Bishop Athanasius Schneider - ITV's "Top Ten" of 2013

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC is in the news at Inside the Vatican Magazine online. He is being honored as one of the "Top Ten" people of 2013.  Here is the opener:

Athanasius Schneider – Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan 

“Preferential option for the poor”: this formula has long been used in the Church, in line with the teachings and commands of Our Lord, to indicate that the Christian faithful should accord preferential treatment to the less advantaged and fortunate sections of society, the marginalized, downtrodden, powerless, defenseless, vulnerable. And who are the “poorest of the poor”? For many people the “poorest of the poor” are the unborn, who due to today’s unChristian widespread legislation in most countries worldwide are increasingly exposed to the dreadful risk of abortion. 

But the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Mary Most Holy in Astana, Kazakhstan, Athanasius Schneider, who is also Secretary General of the local Conference of Catholic Bishops and Chairman of the Liturgical Commission, has a different opinion. “The Eucharistic Jesus, that is Jesus Christ actually, personally and substantially present under the Eucharistic species, in Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, is indeed the most poor, weak and defenseless in the Church,” Schneider says in his latest book Corpus Christi, la Santa Comunione e il rinnovamento della Chiesa (The Body of Christ, Holy Communion and the Renewal of the Church). Therefore, as a fundamental aspect of his pastoral mission, he is pleading the case of a “preferential option for the poorest” in order to restore the proper devotion toward the Eucharist. For this courageous commitment, we honor Bishop Schneider as one of the “Top Ten” people of 2013.

Scheider’s book, published by LEV (the Libreria Editrice Vaticana, the Vatican publishing house) is a passionate plea for the faithful to be aware of the paramount importance of receiving Our Lord with the appropriate preparation, devotion, respect and reverence, and especially kneeling and upon the tongue. This work is a follow-up to Msgr. Schneider’s previous book entitled Dominus Est: riflessioni di un vescovo dell’Asia Centrale sulla sacra comunione (It is the Lord: Reflections of a Bishop of Central Asia on Holy Communion). There Schneider gave arguments in favor of Communion on the tongue and on one’s knees, arguments that are believed to have prompted Benedict XVI to revert to this practice in administering the sacrament after his celebration of the Feast of Corpus Christi in Rome on May 25, 2008. 

Schneider’s basic thesis is that the renewal of the Church cannot be brought about without a profound review of our devotion to the Eucharist, which produces a new momentum and fervor in our sacramental practice….

Continue reading on Bishop Schneider at Inside the Vatican

Bishop Schneider communicates in over a half-dozen languages, which gave him access to more writings on the early Church and the Eucharist.  He is a patristics scholar.

While I love what he teaches about the Eucharist and agree with him on the need for a syllabus to clear up confusion over Vatican II, I have always been intrigued with his meekness.  It is a virtue that is not well understood today where we communicate our likes, dislikes, preferences and other things, often in an "edgy" way.  This is popular today in reporting.  Bishop Scheider can speak to people about delicate subjects (aka "hot-button topics")  in a way that invites reflection, especially among the non-choir members.  Meekness does that.  It tempers anger in the one who is meek and when he presents a controversial subject, that absence of anger allows people to drop their defenses and simply listen.

That is one of the reasons I'm always talking about *how* we communicate and the importance of not divorcing virtue from our online discussions.  Bishop Schneider gets that and I believe, in time, Bishop Schneider will win more hearts with reason as he appeals to intellect of others in a gentle and loving way. Some might still disagree with him after hearing him, but they know they can continue the discussion later because he doesn't proceed with condescension. He is also very patient and knows it takes time to penetrate hearts.  I have seen people reject his arguments one year, only to be quoting him years later on the subject of receiving Communion kneeling and one the tongue.

Pray for his efforts and for all who listen to him.

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Bishop Schneider: Reception of Holy Communion kneeling and on the tongue

There is an extraordinary article by Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan to which I would like to direct your attention. It is on kneeling for Holy Communion and receiving Our Lord on the tongue. Bishop Schneider was ordained a bishop in June of 2006 by Pope Benedict XVI. I recognized the name as soon as I saw the article.

The bishop's article originally appeared in the L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican's newspaper, but it does not appear to be online. However, Cindy Wooden of Catholic News Service has written about it, and I am hoping either Bishop Schneider on his site, or OA on theirs, will provide us with the original article in full.

EDIT 3-10-2008: The full length article is available in my post today, entitled, Historical-Liturgical Note for the Roman Rite on the Eucharist by Bishop Schneider.

In 2005 in a periodical, I recall reading statements made by various bishops at the Eucharistic Synod. Bishop Schneider was at the Synod, and had publicly advocated kneeling for Holy Communion and on the tongue. I scouted for it online and could not find it, so if someone has a link to those statements, please put it in the combox or email me: TeDeumBlog@gmail.com

The L'Osservatore Romano has recently had a change in editor, and as Fr. Z notes, there are some real changes in what kinds of things are being published.

Bishop says Catholics should kneel, receive communion on tongue

By Cindy Wooden
Catholic News Service

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- The reverence and awe of Catholics who truly believe they are receiving Jesus in the Eucharist should lead them to kneel and receive Communion on their tongues, said a bishop writing in the Vatican newspaper.

"If some nonbeliever arrived and observed such an act of adoration perhaps he, too, would 'fall down and worship God, declaring, God is really in your midst,'" wrote Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, quoting from the First Letter to the Corinthians.

In a Jan. 8 article labeled a "historical-liturgical note," Bishop Schneider reviewed the writings of early church theologians about eucharistic reception and said the practice of laypeople receiving Communion on the tongue was the predominant custom by the sixth century.

The article in L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, appeared under the headline, "Like a nursing child in the arms of the one who nourishes him."

Bishop Schneider said that just as a baby opens his mouth to receive nourishment from his mother, so should Catholics open their mouths to receive nourishment from Jesus.

"Christ truly nourishes us with his body and blood in holy Communion and, in the patristic era, it was compared to maternal breastfeeding," he said.

