Posted on 08/02/2004 8:21:41 AM PDT by CatherineSiena
Edited on 08/02/2004 12:08:38 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
It's hard to miss Father Marcos Gonzalez, who wears an ankle-length black cassock every day, a garment most priests tossed out decades ago. But it's not just his clothes that bespeak an older, more traditional era of his Roman Catholic Church.
When some priests spoke in favor of optional celibacy at a Los Angeles priest assembly last year — a position supported by most American Catholics today — Gonzalez booed in dissent. In premarital counseling, he tells couples to remain chaste until marriage, plunging into delicate territory some priests prefer to avoid. Gonzalez also believes artificial birth control and gay sex are always a sin and opposes women's ordination.
Such stances conform with Vatican teachings, he says, but are at odds with many American priests and lay people.
Yet Gonzalez, an associate pastor at St. Andrew Church in Pasadena, is hardly a relic from a fading past. At 41, he offers one glimpse of the future as a member of a new breed of younger priests ordained during the 25-year papacy of Pope John Paul II and passionately committed to the pope's orthodox teachings.
As the health of John Paul — now 84 and the third-longest serving pontiff in history — continues to falter, men like Gonzalez stand ready to guard and propagate his legacy. They represent a global trend toward Christian orthodoxy, in contrast to a generation of more liberal priests ordained during the 1960s reforms of the Second Vatican Council.
"We are very, very faithful to the Holy Father and not in any way dissenting from the teachings of the church," Gonzalez says of like-minded colleagues.
The emergence of these young conservatives has set off a flurry of studies, books and debate about what effect they will have on the nation's 62 million Roman Catholics, its largest religious denomination.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
And, probably a bit disorienting the first time you attend their liturgy. It simply improves on each visit. It is from Jewish roots that the church of Antioch sprung. In fact, the church of Antioch was founded by St. Peter and it was there that the terms "Christian" and "Catholic" were first used. The first Christians were Jews and entire communities came to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Evidence from archaeological studies of Maronite church buildings show that they had earlier been synagogues.
* The folks there weren't used to outsiders, so we were a bit of a curiosity and several approached us.*
Lol ... this is VERY Maronite! They are the most welcoming community that I have ever visited. They serve refreshments after their liturgies - as is done in many of the Eastern Rite churches. They enjoy meeting visitors and want to know how you found them and did you enjoy the liturgy.
*It turns out that particular Maronite church had several refugees from liberal parishes. Any idea how many folks have switched rites?*
Refugees .... is that how they classified themselves, lol? Some RCs are finally discovering the beauty and majesty of the Eastern Catholic Rites. A Roman rite Catholic may join any Eastern Catholic Parish and receive any sacrament from an Eastern Catholic priest, since all belong to the Catholic Church as a whole. It is not necessary to switch rites.
*We were also wondering, but didn't have the nerve to ask, if any of them would switch back once things get better in the Roman rite.*
I appreciate how confusing this concept can be. Within the one Catholic Church there are in fact many churches which maintain their own traditions of theology, liturgy, spirituality, and government that are quite different from those usually associated with "Roman," or Latin (Western) Catholicism.
The Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. As the Church spread, it encountered different cultures and adapted, retaining from each culture what was consistent with the Gospel. In the city of Alexandria, the Church became very Egyptian; in Antioch it remained very Jewish; in Rome it took on an Italian appearance and in the Constantinople it took on the trappings of the Roman imperial court. All the churches which developed this way were Eastern, except Rome. Most Catholics in the United States have their roots in Western Europe where the Roman rite predominated. It has been said that the Eastern Catholic Churches are "the best kept secret in the Catholic Church."
The Vatican II Council declared that "all should realize it is of supreme importance to understand, venerate, preserve, and foster the exceedingly rich liturgical and spiritual heritage of the Eastern churches, in order faithfully to preserve the fullness of Christian tradition" (Unitatis Redintegrato, 15). Pope John Paul II said that "the Catholic Church is both Eastern and Western."
*Do you think you would switch back? (I'm much bolder on the internet!)*
Well ... I am still a Roman Catholic who attends mass at a Maronite Catholic Church. If you are referring to a canonical switch of rites, let me assure you that this is no simple process. It requires valid justification (escaping a liberal RC bishop does not qualify), the approval of both the Eparchial and Diocesan bishops. It is then forwarded to the Vatican. The applicant then has 6 months time in which to formalize the switch. This is a once in a lifetime event. It cannot be undone.
At my Maronite parish, is a couple who made the canonical switch from Roman to Melkite Catholic. At the time, they were living in PA. When they were transferred to Albany, they found no Melkite Church. The closest they have come is the Maronite Catholic Church, which is where they attend mass on Sunday.
Hope this clarifies any misunderstandings over the differences between the Western and Eastern Rites. Just remember, "catholic" = "catholic", be they Roman, Melkite, Ukrainian, Maronite, Syro-Malabar, etc.
Probably Glen Allen - St. Anthony's Maronite Catholic Church, on Sadler Road.
