News from Adoremus Bulletin 12/02

Adoremus Bulletin ^ | December 19, 2002 | Adoremus Bulletin Staff

[ninenot]

"Catechesis" on Liturgy varies widely in US dioceses

Cardinal Jorge A. Medina Estévez's letter of October 25, 2001 to the USCCB, commenting on proposed American Adaptations to the IGMR, said the following:

"In cases where the Conference of Bishops is to legislate, such legislation should be truly specific, and the law intends precisely that any particular episcopal legislation on these matters be enacted in common by the Bishops of the Conference rather than being left to be determined variously in different dioceses".

At present, different interpretations of liturgical rules from one diocese to another -- a "balkanization" of the Church in the US -- is causing very serious and very widespread confusion. It is a source of grief for Catholics in dioceses where draconian measures are taken to eliminate kneeling or other traditional gestures of reverence. People are especially distressed (and perplexed) at the harshness of the directives of some bishops, and find themselves torn between their wish to obey the bishop (some bishops are invoking obedience to enforce their directives) and their profound desire to express bodily their reverence for the Blessed Sacrament.

As we have said elsewhere, this is a conflict no Catholic should be forced to encounter.

Below are a few samples from the past few months:

In Arlington there has been a crisis at Christendom College, where it has been customary to kneel at the altar rail to receive Communion. Bishop Paul Loverde objects, and has ordered the practice to cease, as he states in an article in the November 14 Arlington Catholic Herald: "...Although no one would be denied communion if he or she knelt, the proper norm is standing and any other posture is really an act of disobedience to what the liturgical discipline is providing".

(http://www.catholicherald.com/loverde/2002homilies/homily1114.htm)

Saint Cloud Bishop John F. Kinney wrote in June 2002 that people should stand during the Eucharistic Prayer ("a 'resurrection' posture"). He said "kneeling visibly expressed reverence in former ages and other places (for example, in the medieval courts of European monarchs). Now, in our culture, standing seems to more clearly express respect and honor".

The diocese produced a set of liturgical directives, bound for reproduction as parish resources for "catechesis", mostly written by liturgist Father Dennis Smolarski, SJ, or "based on" materials on the BCL web site. These publications freely interpret liturgical rules. (In his book Liturgical Literacy, Father Smolarski defines "liturgy" as referring "to any official form of public worship" [p.140]).

The priests of Wichita received a communique from Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted and the Office of Worship in June instructing all the faithful that they "must" kneel from the Sanctus to the Great Amen and they are "encouraged" to kneel after the Agnus Dei. There are many other good signs in the communique. Father Shawn McKnight, STD, is the Director of the Office of Worship and has put together and excellent overview of the principal changes in the new liturgical instructions.

Monterey Bishop Sylvester Ryan, in "The Sign of Unity" - a two part letter published in March on the diocesan web site, invoked his episcopal authority (saying that the GIRM "designates and empowers the diocesan bishop" to regulate the Liturgy). In the letter he forbids people to kneel after the Agnus Dei, and orders people to assume the "orans" posture ("extend the hands in the same way that the celebrant does") for the Our Father, "the opening prayer, the prayer over the gifts and the prayer after Communion". The bishop also expressly forbids genuflecting or kneeling to receive Communion.

Lafayette Bishop William Higi wrote in his columns in May that kneeling "dissents from the mind of the Church", and "rather than reverence, the emphasis will be refusal to embrace particular law approved by the Vatican for the United States".

He expressly forbids any gesture other than a bow of the head: "A person is not to genuflect before receiving nor are they to kneel to receive. Rather, standing before the Eucharistic Minister, they are to bow their head.... If a person chooses to kneel, Eucharistic Ministers of this Diocese will be instructed to say quietly to that individual: 'the proper posture is to stand, please'".

Lincoln Bishop Fabian Bruskewitz is more liberal. He issued a letter this summer permitting Catholics in the Lincoln diocese to either kneel or stand for Communion, and he does does not forbid genuflecting.