"The awareness of the greatness of the eucharistic mystery is demonstrated in a special way by the manner in which the body of the Lord is distributed and received," the bishop wrote.

In addition to demonstrating true adoration by kneeling, he said, receiving Communion on the tongue also avoids concerns about people receiving the body of Christ with dirty hands or of losing particles of the Eucharist, concerns that make sense if people truly believe in the sacrament.

"Wouldn't it correspond better to the deepest reality and truth about the consecrated bread if even today the faithful would kneel on the ground to receive it, opening their mouths like the prophet receiving the word of God and allowing themselves to be nourished like a child?" Bishop Schneider asked.

In 1969 the Vatican published an instruction allowing bishops to permit the distribution of Communion in the hand. While at papal liturgies most people who receive Communion from the pope receive Communion on the tongue, they also are permitted to reverently receive the Eucharist in the hand.

END

At 46 years of age, I would not be surprised to see this bishop end up with greater responsibilities. His approach to the topic is one that is respectful and inviting, not condescending or disinviting. His tone teaches us how we should dialogue with others. Gentleness is a virtue, and Bishop Schneider exemplifies that gentleness. Spending time in Catholic forums where kneeling vs. standing is discussed, you understand how rapidly the dialogue can escalate with lack of charity on both sides. We learn from his approach, that when our words are guided by love, they carry much more power than all the jabs and digs we can possibly muster.

EDIT 3-9-2008: Newman House Press has been contracted to publish Bishop Scheider's book in English. See a video in this blogpost of Bishop Schneider talking about the book and Communion. In it, he explains the ancient practice of receiving in the hand, but it was much different than how it is received in the hand today. Watch the video to see how.

Go read Bishop says Catholics should kneel, receive communion on tongue at the blog of Fr. Z, where you can read through the lengthy discussion on the topic in the combox.

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Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan

EDIT 7-28-2008: More links have been added at the bottom of the page, including links to extensive photopost coverage from two parishes where Bishop Schneider spent time during his US visit.

His Excellency, Athanasius Schneider, ORC of Karaganda, Kazakhstan held two talks today at Assumption Grotto. There were about 120 people there on a quick count, which is good considering the typical summer drop in attendance with vacations, and high gas prices (we are a commuter parish with some people driving long distances for the experience).

Before I forget, I just want to remind you that Bishop Schneider will be interviewed on Al Kresta's show Monday which airs from 4-6pm EST. There is a "listen live" button so it can be picked up internationally. I'm not sure what time he goes on, but seems to me that it could be 4:30. If you can't listen to it, just pick it up the next day at Ave Maria Radio by clicking on the archives.

FIRST CONFERENCE: Dominus Est
The Bishop's book, Dominus Est, was published by the Vatican's own library in Italian. He wrote an article about the book which appeared in the Vatican newspaper, L'Osservatore Romano, under the title: Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.

I was also just captivated by what he was saying and didn't want to get distracted with writing. The whole history of how Communion was received from the first century on was fascinating. He spoke about various ways Our Lord was received, the conditions for receiving, the postures, and the actions following reception. He had no notes in front of him and it flowed well, though difficult at times to hear.

I am hearing-impaired and struggled somewhat at times to hear him fully during his talk on Dominus Est, so I am not able to offer many notes. If anyone has specifics they want to recall from either conference, feel free to share them in the combox. Please don't make use of "anonymous", but pick a pseudoname instead if you don't want to use your real name.


SECOND CONFERENCE: Catholicism in Kazakhstan
We learned about the history of catholicism in Kazakshtan under the former Soviet Union. I knew things were oppressive, but had no idea. Masses were held secretly in people's homes. Even burial was difficult. The priests were all imprisoned for a long time and the people had no sacraments. Can you imagine? It was so humbling to watch what fellow Catholics went through and turned my thoughts to places like China where such persecution plays itself out all over again. What struck me most was the fervor and resolve of the people to not lose their faith.

The talks were recorded and I'm waiting on word as to whether those will be made available.


NEWMAN HOUSE PRESS: Status of Dominus Est in English
We will get to read his notes when the book is released in English. I have not yet gotten an estimated date. The publisher, Newman House Press. told me that it is about 2/3's translated. Newman House was looking for some donations for the initial publication which is the most costly part of the process. Here is their contact info if you want to ask how you can help get Dominus Est published.


AN UNEXPECTED EXAMINATION OF CONSCIENCE
Was it just me, or did the Bishop's talks prompt an examination of conscience on reverence and ingratitude? I think if confessions had been held after these two talks the lines would have been long. It was in no way humiliating, but very, very humbling. It wasn't condescending, but thought provoking. He gently laid out some history, then made it abundantly clear in several ways, that the Consecrated Host IS the Second Person of the Trinity, Our Lord Jesus Christ, not some piece of bread. It was thought provoking, leading us to ponder our behavior in Church when we are before the Blessed Sacrament, or receiving Communion. I was also impressed when he spoke about his responsibility as bishop to teach the faithful about the Real Presence.

Listening to him, I felt as if I was hearing a bishop's bishop - one whose teachings on this subject will be studied by other bishops. This man, who is a patristics scholar, packs a lot of facts and references into his talks. I've never heard anyone talk about the history of how Communion has been received through the centuries than what Bishop Schneider offered. Dominus Est will probably be worth it's weight in gold for the footnotes and references, as well.

Below are some pics from the second talk in which His Excellecy shared a video with some history on the plight of Catholics in Kazakhstan.

THE BISHOP'S RING: IT'S THE MIRACULOUS MEDAL
His Excellency permitted me to take one final photograph - of his bishop's ring. I wish the details were clearer, but it is unmistakeably the Miraculous Medal. He humbly permitted people to kiss his ring, which caught me off guard because I have seen some bishops gently pull their hand back. Because of this, I never attempted to kiss the ring of a bishop.