"We are very, very faithful to the Holy Father and not in any way dissenting from the teachings of the church," Gonzalez says of like-minded colleagues.
Prayer for the PopeLord, source of eternal life and truth, give to Your shepherd, the Pope, a spirit of courage and right judgement, a spirit of knowledge and love.By governing with fidelity those entrusted to his care may he, as successor to the apostle Peter and vicar of Christ, build Your church into a sacrament of unity, love, and peace for all the world. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
|
A Prayer for PriestsO Jesus, Eternal Priest, keep all Your priests within the shelter of Your Sacred Heart where none may harm them.Keep unstained their anointed hands which daily touch Your Sacred Body. Keep unsullied their lips purpled with Your Precious Blood. Keep pure and unearthly their hearts sealed with the sublime marks of Your glorious priesthood. Let Your holy love surround them and shield them from the world's contagion. Bless their labors and abundant fruit, and may the souls to whom they ministered here below be their joy and consolation, and in Heaven their beautiful and everlasting crown. Amen. O Mary, Queen of the clergy, pray for us; obtain for us a number of holy priests. |
The problem these younger ones have now is that of having to skirt the liberal superior they deal with, in order to properly say mass, teach the faith, etc.
Because of the shortage of priests, however, many of them will be having shorter associate pastorships. Some will become pastors of there own parishes after 7 years.
Thanks for posting this encouraging story.
"IN PLAIN ENGLISH: these priests are not heretics"
My thought exactly!
"Ordained despite adversity from Roger the dodger."
I meet a priest much like Father Marcos recently that had to leave LA and head to Alabama to attend seminary and receive ordination. The Diocese committee in LA didn't approve his view of women's ordination.
Prayers up for your son and for many more just like him.
I don't know where this Maronite Church being discussed is, but the one in Los Angeles is very Novus Ordo (Mass in English and facing the people). I wouldn't have been able to differentiate if I was in a novus ordo church until I saw that the Church was more traditionally oriented, i.e., Communion rail, traditional Stations of the Cross, statues, no banners, etc. This goes also for the Chaldean-Assyrian rite, except that it's in Arabic.
The church being discussed is in Virginia.
Over the centuries, the Latin Church has introduced many of its practices to the Maronite Church, including statues, rosary, stations of the cross, etc. The Novus Ordo "look", (Mass in English and facing the people), came about, following Vatican Council II. Here is brief history of those changes.
The most recent reform in the Maronite liturgy came about as a resent of Vatican II. On December 4, 1963, the Vatican Ecumenical Council issued a decree entitled " The Liturgy".
In accordance with the terms of the decree and the wishes of the Maronite Clergy,
1) The Vatican Ecumenical Council.
2) The Maronite Bishops.
3) Other Members of the Maronite belief, clergy and laity alike.
4) The Maronite Patriarch in Lebanon who was empowered (by the terms of the regulations issued November 21, 1965, pertaining specifically to the Eastern Church and being part of the Ecumenical Decrees of Vatican II) to reform the liturgy of the Maronite Church, Hs Eminence Cardinal Patriarch Peter Paul Meouchi in a patriarchal decree, dated April 13, 1973, ordered the priests of the Maronite Church to amend the Mass and to use the new Ordo Missae, as new form of prayer and devotion for a trial of one year from the date of the decree.
Shortly after the Decree was issued, hostilities broke out in Lebanon, and His Beatitude and Eminence Cardinal Patriarch Antonius Peter Khoreiche prolonged the experimental year for a further indefinite period. Moreover, to free the clergy of the Maronite Church for more important work of ministering to those who had suffered as a result of the upheavals in Lebanon, His beatitude ordered a postponement of decision - making meetings respecting church procedures until some future date when the country was once more at peace.
In 1992, His Eminence Cardinal and Patriarch Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, has ordered the new edition of the Maronite Mass, ad experimentum for five years.
The most important elements written into the Maronite Mass by the Patriarch at the time of the decree made April 13, 1973, and in July 1992 are as follows :
In his observance of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a priest should always face the Congregation at those times when he directly addresses the Community or when he gives a blessing or benediction, and he should turn to the altar when he addresses or pray to the Lord.
The text of the Mass should be in the vernacular particularly at those times when the priest speaks to the congregation. However, the words of Consecration, the Epiclesis (the invocation of the Holy Spirit), as well as certain hymns and blessings should be spoken in the original Aramaic, the language used by Christ, to remind the faithful of their Maronite heritage and traditions.
The faithful will bow their heads in accordance with an ancient Maronite custom rather than genuflect in the roman catholic fashion.
The first part of the Mass, the "preparation of the faithful", shall consist of prayers, hymns, and readings which will varied according the seasons of the Church and feast days honoured by our Holy mother Church.
On certain special feast days during the year, such as Ash Monday, Palm Sunday, Commemoration of the Finding of the Cross, etc., and for weddings, funerals, and baptisms, a special liturgy appropriate to the occasion will replace the usual prayers prescribed for the preparation of the faithful.
