Council years. Often we discussed the urgency and the gravity of our task of proclaiming the Gospel.
In Alsace, a land of faith and missions, we are faced, as elsewhere, with the crisis of spirit and conscience that inevitable cultural changes have brought about. In the same way as you, I think, aware of our feebleness and sinfulness we strive, as you know, to live and to defend the values of the Gospel in such a context.
Why, then, do you come to Alsace believing it necessary to form or encourage groups of Christians who you practically render dissidents with regard to the diocesan authorities? You have been the pastor of many dioceses and ought to realize the gravity of what you are doing in opposing the Ordinary of the place.
You confirmed children at Thal in a break with the bishop of the diocese. On 18 November 1979 you inaugurated a place of worship at Colmar, celebrating Mass a few hundred yards from the church where I myself was on a pastoral visit.
Now, no place of worship dependent upon the Roman Catholic Church may be opened in administrative districts subject to the "Concordat" without the consent of the diocesan bishop and the permission of the authorities. By failing to obey this legislation – well known to your lawyers – do you really want to put yourself forward as no longer belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and, by virtue of this fact, to form with your faithful a group legally equivalent to a mere sect?
What a contradiction, Brother mine, with the steps that you have taken in Rome since the accession of His Holiness Pope John Paul II!
I would like you not to put the pastor of the Church in Alsace under the unhappy obligation of openly opposing you. Why do you, who were an ardent missionary in Africa and whom so many Alsatians know, wish now to introduce new divisions amongst the Christians of Alsace?
In the name of the bonds of friendship and trust that have bound us for many years I beg you, My Lord, to desist from leading astray the faithful for whom the Apostolic See has entrusted me with pastoral responsibility. There are other wars to wage so that the Gospel may be heard by the men of today. To do this we must begin by humbly bearing witness to the will of Christ: "May they all be one."
I hope that you will listen to the appeal of one who remains your brother, and that you will be able to take the necessary decisions without delay.
I await your reply.
In communion of prayer and struggle for Church unity,
7 January 1980
My Lord and Brother,
We have known one another for a long time, since we studied together in Rome. We have often met since, especially during the Council years. Often we discussed the urgency and the gravity of our task of proclaiming the Gospel.
In Alsace, a land of faith and missions, we are faced, as elsewhere, with the crisis of spirit and conscience that inevitable cultural changes have brought about. In the same way as you, I think, aware of our feebleness and sinfulness we strive, as you know, to live and to defend the values of the Gospel in such a context.
Why, then, do you come to Alsace believing it necessary to form or encourage groups of Christians who you practically render dissidents with regard to the diocesan authorities? You have been the pastor of many dioceses and ought to realize the gravity of what you are doing in opposing the Ordinary of the place.
You confirmed children at Thal in a break with the bishop of the diocese. On 18 November 1979 you inaugurated a place of worship at Colmar, celebrating Mass a few hundred yards from the church where I myself was on a pastoral visit.
Now, no place of worship dependent upon the Roman Catholic Church may be opened in administrative districts subject to the "Concordat" without the consent of the diocesan bishop and the permission of the authorities. By failing to obey this legislation – well known to your lawyers – do you really want to put yourself forward as no longer belonging to the Roman Catholic Church and, by virtue of this fact, to form with your faithful a group legally equivalent to a mere sect?
What a contradiction, Brother mine, with the steps that you have taken in Rome since the accession of His Holiness Pope John Paul II!
I would like you not to put the pastor of the Church in Alsace under the unhappy obligation of openly opposing you. Why do you, who were an ardent missionary in Africa and whom so many Alsatians know, wish now to introduce new divisions amongst the Christians of Alsace?
In the name of the bonds of friendship and trust that have bound us for many years I beg you, My Lord, to desist from leading astray the faithful for whom the Apostolic See has entrusted me with pastoral responsibility. There are other wars to wage so that the Gospel may be heard by the men of today. To do this we must begin by humbly bearing witness to the will of Christ: "May they all be one."
I hope that you will listen to the appeal of one who remains your brother, and that you will be able to take the necessary decisions without delay.
I await your reply.
In communion of prayer and struggle for Church unity,