Some feel it is more humble to not let people kiss the ring, but I think the opposite is true. I did not see it prideful on his part at all, but more of an act of humility. He generously offered blessings upon people as they took his hand. One of the sisters observed that by having the Miraculous Medal as a ring, the people are kissing an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary, as well as the ring of an apostolic successor.

Well, that's all I have for now. I am hopeful we will see His Excellency in Detroit again in a year or so. I'll keep my ear to the wire.

MORE POSTS ON BISHOP SCHNEIDER IN METRO DETROIT
There is still time to hear the excellent homily given by Bp Schneider during the EWTN Mass on July 22. It is only up for 14 days from the time of posting so go to my first link below for details on how to find it and download it, even if you can't listen to it right away.

• Bp Schneider on local and national Catholic media...
• Bp Schneider on EWTN (July 22, Mass)
• Initial post about the bishop's visit
• Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights (photos)
• Photopost of Bishop Schneider at Assumption Grotto on July 20th.
• Al Kresta on Bishop Schneider...

Other resources:

• Bishop calls receiving Communion on the tongue more reverent (Catholic News Agency)
• An interview with Bishop Schneider (video)
• The Catholic Church in Kazakhstan
• An unusual ordination in Kazakhstan (Aid to the Church in Need)

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Photos of FSSP Ordinations in Wigratzbad by Bp Athanasius Schneider, ORC

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC of Karaganda, Kazakhstan, and who visited Assumption Grotto last summer is seen here ordaining one of four men in Wigratzbad, Germany. From the photo dates, it appears to have taken place on June 27th, 2009. Click here to go through all of the photos.

Bishop Schneider is widely known now for his excellent book, Dominus Est, which looks at how Communion has been distributed throughout history.

The bishop will be back in metro Detroit this October for the 12th annual Call to Holiness where he will speak on The Sacredness of the Holy Eucharist and the Fathers of the Church. Register soon!

Previous posts on Bishop Schneider on Te Deum Laudamus!

• Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider
• New Prefect of CDW, Cañizares, Favors Communion on the Tongue
• Archbishop of Bologna, Cardinal Caffarra - Decree on Holy Communion (on the Tongue)
• Dr. Alcuin Reid Reviews, "Dominus Est"
• Author of Dominus Est, Bp Athanasius Schneider, to appear on EWTN Wednesday
• Photopost: Bishop Athanasius Schneider (at Assumption Grotto) on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan
• Photopost: Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights
• July 22 EWTN Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider
• Video: Bishop Schneider during Ordinations in Austria (a beautiful example)
• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1
  
  
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Coming Very Soon: Dominus Est in English by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC

I was contacted a few days ago with news that Bishop Schneider's book, Dominus Est, is soon to be available, perhaps within a month's time. Information has been sent to the Grotto giftshop where a decision will be made as to how many to put on pre-order. The book will retail for $8.00.

If you are responsible for bulk orders and want to get in on pre-orders, please contact Fr. Peter Stravinskas directly, ASAP. I believe the order had to be in this week. There may be as much as a 50% discount depending on size of order.

PHOTOS OF BISHOP SCHNEIDER IN DETROIT

You may recall that back in July this year, we were graced at Assumption Grotto in Detroit and nearby Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights, to hear Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC of Karaganda, Kazakhstan speak when he came to the US for about 10 days. During his time in the US, he celebrated Mass on EWTN down in Alabama, and was interviewed there for a program to air later this fall (last I heard), and was interviewed on Ave Maria Radio in Ann Arbor by Al Kresta.

I was grateful to have an opportunity to photographt he bishop while he was in Detroit and in Sterling Heights. Please see the following posts for photos and additional info.

• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1



• Bp Schneider on local and national Catholic media... (the photo at the top of this post is the one shown on the back book cover).



• Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights



• Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan

Below is a photo of the bishop's ring: The Miraculous Medal.

Most photos from Bishop Schneider's 2008 visit to the metro Detroit area can be found on my smugmug page. Bloggers and websites may make reasonable use of the photos if used to promote the work, with a link back to my homepage or preferrably the post from which it was taken. For professional use to promote the book, please contact me at TeDeumBlog@gmail.com for high-resolution versions suitable for print and attribute information.

My smugmug collection:

• Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Assumption Grotto July 2008
• Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts. Cyril & Methodius July 2008
  

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Photostory: Bishop Athanasius Schneider at ICRSS in Rome

Greg Kollmorgen at NLM has a photostory up of Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his recent visit to the ICRSS (Institute of Christ the King) in Rome.

Bishop Schneider, who is the author of the soon to be released, Dominus Est (which has been pre-ordered by the Grotto Gift shop), spent time at Assumption Grotto during his 10 day visit to the US (see links below).

It's also noteworthy to point out that His Excellency was taped for a future session of EWTN Live while he was in. That program will air as shown on the EWTN Live page with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.

Dec. 17 Bp. Athanasius Schneider, ORC.

The Catholic Faith Behind the Iron Curtain

Previous Posts on Bishop Schneider, including photos

• Coming Very Soon: Dominus Est in English by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC


• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1


• Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights


• Bp Schneider on local and national Catholic media...


• Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan

EDIT: I see a note in the combox over at NLM by Fr. Peter Stravinskas of Newman House - the publisher of Dominus Est. Here is what he says:

Good news: Bishop Schneider's book, "Dominus Est," on the distribution of Holy Communion, just rolled off the presses yesterday. The retail price is eight dollars, but a 50% discount is being offered for the first month for orders of five copies or more to the same address (shipping & handling billed accordingly).Orders may be sent to: Newman House Press, 601 Buhler Court, Pine Beach, NJ 08741.An order form and further information may also be obtained by going to: jhcnewman.org; then click on "Newman House Press."

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Bishop Schneider returns to US; discusses reception of Holy Communion {Update 2}

Bishop Athanasius Schneider distributes Holy Communion at Assumption Grotto in 2008

On EWTN this past week was His Excellency, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC - an auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Maria Santissima in Astana, Kazakhstan. Bishop Schneider sat down with Fr. Mitch Pacwa to discuss a topic he has become well known for: Reverence for Our Eucharistic Lord, especially during reception of Holy Communion.

