Vatican II vota of Bishop Patrick Joseph Kelly

Bishop of Benin City, Nigeria

(Vota not dated, written in Latin)

Cf. ADA II/V, 339

Patrick Joseph Kelly (1894-1991), S.M.A., is an Irish missionary to Nigeria

Eminentissime Domine,

Oh Most Eminent Lord,

Iam recepi vestram epistolam N. 1 C/59-220 (bis) diei 21 martii 1960, et hic submitto vota quae volo tractari in Concilio Oecumenico.

I received your letter No. 1 C/59-220 (bis) of 21 March 1960 just now, and hereupon, I submit the wishes that I want to be discussed in the Ecumenical Council.

1. Petitur ut secundum can. 1125 Constitutio Romani Pontificis S. Pii V applicetur sine necessitate ulla interpellationis in terris Missionum dummodo obtineatur ratio principalis constitutionis, nempe ut durissimum sit polygamo se separare ab uxore qua cum vivit et quae cum ipso baptizatur.

1. It is requested that according to Canon 1125, the Constitution of the Roman Pontiff St. Pius V be applied without any necessity of hindrance in Mission lands so long as the principal concern of the constitution is obtained, namely, that it is very difficult for a polygamist to separate himself from the wife with whom he lives and who is baptized with him.

Si petitio concedi non potest ut supra saltem petitur ut concedatur cum hac restrictione: ≪ sed si sine interpellatione prima et legitima uxor sponte declaret se velle baptizari aut iam baptizata sit non est locus application constitutionis. Cf. Vromant, De Matrimonio, Editio 1952, tit. 1, cap. VI, nn. 344, 345, 345 (ii) et 345 (iii). Cum applicatione Constitutionis Romani Pontificis sine ulla restrictione multi pagani baptizarentur qui secus vix umquam baptizari possint.

If the request cannot be granted, as above, at least it is requested that it be granted with this restriction: “but if without hindrance the first and legitimate wife voluntarily declares that she wants to be baptized, or is already baptized, there is no place for the application of the constitution.” Cf. Vromant, De Matrimonio, 1952 Edition, tit. 1, chapt. VI, nn. 344, 345, 345 (ii) et 345 (iii). With the application of the Constitution Romani Pontificis, without any restriction, many pagans would be baptized, who otherwise could hardly ever be baptized.

2. Petitur ut permittatur congregationi recitare, elata voce, sive cum catechista ductore sive non, orationes Missae in lingua vernacula dum sacerdos easdem orationes recitat latine ab initio Missae ad Praefationem inclusive et rursus a Pater Noster usque ad finem. In congregatione ubi fere omnes sunt illitterati nulla alia via existit qua partem activam in Sancto Sacrificio Missae sumere possint nisi recitent Rosarium Virginis Mariae et recitare Rosarium vix dici potest participatio in Missa.

2. It is requested that the congregation be permitted to recite, with a raised voice, whether with a catechist, guide, or not, the prayers of the Mass in the vernacular, while the priest recites the same prayers in Latin from the beginning of the Mass to and including the Preface, and again from Our Father right on to the end. In a congregation where almost all are illiterate, there is no other way by which they can take an active part in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass unless they recite the Rosary of the Virgin Mary, and reciting the Rosary can hardly be called participation in the Mass.

3. Pro constituendo tribunali primae instantiae pro causis matrimonialibus in locis Missionum requiritur ut renovetur et permanenter detur concessio Sacrae Congregationis de Sacramentis (Num. Prot. 2534/33). Difficillimum est procurare plenum tribunal iudicum secundum C.I.C. hic in locis Missionum.

3. For setting up a tribunal of the first instance for matrimonial cases in places of Missions, it is requested that the concession of the Sacred Congregation of the Sacraments (Num. Prot. 2534/33) be restored and permanently given. It is very difficult to procure a full tribunal of judges in compliance with the Code of the Canon Law here in places of Missions.

Reverentiae Tuae humilis in Christo servus

+ PATRICIUS I. KELLY

Episcopus Urbis Beninensis

Humble servant of Your Reverence in Christ,

+ PATRICK I. KELLY

Bishop of Benin City