Response of Joseph Whelan, Bishop of Owerri, Nigeria, to Vatican II’s Antepreparatory Commission

Eminentissime Princeps,

Aliqua doctrinae capita eorum quae in Concilio Oecumenico tractari debent maxima cum reverentia foliis adnexis Eminentiae Tuae communicamus.

Servus humillimus in Domino
Eminentiae Tuae
+ IOSEPHUS B. WHELAN
Episcopus Overriensis

Most Eminent Prince,

 With utmost reverence, we share with Your Eminence in the attached sheets of paper some doctrinal points which should be discussed in the Ecumenical Council.

Your Eminence’s
very humble servant in the Lord
+ JOSEPH B. WHELAN
Bishop of Owerri

De re dogmatica

1. De Beata Virgine Maria:

Declarare opportunum est doctrinam quae tenet Beatam Virginem Mariam mediatricem esse omnium gratiarum ad fidem pertinere, cum ubique et praedicatur et creditur.

2. De principali offerente in Missa:

In documentis pontificiis recenter editis memoratur Christum in Missa esse principalem offerentem; sacerdotem visibilem partes instrumentales tantum agere; hanc ad doctrinam Catholicam et non tantum ad opinionem theologorum pertinere declarare debet.

3. De Baptismo ab Acatholicis:

Quod ii qui baptizantur, etiam ab Acatholicis, sunt membra Ecclesiae Christi et si invincibiliter ignorant Ecclesiam Romanam Catholicam esse Ecclesiam Christi salvari possunt.

De re morali

Tria capitula textus de theologia morali retractatione indigent:

1. De dono et iniustitia:

Apud plurimas nationes praxis offerendi et acceptandi dona ita viget ut discrimen inter donum et « bribe » non facile servatur et de dono ad iniustitiam facile fit transitus. Notiones et principia clarificari debent.

2. Opus servile:

Opera quae in Dominicis permittuntur vel vetantur non bene notantur per nomina servilium et non servilium.

3. De pretio iusto:

Notiones quae in textibus traduntur et praxis generalis longe ab invicem distant.

+ IOSEPHUS B. WHELAN
Episcopus Overriensis

On dogmatic matter 

1. On the Blessed Virgin Mary:

It is opportune to declare that the doctrine which holds the Blessed Virgin Mary to be the mediatrix of all graces pertains to the faith since it is both preached and believed everywhere.

2. On the principal offerer in the Mass:

In recently published pontifical documents, Christ is said to be the principal offerer in the Mass; the visible  priest only plays the instrumental roles; it should be declared that this pertains to Catholic doctrine and not only to the opinion of theologians.

3. On Baptism by non-Catholics:

That those who are baptized, even by non-Catholics, are members of the Church of Christ and can be saved if they are invincibly ignorant that the Roman Catholic Church is the Church of Christ.

On moral matter

Three articles of the text on moral theology require reconsideration:

1. On gift and injustice:

In many nations, the practice of offering and accepting gifts is so prevalent that the distinction between gift and “bribe” is not easily observed, and the transition from gift to injustice happens easily. Notions and principles should be clarified.

2. Servile work:

Works which are permitted or forbidden on Sundays are not well denoted by servile and non-servile names.

3. On just wage:

Notions which are presented in the texts and the general practice are far from each other.

+ JOSEPH B. WHELAN
Bishop of Owerri