In the first half hour of the video, we hear how his German family ended up in that part of the world and how growing up behind the Iron Curtain affected understanding of the faith, especially the Eucharist. At a time when religious freedom is threatened here in the United States, it is good to see how other Catholics have struggled to practice the faith in the face of government oppression.  It gives us an appreciation of the freedoms we do have, and hopefully a desire to take full advantage of them in living out our Christian lives, and working to protect our liberties.

Bishop Schneider knows many languages. As a patristics scholar, this has given him access to texts that many others would not have.  He used these language skills to understand how Holy Communion was received in the early Church, since it is often brought up in discussions.  For example, people argue that early Christians received Communion in the hand, but His Excellency goes into greater detail on how they received in the hand.  It is very different from how we receive today.  In fact, kneeling and receiving on the tongue is a much simpler process than what occurred in the early Church.  He discusses this, and other things in the interview.

His Excellency spent time at Assumption Grotto in 2008 where I had opportunities to photograph him and converse briefly with him.  In 2009, the opportunities would present themselves again when he spoke at the Call to Holiness conference, an apostolate of which I am now a board member.

Bishop Athanasius Schneider is an interesting subject worth careful study. He is not dynamic, but his passion comes through loud and clear.  Students of virtue, which is hopefully all of us, should observe how he discusses the most sensitive subject of reception of Holy Communion.  This is a man who underwent culture shock when he went to Germany as a teen and witnessed people receiving Communion in the hand.  It crushed him, and his mother wept at the sight of the casual way in which the Eucharist was handled.   He was shielded from this practice in Kazakhstan where Communion was often received infrequently, and in secrecy.

Bishop Schneider is very devoted to Our Lady.
His episcopal ring contains the Miraculous Medal.

How does he discuss the subject?  Bishop Schneider knows people do not have the understanding he does.  When he talks about the issue he does not mock, ridicule, speak condescendingly, or joke at the expense of those who receive Holy Communion in the hand. Some have argued: He can't because he's a bishop, so we will argue this way on his behalf. These people do not understand the bishop, nor the virtues he exemplifies.  He uses his deep knowledge to reason, calmly, and in a way that is inviting for others to listen and learn.  He gives us that knowledge so we may reason calmly with others.

I have never been able to reconcile defending the Eucharist while attempting to verbally beat others into submission on this subject.  What Bishop Schneider gets, that others do not, is that people were born into this practice, and it is all they know. Or, people desiring to be humbly obedient were forcefully pushed into receiving in the hand against their own sensibilities, eventually embracing it unaware that it came into it's own through illicit means.   Reverence for the Eucharist should lead us to be mindful of the dignity of others.  Harsh rhetoric and demands only cause damage and make people defensive against the desired practice.  We would do best to pray for people to be enlightened and be patient as God works on their minds and hearts with what we present.

Some reject these things out of hand, but we must remember that once the seeds have been planted they take time to sprout.  Our job is not to force germination as this is against nature (God gives to all, free will).  We can keep the soil moist, taking care not to let it dry out; and take care to not oversaturate it (sometimes it's best to present things to people, encourage them to pray on it and let them ponder it over time).

Hopefully, more bishops will follow the lead of the Holy Father, who now places a kneeler out for those in his Communion line.  Bishop Schneider mentions in the interview that other bishops have set this practice up in their cathedrals. Here again, a gentle example is being set with some bishops and priests following, but not without catechesis.

If you want to learn more from Bishop Schneider, I suggest getting his little book, Dominus Est – It Is the Lord! Reflections of a Bishop of Central Asia on Holy Communion.  Even if you feel strongly about receiving Communion in the hand, read the book any way. I've not met anyone who didn't walk away feeling closer to Jesus in the Eucharist by learning this man's life story and the struggles Catholics endured to live the faith behind the Iron Curtain.  It can only make you appreciate how easy we can practice our faith here in the United States. In his homily at EWTN on the same day as the interview below, Bishop Schneider spoke on the effects of persecution on people's faith.

I also have a blog which is intended to collect things from, and on, Bishop Schneider, but it is in need of updating.  Many videos and texts have come out since I last updated it.  If you are aware of something that is not in that blog, drop a link in the comment box here.

Bishop Schneider was in New York, as well, during this visit.  People may feel free to drop in links for those events in the comment box here, as well.

UPDATES

Update 1: In this post. Fr. George David Byers discusses how he was traumatized by the changes in the 60's - something I have heard from others who were taught never to touch the Eucharist as had been the case for centuries, only to be told he now had to receive in the hand.

Update 2: Deacon Greg Kandra also has a post on the subject of reception of Holy Communion.  Go read: I've changed my mind; It's time to bring back the altar rail. 

Update 3: Fr. Jay Finelli offers a testimonial from his own parish where he installed an altar rail, then gave people a choice to use it... or not.

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it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
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Full Text of Bishop Schneider's Proposals for a Correct Reading of the Second Vatican Council



Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at the 2009 Call to Holiness Conference in Royal Oak, MI
Photo: Diane M. Korzeniewski, OCDS



Many of you may have seen a partial or full text translation of a magnificent address by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC in which he proposes a syllabus to correct minsinterprations of Vatican II (note that it is not Vatican II he is suggesting condemning, but mistaken interpretations of it).

On January 14th, Italian journalist, Sandro Magister who offers his posts in multiple languages provided a partial translation of that address given by His Excellency in Rome on December 17, 2010 (link will be added at the bottom).  At roughly 7100 words, it was understandable that a full translation was not given and we were grateful for the shorter version Sandro Magister and his translator, Matthew Sherry went through to get us that much. 

In the address, Bishop Schneider proposes a syllabus that would condemn mistaken interpretations of Vatican II.  Those errors  may be obvious to some Catholics, but others continue to propogate that which is truly foreign to the documents of the Second Vatican Council.  It has affected many things: How the Mass is celebrated, how churches are built, sacred music (or lack thereof), and what is taught (or not taught) in catechism. It affects lessons in universities and water cooler discussions. People of every level are impacted from the laity to Cardinals and everyone in between.  

