AN ANGLICAN REQUIEM MASS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5418, 1 May 1929, Page 2

AN ANGLICAN REQUIEM MASS.

Sir, —In your issue preceding Anzac Day I was amazed to observe a notice under the local Anglican Church services to the effect that at 10.30 a.m. on April 25 a “Requiem Mass” would be, I presume, “attempted” by the local vicar. It is a “question” whether’ a gratuitous “insult” or “compliment” has been offered to the reverend gentleman’s Congregation and the members of the Catholic Church, in view of the fact that Article XXXI. of the Anglican Communion declares the Mass “a blasphemous fable and a dangerous deceit.” If Anglicanism stands for the principles of the so-called Reformation, then, obviously, the local vicar is “coming round.” If it does not, then by all means join the Catholic Church once more ; but no matter what one’s form of faith, let one refrain, in common decency, from using terms which can mean only pain to fellow-citizens who regard the Holy Mass as the very central act of worship of their faith. To Catholics, as Austin Birrell, who was not a Catholic, said, “it is the Mass that matters.” To others, according to Article XXXI., the Holy Mass is “a blasphemous fable and a dangerous deceit.” It is well to remember also that the Mass belongs to the Catholic Church, and that it is only specially ordained persons who can offer that great act of worship. I look forward to the person responsible for the amazing notice of a “Requiem Mass” in the Anglican Church to justify his anomalous position. JOHN TAYLOR, Parish Priest. St. Mary’s Presbytery, Paeroa, April 30, 1929.