A great honor to finally meet the famous Fr. William Ashley.He is the pastor of a model parish. A fine parish where the faithful can actually be introduced to the musico-liturgical forms of the Roman Liturgy. Very rare today.
When we hear about modern liturgy it is always in the context of renewal (SC, Article 121). BUT, there is also firstly conservation (SC, Articles 114, 116).
The duty to preserve the imposing patrimony of sacred music, both Gregorian and polyphonic, is laid down in explicit terms by the Constitution (SC, Article 114).
Latin Rite pastors of today are to be responsible successors. It corresponds to them to teach the Roman Rite to Roman Catholics in Roman Catholic parishes. If one neglects the duty of preservation, one actually compromises the ultimate success of the renewal itself.
And Fr. Ashley has a beautiful voice - he should have his own radio show.
Father is a personal friend of mine and great is an understatement. He is kindhearted, a great preacher, an excellent confessor, a solid priest with a fine sense of liturgy (I would consider him one of the best, if not, the best liturgist in the Archdiocese of Vancouver), and quite frankly a wonderful human being who I have had the honor of knowing for quite a while now. Ad multos annos, Father!
ReplyDeleteSeeing this post, John, reminded me of James W. Demers' 1991 book, The Last Roman Catholic?: it detailed not only the 1987-89 struggle of the conservative Oratorians in Ottawa, of which Fr. Ashley was a member, but also contained hilarious commentary on the entire post-Vatican II period. I might just re-read it!
ReplyDelete-Donnacha
Vescovo subito!
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