We need to proceed cautiously when judging others about these things. I would like to point out that only God can judge the motives of those who hold errant views.  Many clerics were malformed in earlier years when information was not as readiliy available as it is now. They trusted what they were being taught verbally soon after the Council, and others trusted them.  There was no internet for them to just "look it up" in those days.  Other people are simply misinformed - some because they really do not want to know.  A few may indeed know the truth and are wilfully distorting it to suit their desires.  We, however can only judge someone else's words and actions against objective material and leave the judging of motives to God (ref CCC #2247). 

As I read that truncated version of the address offered by Magister late last week, I wondered about the rest of the address.  I turned to Richard Chonak, who has translated a number of things from German and Italian.  His feedback was very positive soon after he began reading it. It left us all the more curious about the rest. 

As Richard worked on the translation, I worked on reaching Bishop Schneider, whom I know from his visits to Assumption Grotto - for permission to share the translated text with EWTN for the purpose of making it available online.  I wanted the broadest possible exposure for it and felt this was a much more fitting place than launching it on a blog.  Everything fell into place.  I managed to get a bonus: He provided his address on the Church Fathers and the Liturgy from the 2009 Call to Holiness, at which I took the photo at the top of this post.  This I will probably work on getting online within the next few weeks.

If you have read the partial translation (about 3 pages), I would encourage you to read the full translation, which prints nicely from the EWTN site at 13-14 pages.

Bishop Schneider, who has a doctorate in Patristics, lays a good foundation before getting to what is probably the most quoteworthy section.   Reading the first 3/4 gives greater context to what is at the end. In classic fashion, the address is loaded with references to Church documents, Scripture, the Popes and Church Fathers.

There are plans to update the text to include English next to the Latin at the EWTN page. Keep in mind, this was an address given in the presence of other priests, bishops and cardinals and one would expect them to understand the few Latin quotes offered.  You may also find some big words considering the same audience. My advice: Blow the dust off your dictionary.

I am overjoyed to see the enthusiasm on the internet with this address and the many people supportive of Bishop Schneider's proposal.  This was probably the first time that I participated directly in bringing something to the english speaking world online and had to wait several days before I myself could find time to blog it. 

The biggest thanks goes to Richard Chonak for translating the piece, to EWTN for hosting it, and to Bishop Schneider for the work itself and for granting the requested approvals.

It is my hope that people will follow copyright and fair use rules by introducing the address, excerpting parts of it if desired, and then linking directly to source page at EWTN for the full text.  This way, everyone will have the benefit of potential updates and have printing capabilities (blogs do not print well and take half a forrest worth of paper).

I have many photos of Bishop Schneider which I do not mind my fellow bloggers using, provided they are attributed with my name so the origin is known.  News organizations looking to use them in print, contact me for high resolution (see profile for email address).

Go read: Proposals for a Correct Reading of the Second Vatican Council
by Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC

Reference:  A New Syllabus for the 21st Century (Sandro Magister)

Photo collections:

• 2009 Call to Holiness in metro Detroit (photos of Bishop Schneider begin half way through)
• 2008 Visit to Assumption Grotto, Detroit, Michigan
• 2008 Visit to Ss Cyril & Methodius, Sterling Heights MI

More photos can be found in this post of a conference he had at Assumption Grotto in 2008 in which he discussed growing up in Kazakhstan, and the current situation.  It was a most humbling experience.  In the post is also a photo of his Bishop's ring, which is simple, but interesting.

I also have a blog dedicated to the works of Bishop Schneider which will continue to evolve.  It was started soon after he visited Detroit in 2008 and was mainly focused on his book, Dominus Est.  I intend to post about this address there too - hopefully soon.  Go visit: http://bishop-schneider.blogspot.com/

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Saying farewell to the ORC at Grotto; and, words from Bishop Schneider on the "New Gnosticism"

This weekend, Grotto-goers will be bidding farewell to the priests, brothers, and sisters of the Order of the Holy Cross (ORC, not OSC) who have been a part of our lives for more about 20 years.  Land donated to them in Carrollton, Ohio is the place where they will build their permanent residence here in the United States after receiving all approvals.  They have been hard at work (see updates here).  On this, Fr. Perrone wrote in a recent Grotto-News:

"…on Sunday February 15th we will bid farewell to the Order of the Holy Cross with a little reception in the gym following the 9:30 and noon Masses. Please come to express your gratitude to the priests and nuns for their presence and work in our parish over these twenty-some years."

If you want to bid farewell, come this Sunday as most or all of them based in the US will be here.

Bishop Schneider on Battling the New Gnosticism

Bishop Athanasius Schneider was ordained a priest of the ORC and there is something just published this morning I know many readers here will find of interest.

First, a note: Many of the photos you find on the web of Bishop Schneider, especially with the Little Flower in the background, were photographs I took during his 2009 visit to Detroit when spoke at the Call to Holiness Conference.  This morning I got an email from Steve Skojec at the One Peter Five site, alerting me to an article published today at that site by His Excellency.  I appreciate the attribution, the link, and the email notice he provided.

The Editor's Note that accompanies Bishop Schneider's article reads:

"Following his strongly-worded interview with Polonia Christiana in the wake of the first part of the Extraordinary Synod on Marriage and Family, we reached out to Bishop Athanasius Schneider to seek his guidance on concrete actions Catholics can take during this time of turmoil within the Church. We specifically requested his advice on what the faithful could do to resist heterodoxy and address the errors (or at least obfuscations) that seem to be issuing forth from some of the highest prelates in the Church. Though his counsel is brief, it is deeply thoughtful, and offers us a great deal of work to do. With the next meeting of the Synod less than eight months away, there is no time to waste."

