Cubao diocese eyes more Latin Masses for SSPX followers

MANILA, Philippines — Following the latae sententiae, or automatic, excommunication of bishops from the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) who took part in the July 1 consecrations without papal mandate, Cubao Bishop Elias Ayuban Jr., CMF, said the diocese will provide pastoral assistance to those associated with the group.

Ayuban, in a pastoral letter released Tuesday, July 7, expressed his “deepest sentiments” to those affected by the episcopal consecration in Écône, Switzerland, which prompted the Vatican to issue a decree of excommunication on July 2 based on the Code of Canon Law.

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“To you, I speak these words from the heart: I am saddened that many of you, our dear lay faithful, who have sincerely worshiped at liturgies celebrated by the Society, now find yourselves not only in a painful moment of discernment but also of being deprived of the sacraments,” he said, addressing lay people who attend liturgies celebrated by the SSPX.

Ayuban said they are also children of God who have genuinely loved the sacred liturgy and seriously devoted themselves to Catholic tradition.

“I know that many of you never intended to reject what Mother Church teaches you or disobey the Holy Father. I want to assure you that, in these moments of great spiritual difficulty, you remain part of the Catholic Church and you will always have a place in the local church of Cubao,” he said.

One of the strongest centers of the SSPX in the Philippines is Our Lady of Victories Church in New Manila, Quezon City, within the territorial jurisdiction of the Diocese of Cubao. The Society celebrates the Traditional Latin Mass and administers the sacraments there to those who attend its liturgical services.

Ayuban said that while the Mass is already celebrated in some churches within the diocese, “we shall explore the possibility of providing additional Traditional Latin Masses accessible to a greater number of devotees in accordance with the prescriptions of Traditionis Custodes,” an apostolic letter issued by Pope Francis in 2021 regarding the use of pre-Vatican II liturgies.

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Likewise, Ayuban said that “to provide for the spiritual needs of those who follow the Society, we shall begin organizing a group of priests and lay faithful who will be able to competently and compassionately provide information, counseling, and pastoral assistance.”

“Since our Holy Mother the Church now asks her sons and daughters who have been associated and continue to be associated with the Society to no longer participate in their liturgies, I urge the clergy and the faithful of the Diocese of Cubao to welcome them with charity, understanding, and patience,” he said.

Ayuban said that “through preaching and catechism, may we avoid condemnation but approach the matter with pastoral tact and sensitivity.”

“As we encourage the priests and lay faithful of the Society to seek reconciliation with the Church, we shall together collaborate and reflect on concrete opportunities and means for dialogue,” he said. /dm