The Archdiocese of Boston responded to an inquiry in May, saying that communicants are free to choose their posture for receiving Holy Communion.

Archbishop Thomas Kelly, OP of Louisville issued a directive to parishes, "New Gesture of Reverence Before Receiving Holy Communion", effective the first Sunday in Advent 2002.

An accompanying flyer from a parish expands the "catechesis" on posture of the people during Mass:

"The posture for reception of Holy Communion is to be standing. There are some who prefer to kneel to receive Holy Communion. While no one will be denied Communion if they choose to kneel, for the sake of uniformity throughout the Archdiocese, all are called to 'humble obedience'.

"Remember that we are not 'pick and choose Catholics'. If some can choose to kneel to receive Holy Communion, then why can't others choose to stand for the Eucharistic Prayer?

"The 'gesture of reverence' is a simple bow of the head before receiving the Sacred Host, and also a simple bow of the head before receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice, if one chooses this option.

"There are some who prefer a more solemn sign of reverence, such as a profound bow or a genuflection. Again, for the sake of uniformity, all are called to 'humble obedience'. We are not 'pick and choose Catholics'.

"The communicant is reminded to respond 'Amen' to the words 'The Body of Christ ... the Blood of Christ'. No other response is appropriate, such as 'Thank you' or 'I believe"'.

The directive states that "The USCCB voted that the posture is to be standing and the gesture of reverence will be a bow of the head before receiving both the Body and the Blood of Christ. The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship approved this decision.

The Louisville directive states that during the 10th century "people became so focused on the awesome reality of the presence of Christ in the consecrated Body and Blood that they believed themselves to be unworthy to receive. Awe and reverence dominated over the actual reception of Holy Communion", and it links this with other liturgical issues. "The emphasis on confession before Communion, the fast from midnight, and the age when a child could receive Holy Communion (adolescence), were just a few of the practices that supported this decline of the faithful's reception of Holy Communion".

Not so today. No longer feeling "unworthy", Catholics now "receive the Body of Christ to become the Body of Christ for the world", the directive says.

[Catholicguy]

<> BTW, if the next Pope rescinds The Indult, would you counsel folks to disobey and go to Mass at SSPX Chapels?

Another question, is it only "trads" or "conservatives" who are free to disobey their Liberal Bishops or do liberals and enthusiasts have a similar liberty to disobey Orthodox Bishops?<>

[Catholicguy]

<> Vatican II was a Blessing. All Ecumenical Councils are. How do you folks come together to take decisions that are guided by the Holy Spirit so those decisions will not teach error?

Canon Law continues the ancient practice of designating ALL Fridays as a Universal Day of Penance. If one does eat meat, one is required to substitute another form of Penance. My family continues to be Fish-Heads. What days do you folks set aside for corporate Penance?

There have always been insane folks in the Church. There is nothing new under the sun. As a percentage, I would imagine the true Church attracts fewer cranks, weirdoes, and psychotic folks than do other communions and those they do attract come to us because the Body of Christ is a Spiritual Hospital intended for the halt, the lame, the deaf, the dumb, the insane, the sinful, the drunkards, the whores, and, even insurance salesmen<>

Jesus established His Church upon the Papacy (Matt16:18) and sent the Holy Spirit upon it to Teach it all truth and He said His Universal (Catholic) Church is the Pillar and Ground of Truth and for those within the Body of Christ, all that appears "insane" to others is just the weird Aunts and Uncles of an enormous family:)

Why would anyone think your post disrespectful?<>

[Catholicguy]

CHAPTER II : DAYS OF PENANCE

Can. 1249 All Christ's faithful are obliged by divine law, each in his or her own way, to do penance. However, so that all may be joined together in a certain common practice of penance, days of penance are prescribed. On these days the faithful are in a special manner to devote themselves to prayer, to engage in works of piety and charity, and to deny themselves, by fulfilling their obligations more faithfully and especially by observing the fast and abstinence which the following canons prescribe.


Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.


