El Salvador: Anglican “Bishop” Actively Participates in a Mass

The event, held at the chapel of the Hospitalito La Divina Providencia, where Archbishop Romero was assassinated in 1980, sparked a debate on liturgical norms and ecumenical boundaries. The Anglican "bishop" was given a role in the ceremony, participating in the entrance procession, sharing the homily, and standing at the altar during Mass.

The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Oswaldo Estéfano Escobar Aguilar of Chalatenango, and concelebrated by several priests. The participation of the two non-Catholic figures cast a chill among both priests and the faithful.

This is the third consecutive year that Anglican clergy have participated in this Mass, a practice that has increasingly drawn criticism from some Catholic faithful. The Apostolic Nunciature quickly issued a statement condemning these irregularities, reaffirming that Catholic liturgical law does not permit such participation in the Eucharistic celebration.

In its official statement, the Apostolic Nunciature reiterated that, while ecumenical gatherings with non-Catholic Christians are permitted, they must be limited to the Liturgy of the Word, reflections, and common prayers, such as the Lord's Prayer. The inclusion of non-Catholic members in the Eucharistic celebration goes against established Catholic doctrine.

The Vatican diplomatic mission also objected to the presence of banners with political messages against mining, which had been placed on the altar. According to the statement, the altar must be reserved exclusively for the celebration of the Eucharist, in accordance with liturgical norms.

"What happened this morning in the Hospitalito Chapel should not have happened, as it is expressly prohibited by ecclesiastical law," the nunciature emphasized. The controversy highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding the legacy of Archbishop Romero, who was "canonized" by Pope Francis in 2018.

These abuses are not surprising, and it would be extraordinary if they did not happen. With the promotion of deviant and unbridled ecumenism, it is absolutely inevitable that confusion will set in among the faithful and even within the ranks of the clergy. This kind of scene is therefore destined to repeat itself and worsen.

Moreover, requests for co-celebration with Protestants are regularly made—and even practiced—for example, in Germany. The reaction of the El Salvador nunciature will not be able to do anything about it. The response should come from Rome with the cessation of this ecumenism, which destroys the faith in souls.

But it seems that this is not yet the path the Catholic hierarchs want to take, to the misfortune of the faithful and the entire Church.