Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Eucharist kneeling request sparks controversy [Catholic Caucus]
WCR ^ | December 15, 2008 | DEBORAH GYAPONG

Posted on 12/12/2008 6:48:14 AM PST by NYer

OTTAWA — Ottawa’s archbishop would like all parishes in the sprawling diocese to kneel at the same time during the Mass.

Archbishop Terrence Prendergast said he is implementing what the Canadian bishops had decided a few years ago would be common practice throughout Canada when the new translation of the Roman Missal comes into use.

He never expected his request would become a front-page story in the Ottawa Citizen, describing the move as “authoritarian.”

“It didn’t strike me as controversial,” he said. “But you can always line up people on either side of an issue.”

“It gets the message out that there’s a change,” he joked.

Though the new missal is not expected until 2010 or 2011, the archbishop decided to introduce the change at the start of Advent, the beginning of a new liturgical year.

“I want harmony and unity in the diocese,” he said. “I felt we needed to move now, to make some movement towards a regular, balanced position on liturgy.”

Pastoral letter

In a pastoral letter dated Nov. 23, Prendergast invited all parishes to kneel during the Eucharistic Prayer, from the end of the “Holy, holy, holy” to the Memorial Acclamation when the celebrant says, “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.”

'If you had no response to change, people wouldn’t be alive.'

- Archbishop
Terrence Prendergast

Prendergast had informed his priests of the change last August, and said “a number” were not happy about it. Some expressed concerns that the archdiocesan liturgical commission was not consulted.

He has also had some parishioners complain.

“Change always does that,” he said. “If you had no response to change, people wouldn’t be alive.”

Bishops in Atlantic Canada initiated the move to a new common practice while he was still archbishop of Halifax, he said.

The Canadian bishops’ decision to adopt this happened before his appointment to Ottawa in 2007.

Noise and distraction

In travelling throughout the sprawling Ottawa Archdiocese, with its French and English sectors, Prendergast noticed a whole range of practices: some congregations stand throughout, some kneel in the middle of the Eucharistic Prayer, causing a lot of noise and distraction, and others continue to kneel after the Consecration.

As more parishes are working together, sometimes congregants will be confused at a joint gathering, with half standing and half kneeling, a sign of division, he said.

When the controversy hit the front page, Prendergast had just returned from Rome where he had attended meetings of Vox Clara, an advisory group of Scripture scholars that is making recommendations to the Congregation for Divine Worship on the English translation of the Roman Missal.

The work during the latest meeting concerned the translation of the Proper of Seasons, that includes the prefaces for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and other seasons during the Church year.

“It’s slow,” he said. “It’s always longer than you think.”

“We were hoping to finish by 2010, but it looks like we may finish by 2011,” he said.

Dignity before God

Some of the controversy over the change is theological, though Prendergast noted in his pastoral letter the reasons for standing: “expressing our dignity before God as his children set free by the death and resurrection of Christ;” and for kneeling: “to express adoration and reverence.”

He also pointed out that both postures would be in use during the Great Eucharistic Prayer of Praise.

Others have objected to being told what to do, though the Citizen had trouble finding people to comment publicly.

Though the newspaper described his move as authoritarian, the archbishop disagrees with the label. Exercising authority and making proper decisions can be perceived as authoritarian, but it is not, he said.

Others objected to the focus on a liturgical change when the Church faces other problems.

Parishioner Toddy Kehoe told the Citizen, “Is that all they have to think about? I don’t see the Catholic Church as doing loving things.

“I don’t see them as the caring community they should be. It isn’t whether you stand or kneel.”


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; Religion & Culture; Worship
KEYWORDS: ca; catholic; ottawa
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-58 next last

1 posted on 12/12/2008 6:48:14 AM PST by NYer
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Salvation; narses; SMEDLEYBUTLER; redhead; Notwithstanding; nickcarraway; Romulus; ...

Ping!


2 posted on 12/12/2008 6:49:08 AM PST by NYer ("Run from places of sin as from a plague." - St. John Climacus)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer

>>Parishioner Toddy Kehoe told the Citizen, “Is that all they have to think about? I don’t see the Catholic Church as doing loving things.

“I don’t see them as the caring community they should be. It isn’t whether you stand or kneel.”<<

If Our Lord Jesus Christ appeared right there standing on the Altar, how concerned would this dude be about “community”?

Well He is there. Right there, on the Altar. Apparently, this man has no clue about that.


3 posted on 12/12/2008 6:52:59 AM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom

I don’t see how valid authority is not seen as “loving”.


4 posted on 12/12/2008 6:55:39 AM PST by Carpe Cerevisi
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: NYer

...if they don’t like it the Episcopal/Unitarian churches are right down the street...


5 posted on 12/12/2008 7:01:40 AM PST by MSF BU (++)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom

WWJD? Would He care? Hel-loooow, padre - get a life.