Bishop Schneider is a man who knows probably some 10 languages, giving him access to much content - both contemporary and historical.  His PhD is in Patristics.   I find it interesting today that no one questions the hard-hitting boldness with which the Church Fathers spoke, or even Saint Paul for that matter, yet if a bishop today dares to do so, he is vilified and blasted as "rigid." I look at what Bishop Schneider says and I see him cut from the cloth of his namesake, Saint Athanasius.

I've read the article and it is bold, firm, and clear in articulating his thoughts, as usual.  Bishop Schneider doesn't mince words. He says what he thinks, but does not use sarcasm or condescension to get his point across - a key point for anyone wanting others who aren't in the choir to hear the message (whether they can agree or not).

Go read the brief article by His Excellency at One Peter Five: Battling the New Gnosticism.  And, on this feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes, let's ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

---

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- Diane M. Korzeniewski

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Bishop Schneider celebrating a Solemn High Mass in Vienna

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, who has visited Detroit twice since 2008, is seen celebrating a Solemn High Mass at the parish of St. Charles in Vienna on September 13, 2010.  Bishop Schneider, who has a doctorate in patristics, is the author of the book, Dominus Est.  The book looks at the history of how holy Communion has been received and eliminates some common myths.  It also provides an interesting background on the life of His Excellency which helps readers to understand his profound devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.  He received his First Holy Communion in secrecy behind the Iron Curtain.  A look at what he and others have gone through will definitely give you an even greater appreciation for the Eucharist.

More links:

• Dominus Est blog 
• Excerpt from Dominus Est, which was published in L'Osservatore Romano
• Bishop Schneider at Assumption Grotto in 2008 (post 1)
• Bishop Schneider at Assumption Grotto in 2008 (post 2)
• Bishop Schneider at Ss Cyril & Methodius in 2008
• Bishop Schneider at the Call to Holiness Conference in 2009
• Fr. Mitch Pacwa interviews Bishop Schneider on reception of Holy Communion
• Purchase Dominus Est online 

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Video: Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC discusses reception of Holy Communion

Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC, talks about reception of Holy Communion in this EWTN Live segment with Fr. Mitch Pacwa.  I saw this when it aired on EWTN back in late 2008 (it was originally recorded while he was in the US in July of 2008).  He was at my parish for about 10 days, but made short trips to a few locations, including Hanceville, AL for his interview.

You can view the gallery of photos I took duirng his trips to Detroit.  I photographed him in 2008 at my own parish, Assumption Grotto, at Ss Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights, MI, and in 2009 at the Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak during the Call to Holiness.

His Excellency has a profound way of getting the point across about reverence for the Holy Eucharist.  He received his First Holy Communion in secrecy in Kazakhstan, the discusses how shocked he was to learn on his first trip to Germany, that people were receiving the Eucharist in the hand, I think back in the 70's.  Bishop Schneider has a doctorate in Patristics and used his knowledge to dig deep into the subject of reception of Holy Communion going back to early Church, through modern times.  Many believe that his boo, Dominus Est, is what prompted the Holy Father to begin distributing Communion with the use of a kneeler, and on the tongue.  That practice began after an excerpt from Dominus Est ran in L'Osservatore Romano.  The cheapest place I have seen Dominus Est online is here. 

I have many other posts on Bishop Schneider (scroll), covering his visit here in Detroit and picking some news from other sources referencing him or his work.

Bishop Schneider prepares before Mass at Assumptio Grotto where he delivered the homily.

Here Bishop Schneider is in Elevation of the Chalice in an Ordinary Form Mass, celebrated ad orientem at Assumptio Grotto

Such a dignified Elevation of Our Lord in a Mass celebrated versus populum

Bishop Schneider speaks at the National Shrine of the Little Flower with a photo of St. Therese in the background.

The Bishop's ring is very simple:  The Miraculous Medal

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Bp Schneider calls on Pope for document condemning mistaken interpretations of Vatican II



Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC - Auxiliary Bishop of Karaganda, Kazakhstan speaks at the 2009 Call to Holiness Conference in the Detroit area (photo may be used by fellow bloggers with attribution).


Veteran Vatican journalist, Sandro Magister, gives us a partial translation of an address given by Bishop Athanasius Schneider in which he asks the Holy Father to put out a document condemning certain mistaken interpretations of Vatican II (often under the guise of the "Spirit of Vatican II").  This topic is actually in the last half of a greater article worth reading in full.  The first half deals with the Holy Father's meeting announced for Assisi in October. A number of Catholics have voiced concerns that it would be a repeat of 1986 (read Magister's article for specifics on those problems).

Back to Bishop Schneider and his appeal to the Holy Father...  Many things have happened in the name of Vatican II that are not in any of the documents of that council.  Altar rails were jack-hammered out in it's name, and Latin, Gregorian chant, among other things were eliminated when those very documents called for them to have pride of place in the Liturgy.  Several times he refers to the "anthropocentric" turn (people were taught to worship in a more people-centered liturgy than one which is God-centered). Many more things happened or didn't happen due to these "mistaken interpretations". 

He goes outside of the Mass and brings up the emergence of liberation theology in the wake of Vatican II, and offers some other samplings. 

Consider, for a moment, that back in the day, priests and lay people did not have ready access to documents the way we do today, so when bishops told them to do something in the name of Vatican II, they just did it thinking they were doing the right thing.   Today, if a seminary buries documents and books that have the mind of the Church  behind books written by the "magisterium of theologians"  (Richard McBrien, et. al.), seminarians and students can easily find them on the web  (and I wouldn't doubt that a good deal of research starts there).

Bishop Schneider says, in part:

There is the need for a new Syllabus, this time directed not so much against the errors coming from outside of the Church, but against the errors circulated within the Church by supporters of the thesis of discontinuity and rupture, with its doctrinal, liturgical, and pastoral application.


Such a Syllabus should consist of two parts: the part that points out the errors, and the positive part with proposals for clarification, completion, and doctrinal clarification.

Amen!

I think this is a grand idea and one that is long overdue.  Lay people and priest alike have been trained to accept these things as authentic to Vatican II which are foreign to it, and will defend them ad nauseum in parishes, in local papers and websites, and in a myriad of Catholic institutions and diocesan departments. 

