[Maximilian]

I sat down and read the document - line-by-line, word-by-word. It was a classic jaw-dropping experience. Anyone with a modicum of perspicuity can see (at least in retrospect) that Sacrosanctum Concilium was designed by its principal draftsman, Annibale Bugnini, to authorize a liturgical revolution, while giving the appearance of liturgical continuity.

This topic came up on another thread regarding the changes that happened to a parish in Georgia within 1 year of the opening of Vatican II and the passage of Sacrosanctum Concilium, VII's constitution on the liturgy. Within less than a year the priest had turned around, Mass was said in the vernacular, a new altar table was installed, the communion rail was removed and people received communion standing. Chris Ferrara demonstrates how all these changes were permitted and even encouraged by Sacrosanctum Concilium if you read it with the eyes of the reformers.

[RobbyS]

Any document can be used by a determined group of men to achieve their purposes. Even if it says the contrary, they can always put the most favorable interpretation on it. They only thing that can stop them is an equally determined opposition.

[Hermann the Cherusker]

if you read it with the eyes of the reformers.

As opposed to reading it with the eyes of a Catholic? Why not read documents with the eyes of a Catholic and follow up in that spirit, instead of reading them with the eyes of a revolutionary?

I'd rather not be "one with the reformers" in their thoughts on the Magisterium.

[8mmMauser]

I harken back to a little church in the southern reaches of the Vendee in France. It was here, St. Louis Marie Grignon de Montfort stayed, as he walked from parish to parish, renewing the Faith. Fast forward to the first implementation of changes wrought from the artwork of Master Bugnini.

However gradually the changes may have evolved here, in France it wasn't necessarily so smooth.

The priest of that little church did not know what hit him. Swiftly and surely, a new crew descended upon his church catching him when he was outside the church. They simply locked him out, physically barred him from entry and offered him no alternative other than to go away. Then they rearranged the church to suit their new ways.

We know specifically of this case, have heard enough tales from others to know this brutal technique was more widespread. People may not have been that surprised. Just a couple hundred years ago, the Revolution of that day did about the same thing, but that time, more bloody.

Many perceived this as another revolution of the same vein.