6 posted on 12/12/2008 7:05:24 AM PST by QBFimi2 (Ve are the New World Order; ve bring to the world dis-order. Spike Jones, 1943.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Carpe Cerevisi

oh how stiff necked His people have become. I wish I could receive on my knees like I used to. We have become so full of pride, even the smallest amount of humility seems to cause strife. get over it Catholics, or find another Church! We ARE WHO WE ARE, and we are the Church of Christ. I can’t imagine any catholic arguing against kneeling at the time of consecration, except those who do NOT realize it is not merely a symbol because of poor catechesis.


7 posted on 12/12/2008 7:05:36 AM PST by wombtotomb (since its "above his paygrade", why can't we err on the side of caution about when life begins?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: NYer
Prendergast had informed his priests of the change last August, and said “a number” were not happy about it. Some expressed concerns that the archdiocesan liturgical commission was not consulted.

It's about time that bishops started showing their priests who's in charge!

8 posted on 12/12/2008 7:07:05 AM PST by pgkdan
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
Others have objected to being told what to do, though the Citizen had trouble finding people to comment publicly.

Translation: we had to hunt everywhere we could think of for days and days to find Toddy Kehoe, who hasn't been to church in years.

Comment: If you don't like being told what to do, Toddy my boy,

You'll fit right in!

9 posted on 12/12/2008 7:07:36 AM PST by AnAmericanMother (Ministrix of ye Chasse (TTGC Ladies' Auxiliary - recess appointment))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: QBFimi2

>>WWJD? Would He care? Hel-loooow, padre - get a life.<<

Do you believe in the trinity?


10 posted on 12/12/2008 7:09:16 AM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NYer

I have been attending the Trinidine Mass on Sundays.

No shorts, no flip-flops, no shaking hands, no kids running around and eating, no laypersons distributing Holy Communion.

Just an hour of celebration and worship of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as I remember it.

What a joy!


11 posted on 12/12/2008 7:09:54 AM PST by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kellynla

We have the same thing at our Very traditional NO Holy Mass.

We kneel. A lot.


12 posted on 12/12/2008 7:13:10 AM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: QBFimi2
WWJD? Would He care? Hel-loooow, padre - get a life.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

WWJD?

Jesus was obedient. He was so obedient that he atoned for our sins. He asked his Father if the cup could be passed, and when it wasn't he obeyed.

If Christ could be humble and obedient, I would think Catholics would be more than willing to be humble and obedient to their bishop's righteous **invitation**.

I greatly admire Catholics who practice **all** of their religion. I wish we had a nation filled to the brim with them.

13 posted on 12/12/2008 7:16:24 AM PST by wintertime
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: QBFimi2

I certainly think the Christ would notice you don’t recognize who HE is!

I don’t know about you, but I sure don’t feel worthy to STAND in the presence of the Lord Almighty!!!


14 posted on 12/12/2008 7:21:25 AM PST by ROLF of the HILL COUNTRY ( The Constitution needs No interpreting, only APPLICATION!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: NYer
On the one hand, these changes are so infinitesimally small, one would have to be a complete lardhead to spend time objecting to them.

On the other hand, one has to really wonder about Church Fathers who spend even one second of their day pondering such things, while at the same time you look around the world and (pardon the expression) Rome is Burning!

15 posted on 12/12/2008 7:26:25 AM PST by Buckeye McFrog
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NYer
Prendergast had informed his priests of the change last August, and said “a number” were not happy about it. Some expressed concerns that the archdiocesan liturgical commission was not consulted.

The Church isn't a democracy. Get over it. I don't get why people have a problem with kneeling. My archdiocese never changed from it being the norm. Those who don't kneel are considered the oddballs.

16 posted on 12/12/2008 7:27:29 AM PST by Desdemona (Tolerance of grave evil is NOT a Christian virtue (I choose virtue. Values change too often).)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom

These quotes are simply quotes for ignorant Catholics, and sadly there are tons of them out there these days who don’t know the very basics of their faith.

You kneel during the consecration and should be kneeling the entire time once it occurs until the Eucharists have been placed away. During that time you are in the presence of Jesus himself according to Catholic doctrine and do not be kneeling unless physically unable to do so is disrespectful.

Its really nothing more difficult than that.


17 posted on 12/12/2008 7:30:05 AM PST by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: netmilsmom

These quotes are simply quotes for ignorant Catholics, and sadly there are tons of them out there these days who don’t know the very basics of their faith.

You kneel during the consecration and should be kneeling the entire time once it occurs until the Eucharists have been placed away. During that time you are in the presence of Jesus himself according to Catholic doctrine and to not be kneeling unless physically unable to do so is disrespectful.

Its really nothing more difficult than that.


18 posted on 12/12/2008 7:31:09 AM PST by HamiltonJay
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: pgkdan

I think some of our Bishops are as wishy washy as our political head honcho in D.C.

Hoo-ray for the “radicals” among us!


19 posted on 12/12/2008 7:34:08 AM PST by getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL (****************************Stop Continental Drift**)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: HamiltonJay

Spot on!


20 posted on 12/12/2008 7:39:03 AM PST by netmilsmom (Psalm 109:8 - Let his days be few; and let another take his office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-58 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
Religion
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson