Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Problems with Forums

I have been a member of the Phatmass Forum for several months. However, I have decided to remove them from my sidebar permanently after they suspended my account this afternoon. My account was suspended because I stated that I generally find the Tridentine Latin Mass to be more reverent and mystical than the typical Novus Ordo Mass. This is my personal opinion based upon the few Tridentine and Novus Ordo parishes that I have visited. I also stated that some Novus Ordo Masses are wonderful such as those from Assumption Grotto.

Because I stated thus, my account has been suspended. In no way was I advocating dissent, sedevacantism, etc. I was simply stating my opinion, and I was punished for that. Thankfully there are better forums more accepting to those that love the Tridentine Mass like the Fish Eaters and Angel Queen. I certainly do not support everything on those websites, but I do feel they are a better place to learn and talk about the Tridentine Mass without being insulted.

12 comment(s):

del_button May 1, 2007 at 5:29 PM
Anonymous said...

Every forum is going to have the problem of either over-aggressive moderators or moderators who stand off and let the conversation descend into a free-for-all before doing anything about it.

del_button May 1, 2007 at 6:41 PM
EC Gefroh said...

Seems kind of harsh. Did you send the moderator an email explaining that.

del_button May 1, 2007 at 6:44 PM
Matthew said...

Esther, I tried but I am completely not allowed to use the forum in any way until next Tuesday.

del_button May 1, 2007 at 6:51 PM
Cathy said...

Yeah, I had a similar problem once, with another site which I can't remember offhand.
Ridiculous.
Why people are so scared of a little Latin is beyond me.
These people had the nerve to say "Fr. Benedict Groeschel says the Latin Mass is divisive" and suspended my account before I could respond that, uhhhhh, Father Benedict Groeschel is on the BOARD OF DIRECTORS at my parish.
I'm pretty sure he's a fan of the Latin Mass.
Ah, well.
What's facts when you can use rhetoric?

del_button May 1, 2007 at 10:32 PM
Jean Heimann said...

I am sorry this happened to you.

It does seem rather harsh for simply stating your opinion. It wasn't as if you were pressuring others to feel the same way or severely criticizing the typical Novus Ordo Mass. You certainly weren't rebelling against the Church or speaking heresy. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I wonder why they objected to you expressing your honest opinion?

Was someone feeling threatened by your statement? If so, why? Did they perceive you as trying to stir up trouble? That was certainly not your intent.

I hope you can communicate with them and get some feedback soon.

I'm keeping you in my daily prayers, Matthew.

Pax et Bonum.

del_button May 2, 2007 at 12:45 PM
Anonymous said...

Oh, duh. They're being really silly.

I wrote about this yesterday; I can't objectively show which Mass is better, but in terms of subjective, internal reverence, I find the Tridentine Mass--or Novus Ordo in Latin--to be better.

Maybe they are better off without you?

del_button May 2, 2007 at 4:07 PM
justmemv said...

Shame Catholics are so prejudice against their own traditions and heritage. Sad really.

del_button May 2, 2007 at 8:10 PM
K said...

I am so sorry that you were treated so poorly. I am sure that they must not have understood your intent, but it would have been nice if they had given you the benefit of the doubt.

I have been attacked by people within the Church as well. It doesn't feel good. In fact, it could make someone question their faith. I've seen it happen.

I've been deemed a "less-than acceptable" Catholic by certain folks who consider themselves Traditionalists. Because I attend Life Teen Mass with my teens, I've been accused of partaking in an illicit Mass.

It is so sad to see our "body of Christ" tear one another apart. It does not witness to the real beauty of our faith. And it certainly doesn't draw in those souls that Christ yearns for.

All facets of our faith are beautiful, no matter how we worship. We are all different in how we worship. We should respect where our faith originated, it traditions, and its customs. As well, we should embrace the beauty that was intended with Vatican II. Do we have it perfect? Of course not. Only one way to get it perfect and that will be when we are sitting at His feet worshipping Him in Heaven.

I pray that they reconsider the banishment and that you continue to speak about your faith as you have been.

del_button May 2, 2007 at 10:14 PM
Anonymous said...

I've been on phatmass quite a bit, and I know that there are quite a few fans of the Tridentine rite, but do have one trait that stands out the most, which is strict fidelity and obedience to the magisterium. I'm sure it was just a misunderstanding, and no need to for either side to "split" over this. I hope you consider staying on phatmass, as I am sure your input is helpful.

That being said, while I have never attended a Tridentine rite mass, I do long to attend one. That being said, I think one of the traps we often fall into is saying I like the youth mass, or tridentine mass, or the children's liturgy mass, or the daily mass by father so and so, and take focus off of the mass itself. I'm not saying you are doing this, but I have been guilty of it in the past, and try to keep the focus of the fact that I cannot control the reverence of those around me, only my own, so that I should be as reverent as possible, and focus on our Lord during mass, and not the distractions.

del_button July 3, 2007 at 1:24 AM
Anonymous said...

Dear Matthew,

Hi! I'm also on phatmass, and I have found there are many there that prefer the Tridentine Mass. Just look in Vocation Station and you'll see people asking about orders that have it all the time. I've seen in Open Mic people saying they find the TLM more reverent also, and they were not suspended.

Maybe it was a misunderstanding on the part of a mod. Talk to the mod, Aloysius. He's definitely a Traditionalist.

I find there's much freedom at phatmass for Traditionalists. It's just that they won't tolerate those that believe VII was not a true council of the Church or the Novus Ordo Mass is invalid. But definitely you're allowed to believe and state your opinion that the TLM is more reverent than the NO. There are a few there that do have this stance that VII & the NO Mass are invalid. But they're not suspended. They're just given the red letters next to their name, "Separated Brethren" & "Hello, I do not rep the Church" I think it's a great system. And those guys still continue to go on and contribute, like goldenchild17 & St ThomasMore. Again, talk to the mod, Aloysius. I'm sure he also agrees that the TLM is more reverent than the NO. His email is aloysius@phatmass.com. God bless!

del_button July 3, 2007 at 2:00 AM
Anonymous said...

PS - Also, personally I believe it a can be a danger to one's faith to hang out a lot on a Traditionist forum that is not totally with the Magisterium like Fish Eaters.

Yes, you are free to discuss Traditional Catholicism, but the kind of Traditionism being advocated on forums like Fish Eaters is generally not in union with the mind of the Church. I have posted on there a few times, and once quoted the new Catechism of the Catholic Church, and several posted that they do not follow it.

This can also be especailly confusing for those just coming into the Church. That's why phatmass also won't allow links to any Trad. site not in union with Rome, or to such forums like Fish Eaters. Obedience and communion with the Church comes first.

del_button July 3, 2007 at 6:43 AM
Matthew said...

But definitely you're allowed to believe and state your opinion that the TLM is more reverent than the NO.

For that very reason I was sent a warning just a few weeks ago.

And I love Fish Eaters. The people there are so helpful and they even kindly sent me a paypal donation. That is more than anyone on Phatmass has done.

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