I wouldn't have been able to differentiate if I was in a novus ordo church until I saw that the Church was more traditionally oriented, i.e., Communion rail, traditional Stations of the Cross, statues, no banners, etc.
In the Maronite Tradition, there never was nor still is a need for a communion rail. As you know, communion is by intinction and has always been administered standing.
In similar fashion, Maronites do not genuflect (a Latin tradition), rather, they make a profound bow towards the Tabernacle. It is also considered proper in the Maronite Rite, to stand after communion, rather than kneel. These practices are traditional to their liturgy.
God Bless this man!
Why call these good men "conservative"? Would not faithful be a better term?
At my old parish, after 9/11/2001 the priest started ranting about "the corrupt men who control Alan Greenspan". I walked out in the middle of his sermon. I am sure I missed some eternal spiritual truth...unfortunately, the priest at my next church was Fr. "seamless garment". He also opposes the withholding of the Eucharist for pols in public opposition to the INFALLIBLE teachings of the Church.
"...the nation's 62 million Roman Catholics, its largest religious denomination."
I don't know if anybody shares this problem I have about designating the Catholic Church as a "denomination." As I look at it, the Catholic Church is a major founding Church and thus cannot be a "denomination," such as the various Protestant churches and sects. However, in debates with Protestants the Church is bandied around as a "denomination," as if she were one part of a whole. The so-called "Christian denomination" cannot be applied to the Catholis Church or for that matter the Orthodox (which is never designated as such). So I feel it is a derogatory term.
If anybody has a better explanation than what I expressed please let us know. It actually is a disturbing feeling I have about it all.
Thanks.
u.i.o.d.g.
Mattheus
You'e welcome!
I recently came across a very lengthy history of the Maronite liturgy, that details the extent to which the Roman Church imposed "latinization" of the Maronite liturgy, even going so far as to burn some of the original Maronite liturgical texts, containing many Anaphorae. (If I can find it again, I will post the link). Since the Maronites take pride in their strong ties to the Magisterium, they went along with this. Over a period of 400 years, changes were constantly introduced.
In his apostolic letter, Lumen Gentium, Pope John Paul II writes:
"Since, in fact, we believe that the venerable and ancient tradition of the Eastern churches is an integral part of the heritage of Christ's church, the first need for Catholics is to be familiar with that tradition, so as to be nourished by it and to encourage the process of unity in the best way possible for each.
Our Eastern Catholic brothers and sisters are very conscious of being the living bearers of this tradition, together with our Orthodox brothers and sisters. The members of the Catholic Church of the Latin tradition must also be fully acquainted with this treasure and thus feel, with the pope, a passionate longing that the full manifestation of the church's catholicity be restored to the church and to the world, expressed not by a single tradition and still less by one community in opposition to the other; and that we too may all be granted a full taste of the divinely revealed and undivided heritage of the church,[2] which is preserved and grows in the life of the churches of the East as in those of the West. "
FULL TEXT
If you would like to delve deeper into Maronite Tradition, I would strongly recommend this book.
Fr. Anthony J. Salim
It is an excellent resource on the differences between the Western and Eastern liturgies. For example, whereas Western Catholicism placed emphasis on the rational and systematic ordering of Church beliefs, the Eastern view is that all the truths of their Catholic heritage have been embodied and celebrated in a liturgical setting - icons, chant and a rich prayer life.
Eastern Tradition recognizes that all reality is enveloped in a sense of Mystery. Some things may never be "figured out." I cannot always control my environment, my faith journey, my life; perhaps the essence of faith lies in the trusting obedience I should have when I approach the greatest Mystery of all: our loving God.
Throughout history, as we sought God, God found us. In the Prayer of Praise and Thanksgiving of the Anahora of St. James, Brother of the Lord, the Celebrant addresses the Father in these words:
...You formed us from the earth
and conferred on us the joy of paradise.
When we transgressed your command and sinned,
you neither neglected not rejected us,
but rather, like a merciful father, you sought us.
By the Law you called us back;
by the prophets you guided us;
and, at last, you sent your only Son,
our Lord and God Jesus Christ, into the world
that he might renew your image in us ...
SSPX has convinced itself that it and only it, is the real keeper of orthodoxy and that one day everyone will come running to it when the Novus Ordo falls in a heap of ashes. I doubt it.
God is calling fine young men to the priesthood in the Catholic Church. Lots of them.
"If anyone thinks that the Maronite Rite is a safe haven from modernist pressure, think again. All that is NewChurch is alive there just as it is just about everywhere else."
Thank you for the confirmation. This point was highlighted in a recent post on "Maronite almsgiving".
"SSPX has convinced itself that it and only it, is the real keeper of orthodoxy"
The SSPX is only one branch of traditional Catholicism. Thanks to the manure provided by modernists the whole traditionalist tree is flourishing.
"God is calling fine young men to the priesthood in the Catholic Church."
Many are choosing traditionalist orders - rather than running the gauntlet at sodomite-run seminaries.
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