In the beginning of his article, Sandro Magister discusses the Holy Father's meeting in Assisi which will take place in October.  There has been quite a dust-up online over the ecumenical meeting because of what happened in 1986. 

Let's pray that the Holy Father responds affirmatively to this request by Bishop Athanasius Schneider.  I've often wondered how long Bishop Schneider will be in Kazakhstan.  His Excellency, who has a PhD in Patristics, is a good co-worker in Truth and has just the right kind of holy boldness we laity like to see in our bishops.

Go read Sandro Magsiter: A New Syllabus for the 21st Century [Italian] [French] [Check for availability of Spanish in the sidebar later]



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New Video of Bishop Schneider on his book, Dominus Est, and an update on the Karaganda cathedral, "Our Lady of Fatima"

Many thanks to Fr. Markus Doppelbauer for sending me the following video clips. Bishop Athanasius Schneider - an auxiliary bishop from Kazakhstan, who speaks many languages, has made the this video available in several of them. I have embedded the English version. Look below for links to the video in other languages...

• Auxiliary bishop Athanasius Schneider on communion in the hand


• Weihbischof Schneider über die Handkommunion


• Bispo Athanasius Schneider no comunhão na mão


• Vescovo ausiliare sulla comunione nella mano

Bishop Schneider visited Assumption Grotto last summer, and will be back again in October of this year, where he will speak at the Call to Holiness conference. Reserve the date, and register early! Fr. Z will also speak at the conference!

If you want to see some of my photoposts from his visit to Assumption Grotto and Sts Cyril & Methodius, read this post and go through the links at the bottom: Bishop Athanasius Schneider on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan

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Bp Schneider on local and national Catholic media...

AUDIO OF HOMILY - GET IT NOW!

I mentioned earlier that Bishop Scheider's homily from the Mass he celebrated on EWTN would soon be available. I found it this evening. It will only be online for about a total of 14 days from the time they uploaded it. If you want to hear it, download it now and you can listen to it or save it for later. His Excellency gave an excellent homily on Mary Magdalene.

One thing I like about this bishop is that his style is very much like Pope Benedict. It is humble and inviting. It is not harsh, but gentle. This manner of preaching does not escalate negativity or anger in humble souls, and is capable of leaving the prideful more humbled. This level of speech is beyond mere style because it is not developed through public speaking classes, but through prayer and grace. It is pure love of Christ and neighbor manifested in a highly virtuous form of speaking.


BISHOP SCHNEIDER INTERVIEW ON AVE MARIA RADIO

I have also learned this evening that Bishop Schneider will be interviewed by Al Kresta on Ave Maria Radio on Monday. Al Kresta's show can be heard on AM 990 locally in southeast Michigan, or on the internet anywhere in the world, starting at 4:00pm EST. Just click "Listen Live".

INTERVIEW ON EWTN

His Excellency was interviewed at EWTN for a forthcoming program, but I am still working on finding out what program and when.

Other posts on Bishop Scneider

• Bishop Schneider to speak at Assumption Grotto July 27th


• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1


• Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider


• Video: Bishop Schneider during Ordinations in Austria (a beautiful example)

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Archbishop of Bologna, Cardinal Caffarra - Decree on Holy Communion (on the Tongue)

Catholic News Agency reported on May 11th that an Italian Archbishop, Carlo Caffarra had suspended Communion in the hand to avoid abuses of the Eucharist.

This unofficial, third-party translation of a decree by Carlo Cardinal Caffarra of Bologna, Italy was just emailed to me. It is dated April 29th, 2009 and it comes less than one year after the release of Dominus Est - a liturgical-historical look at reception of Holy Communion in the Church by Bishop Athanasius Schneider of Kazakhstan.

This translation is rough, but you get the gist of what His Emminence is communicating. The decree, in it's original Italian, can be found on Zenit.

Emphases mine in bold... my notes bracketed in red

Directions about the distribution of the Eucharist

Decree of 27 April 2009

Since the times of its very origins, the apostolic Church has expressed its own faith persuasion that the disciples meet with the risen Christ, experience him in the first day after Saturday listening to the Word of God and its explanation and breaking the Eucharistic bread (see also Le 24, 13-35; Al 20, 7-12). Saint Justin, in his I Apologia, in #67, testifies the further development of this usual procedure.

The preaching of the Apostles, then, illustrated to the faithful the greatness of the Sacrament of the altar and the necessary mood that is necessary to take profitably part in it, without risking to eat and drink one’s own eternal condemnation (see 1 Cor 11, 29), but on the contrary so that eating that bread, Body of Christ given for the life of the world, the ones who believe can have eternal life (see John 6, 51).

Therefore, it is precise duty of the apostle [probably referring to apostolic successors - the bishops] to often exhort the Christians so that they can worthily receive the Body of Christ, shaping their own lives on the image of the One who is received in the Sacrament.

The devotion and the interior veneration with which the faithful approach the Eucharist reveals [perhaps, "is revealed"] also externally in the way they receive the consecrated Bread.

The shepherds’ catechesis must never miss to linger over the way the Eucharist can be approached in order to avoid as much as possible that the Most Holy Sacrament of Eucharist be treated with superficiality or even in a disrespectful way, or even worse, sacrilegious.

We must in fact realize that unfortunately many cases of profanation of the Eucharist have occurred, profiting by the possibility to receive the consecrated Bread on one’s palm of the hand, mostly, but not only, during big celebrations or in big churches attended by a great number of occasional faithful.

For such reason, it is necessary to watch on at the moment of the Holy Communion, sticking to the observance of the common rules that are well known to everybody.

The distribution of the Eucharist be done in a quiet and orderly way, be done first of all by the ordered ministers (priest and deacon); only in their absence, by ministers established with this very goal (acolyte). Only in really exceptional cases make use of other established ministers (lector), of nuns or of well prepared laymen.

