SS. Peter
and Paul Roman Catholic Mission
129 South
Beaver Street
York,
Pennsylvania
717-792-2789
January
12, 2004
Most Reverend Nicholas C. Dattilo,
D. D.
4800 Union Deposit Road
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
Dear Bishop Dattilo,
SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic
Mission has been formally established in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania since
July of 2002 and informally for several years before that. The members of the Saints Peter and Paul
Roman Catholic Mission have joined together to work toward the sanctification
of their souls by restoring to the Diocese of Harrisburg, and by defending the
Ecclesiastical Traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, the patrimony and right
of all Catholics. The primary focus of these efforts are the propagation of the
traditional Roman Rite of the Mass for the holy and acceptable public worship
of God, as codified by Pope St. Pius V, and in the providing of sound
traditional catechetical instructions for the purpose of promoting the greater
glory of God and to obtain the conversion of souls to the Catholic Church,
"outside of which there is no salvation". The members observe holy
Catholic obedience to our Holy Father, the Pope of Rome and his delegated
representative, the local ordinary of the Diocese of Harrisburg, in all things
that are not contrary to, or could in any way impede, the restoration and
defense of the immemorial traditions of the Catholic Church.
The Members, in following the
exhortation of Pope St. Pius X to "restore all things in Christ",
bound together in acts of prayer and penance, will engage in any form of
Catholic Action that is related to the divine mission of the Church in
extending the Kingdom of God to everyone: individuals, families and
society. So help us God.
In
pursuit of this noble and holy purpose we have purchased a church centrally
located in the historical district of York. We would like to offer you, as the
local ordinary, the opportunity to consecrate this Catholic Mission. You would be expected to do so in absolute
accordance with the traditions of the Roman Rite. It was St. Ambrose who said, “Whatever church you may come to,
conform to its custom, if you would avoid either receiving or giving
offense.” I can promise you, if this
request is accepted, every effort will be extended to show the proper respect
due to your office.
For your information, I have
enclosed a copy of the article, The Vatican II Renewal: Myth or Reality by
Mr. Kenneth C. Jones that was recently published in The Latin Mass
magazine. Mr. Jones is the author of
the book, Index of Leading Catholic Indicators, which is a simple
statistical evaluation of the Catholic Church since Vatican II. The article addresses some of these
statistics and their unavoidable inferences.
As you can see, by any objective measurable criteria, your Novus Ordo
Church is a dead or dying institution.
Your contribution to this desolation is evidenced in your having closed
approximately thirty parishes in this diocese.
We at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Mission are offering you an
opportunity to have a part in the restoration of the Catholic Church in the
Diocese of Harrisburg by your participation in this holy act of consecrating a
new Catholic Mission.
You need not be concerned that
this holy mission will entail any burden whatsoever upon the Diocese of
Harrisburg. We are a financially sound
operation and provide from our own funds for the care of all the priests that
serve our Mission. Furthermore, all the
priests that serve our Mission are properly ordained Roman Catholic priests
under no canonical censure. They fearlessly
preach and defend exclusively the Catholic Faith and morals without compromise
as taught by the immemorial Magisterium of the Catholic Church. Our priests who serve this Mission
ruthlessly condemn modernism in all its various shades and manifestations.
We respectfully request a reply
within ten days. If we do not hear from
you, we will assume that you have no interest in this matter, and we will go
about this holy endeavor in spite of your absence or opposition. Regardless of your decision with respect to
your duties, we will continue to do ours.
Your name will continue to be included in the canon of the traditional
Roman Rite of Masses that are offered at SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic
Mission.
Lastly, your judicial vicar, Rev.
William J. King, has recently published in the diocesan newspaper certain lies
regarding members and supporters of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic
Mission. I will be formulating a public
reply to Rev. King. I will also offer
Rev. King an opportunity to enter into a public debate on the question of the
doctrinal position of SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic Mission where he can
defend his libelous accusations. I hope
you would encourage Rev. King to do so.
The expenses for this will entirely be born by SS. Peter and Paul Roman
Catholic Mission. Frankly, I think that Rev. King has not only disgraced
himself but the priesthood, the profession of canon law, and your office. If I were to give medical opinions
comparable to his canonical opinions, my license would have been revoked long
ago.
Sincerely in Christ,
David M. Drew
SS. Peter and Paul Roman Catholic
Mission
cc: Rev. William J King, JCD