We at ABE Ministry were reviewing parts of this text a few days ago who when it was suddenly remembered that a few years ago we had contacted its author in a good will attempt to set the record straight for she had erred in making a claim about Vatican Two.
Below is a copy of the email sent to the author but signed with a S/N the Founder and Chairman of ABE ministry no longer uses
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Dear Prof. I read your sociological analysis of Vat Two with interest but I did detect an error:
The Error: P. 54 Protestant observers were in attendance - the first time in history that Protestants had been invited to a Roman Catholic Council.
13th Session of Trent:
DECREE FOR POSTPONING THE DEFINITION OF FOUR ARTICLES TOUCHING THE SACRAMENT OF THE EUCHARIST, AND FOR GIVING A SAFE-CONDUCT TO PROTESTANTS
The same holy Synod, - desiring to pluck out of the field of the Lord all the errors which like thorns have sprung up again on the subject of this most holy sacrament, and wishing to provide for the salvation of all the faithful, her daily prayers being devoutly offered up to Almighty God for this end - amongst the other articles, relative to this sacrament, which have been treated of with the most diligent inquiry into Catholic truth; very many and most accurate conferences, according to the importance of the matters, having been held, and the sentiments also of the most eminent theologians having been ascertained; has likewise treated of these following: whether it be necessary to salvation, and be prescribed of divine right, that all the faithful of Christ receive the said venerable sacrament under both species. And; whether he who communicates under either species receive less than he who communicates under both. And; whether holy Mother Church hath erred, by communicating, under the species of bread only, the laity, and priests when not celebrating. And; whether little children also are to be communicated.
But whereas those, of the most noble province of Germany, who call themselves Protestants, desire to be heard by the holy Synod upon these said articles before they are defined, and for this end have asked for the public faith from the Synod, that they may be allowed to come hither in safety, dwell in this city, speak freely and set forth their sentiments before the Synod, and afterwards depart when they please; this holy Synod, - although It has looked forward with great earnestness for many months past for their coming, nevertheless, as an affectionate mother that groaneth and travaileth, most ardently desiring and labouring after this, that, amongst those who bear the Christian name, there may be no schisms, but that, even as all acknowledge the same God and Redeemer, so may all say the same thing, believe the same, think the same, -trusting in the mercy of God, and hoping that the result will be that they may be brought back to the most holy and salutary concord of one faith, hope, and charity, (and) yielding to them herein, hath, as far as the said Synod is concerned, given and granted, according to their request; a public assurance and faith, which they call a safe-conduct, of the tenor which will be set down below; and for their sakes It hath postponed the definition of those articles to the second next Session, which, that they may conveniently be present thereat,
It hath indicted for the festival of the conversion of Saint Paul, which will be on the twenty-fifth day of the month of January of the ensuing year. And It furthermore ordains, that the sacrifice of the mass, on account of the close connexion between the two subjects, shall be treated of in the same Session; and that meanwhile It will treat of the sacraments of Penance and Extreme Unction in the next Session, which It hath decreed is to be held on the festival of Saint Catharine, virgin and martyr, which will be the twenty-fifth of November; and that at the same time, in both Sessions, the matter of reformation shall be proceeded with.
SAFE-CONDUCT GRANTED TO PROTESTANTS
The sacred and holy, general Synod of Trent,-lawfully assembled in the Holy Ghost, the same Legate and Nuncios of the holy Apostolic See presiding therein,- grants, as far as regards the holy Synod itself, to all and each one throughout the whole of Germany, whether ecclesiastics or Seculars, of whatsoever degree, estate, condition, quality they be, who may wish to repair to this oecumenical and general Council, the public faith and full security, which they call a safe-conduct, with all and each of the necessary and suitable clauses and decrees, even though they ought to be expressed specifically and not in general terms, and which it is Its wish shall be considered as expressed, so as that they may and shall have it in their power in all liberty to confer, make proposals, and treat on those things which are to be treated of in the said Synod; to come freely and safely to the said oecumenical Council, and there remain and abide, and propose therein, as well in writing as by word of mouth, as many articles as to them shall seem good, and to confer and dispute, without any abuse or contumely, with the Fathers, or with those who may have been selected by the said holy Synod; as also to withdraw whensoever they shall think fit. It hath furthermore seemed good to the holy Synod, that if, for their greater liberty and security, they desire that certain judges be deputed on their behalf, in regard of crimes whether committed, or that may be committed, by them, they shall themselves nominate those who are favourable towards them, even though the said crimes should be ever so enormous and should savour of heresy.
An interested reader
And the response was not long in coming but it was short in its defensiveness, denial, and dismissiveness.
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Dear interested reader,
I would not call that an error, nor would any of the historians who have reviewed my book with interest: offering Protestants safe passage for attending is not the same thing as officially inviting observers - which was done for the first time at Vatican II.
Best,
Melissa
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Melissa Wilde
Associate Professor of Sociology
University of Pennsylvania
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ABS writes a response that is, of course, left unanswered.
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Dear A.P. Wilde. This is prolly the first time in my life that I have heard it alleged that an invitation is not an invitation. I do not know what else to call that official invitation other than an official invitation.
That those who reviewed your book missed this is no cause to deny reality.
That aside, thank you for taking the time to respond so promptly to my missive.
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ABS then followed-up with an email to the chairman of the Soc Dept. at U Penn, with the error and its correction included but not posted here as part of the email.
Need it be said he did not respond?
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Dear Sir
I have been told you are the Chair of the Soc. Dept. and so I am contacting you about a curious response I received from A.P. Wilde about a claim she made in her book.
As I showed, the Council of Trent not only invited Protestants to appear at the council, they guaranteed them safe passage, and they invited them to participate and debate - far more than what was done during Vat Two.
I advanced the information as a gesture of good will and in the interest of historical accuracy but her response left me flummoxed.
An interested reader
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What a strange world we live in...
An interested reader
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What a strange world we live in...