During the Holy Communion the altar servers support the minister checking as closely as possible that each faithful, after receiving the consecrated Bread, eats it immediately in front of the minister himself and that for no reason the consecrated Bread be taken to one’s seat or put into one’s pockets, bags or anywhere else, nor fall to the ground and be trampled on. [If you could only see the patens used at Mass and the many crumbs, you would realize that Our Lord is being trampled on every day. A dry Communion Host can easily be put into a pocket. Intinction requires that Communion be received on the tongue].

The Eucharist, in fact, is the most precious gift that the Church preserves, alive presence of Our Risen Lord; all the faithful must feel called to do any possible effort so that This Presence [not the caps] be honoured first of all with one’s life and, then, with the external signs of our worship.

Anyway, taken into account the frequency with which we have been told of disrespectful behaviours in the act of receiving the Eucharist, we order that starting from today in the Metropolitan Church of S. Peter, in the Basilica of S. Petronius and in the Shrine of the Holy Virgin of S. Luke in Bologna the faithful receive the consecrated Bread only from the hand of the minister directly on their tongue.

In addition, we recommend all the priests to admonish the people they are in charge of, of the necessity to be in the grace of God in order to be allowed to receive the Eucharist and of the great respect that is due to the Sacrament of the Altar: through their catechesis, preaching, keen and loving celebration of the Holy Mysteries, educating the faithful to worship the God who made himself a man with their own lives and with the participation, that requires the highest care, even in gestures, of the Lord’s table.

We finally exhort the faithful to do any effort in order that the Eucharist, spring and top of all Christian life, be always more loved and worshipped, recognizing in It the presence itself of the Son of God among us.

Bologna, from the Archbishop Residence, 27 April 2009

Where to get Dominus Est :

Note: I have found some selling this on Amazon.com for as much as $43. This can be purchased for about $7-8 in a few places:

In the US: At Newman House Press, and Opus Angelorum bookstore

In the UK: At Eden

Past posts on Dominus Est and Bishop Scneider, and Communion on the tongue:

• Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider


• New Prefect of CDW, Cañizares, Favors Communion on the Tongue


• Dr. Alcuin Reid Reviews, "Dominus Est"


• Author of Dominus Est, Bp Athanasius Schneider, to appear on EWTN Wednesday


• Photopost: Bishop Athanasius Schneider (at Assumption Grotto) on his book, "Dominus Est" and the Church in Kazakhstan


• Photopost: Bishop Athanasius Schneider, ORC at Sts Cyril & Methodius in Sterling Heights


• July 22 EWTN Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider


• Video: Bishop Schneider during Ordinations in Austria (a beautiful example)


• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1

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Unusual Ordination in Kazakhstan

This is interesting...

ACN News, Thursday, 24rd April 2008 - KAZAKHSTAN

History in the making

Central Asian republic awaits an ordination quite unlike any other

By John Pontifex

CATHOLICS in Kazakhstan are preparing for the ordination of what Church leaders believe is the first priest to come from the country’s native population in modern times.

Up to 80 percent of Catholic priests and most of the faithful in the central Asian republic are foreigners with the rest made up of descendants of immigrants.

As a result, their outreach to the country’s native people is severely hampered but if all goes to plan the situation could change dramatically when on 29th June 25-year-old Ruslan Rakhimberlinov, a teenage convert to Catholicism, is ordained.

In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Ruslan’s bishop, Athanasius Schneider of Karaganda, central Kazakhstan explained: “This is a very historic event – the first ever.”

With his Mongolian physical features as is typical among natives in Kazakhstan, Ruslan is expected to make a big impression in a country where often the Catholic Church is often seen as very foreign.

Bishop Schneider, who will preside at the ordination ceremony, said: “I do not expect there will be an immediate reaction but when the people see him, they will I am sure become accustomed to him.”

For Bishop Schneider, the ordination is hugely important: “The Church has yet to be properly implanted and this is only possible with clergy native to Kazakhstan.”

Today’s Catholic community is made up of descendants of people from Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine, who were deported to Kazakhstan during the Soviet era. Bishop Schneider said that around Karaganda there was a concentration camp and a series of control centres about the size of France.

Hence the wide gulf in society in Kazakhstan.

The soon-to-be Fr Ruslan can expect to find valuable support from three Sisters in a Carmelite convent in Karaganda diocese, who are also native to Kazakhstan.

The bishop explained that in a mainly Muslim country like Kazakhstan, the Church had to be very careful about charges of forcing, or coercing people to convert to Christianity.

“I hope and I am convinced that the Catholic faith will be more widely present in Kazakhstan but we have to proceed with caution. It is something to work on in the future.”

He stressed the shortage of priests in Kazakhstan saying that his top priority was to promote vocations.

Bishop Schneider explained that as a boy Ruslan and his family lived near a convent and over time he and his family developed an interest in Christianity until they all converted. [continue reading at ACN...]

As an aside, Bishop Schneider has been the topic of news in other posts at Te Deum Laudamus!


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July 22 EWTN Mass with Bishop Athanasius Schneider

If you have not seen the EWTN Mass today, to try to catch it at Noon, or Midnight (record it!). These snapshots were just taken using alt-print and cropped in microsoft paint since I have no other means to capture them.

I managed to catch the homily as I headed out the door to work. What a magnificent, humble homily on Mary Magdalene.

He talked about how each of us is called to the vocation of sainthood, pointing out that if Mary Magdalene, who had 7 demons cast out of her could become a saint, then so can we.

He talked more about conversion and about Mary Magdalene's tears of repentance.

His finaly point was that we need to receive Jesus in the same humble way as did Mary Magdalene, falling to our knees before Him.






Related Posts:

• Bishop Schneider to speak at Assumption Grotto July 27th


• Photopost: Bp Athanasius Schneider at Assumption Grotto in Detroit - Week 1


• Historical-Liturgical Notes on the Rite of the Eucharist by Bishop Athanasius Schneider


• Video: Bishop Schneider during Ordinations in Austria (a beautiful example)

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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!