Can. 1251 Abstinence from meat, or from some other food as determined by the Episcopal Conference, is to be observed on all Fridays, unless a solemnity should fall on a Friday. Abstinence and fasting are to be observed on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.


Can. 1252 The law of abstinence binds those who have completed their fourteenth year. The law of fasting binds those who have attained their majority, until the beginning of their sixtieth year. Pastors of souls and parents are to ensure that even those who by reason of their age are not bound by the law of fasting and abstinence, are taught the true meaning of penance.


Can. 1253 The Episcopal Conference can determine more particular ways in which fasting and abstinence are to be observed. In place of abstinence or fasting it can substitute, in whole or in part, other forms of penance, especially works of charity and exercises of piety.

[ninenot]

Of course posture is not 'substance.' I certainly would not get all exercised over the issue of posture in a war zone--but neither would anyone else.

On the other hand, Bishops who have declared 'kneelers' to be disobedient ARE LIARS. Read the documentation.

I will treat the liars in the way they deserve, and call them liars to their faces.

Polite, non-committal blathering gets one no place, and there's no reason to let them lie. No reason whatsoever.

So, our opinions differ.

[ArrogantBustard]

If Jesus actually appeared at the consecration,

He does actually appear at the Consecration. And I rejoice at His appearance; I love to hear the bells rung vigourously in celebration it.

[Domestic Church]

"Why do you need bells?"

Often my kids can't see the altar clearly(it never fails that someone built like a fullback sits right in front of the youngest) and they just struggle through in faith with the printed words and muffled sound system, so the bells help them and they do listen for them.

[sinkspur]

I'm simply astounded at the number of parishes (if the posters here are to be believed, and there's no reason not to believe them) that still use bells. I've attended five parishes since I've been married (26 years), and nary a ding-a-ling at any Mass, at any of them.

But, I'm for maximum choice for everybody. Latin Masses, English Masses, Inculturated Masses....let a million flowers bloom!

[ninenot]

Thanks for your nicely-tempered remarks.

However, please allow us to 'make a pitch' to get you back. Part of our job, you know....

[ninenot]

ahhhh....Sinky....you're sounding just like the liberal Bishop of Lincoln. He, too, allows all that is allowable...

[sinkspur]

ahhhh....Sinky....you're sounding just like the liberal Bishop of Lincoln. He, too, allows all that is allowable...

Does Bruskewitz allow Indians dancing in full regalia at the Presentation of the Gifts, as Pope John Paul II did in Mexico City?

That is allowable, but Bruskewitz will not allow it.

[ninenot]

I don't think that Bishop B. has a large Mexican Indian parish community in Lincoln.

Inculturation only counts when there's a culture which needs to be served; not like the "thought" pattern of the liturgy club, who will impose culture on anybody at the drop of a hat....and most often, it's an alien culture, which they themselves do not understand.

[ninenot]

So far, so good.

Salvation was won for all by Christ. Not that all will accept it, of course.

I find the Orthodox Jews to be a wonderful group of people, if a touch xenophobic. But they will put their money where their mouth is--see www.jpfo.org for an example.

[sinkspur]

Inculturation only counts when there's a culture which needs to be served;

Any blacks? You should have seen the Liturgy celebrating Martin Luther King Day in our parish last year: the Bishop presided, a Gospel choir from Our Mother of Mercy Parish (Black Parish), and lots of African garb and dancing.

We're the whitest parish in the Diocese.

[Catholicguy]

<> Back at ya:)<>

[Catholicguy]

<> I understand. I not only understand, I respect your virile defense of your opinion - even though is is misguided:)<> I would like to hear from you about the kneeling posture though. You know that kneeling was forced upon folks who for generation after generation had stood. Would it have been right for those folks to revolt, object etc for not being able to worship as did their Grandfathers, Great GrandFathers etc?

Was it wrong for kneeling to have been imposed?<>

[Catholicguy]

<> Your post reminds me of when me and me bride were visiting Indianapolis. We went to a local parish - I forget the name - and we were the only whites there. Other than an extended Kiss of Peace period, there was little to differentiate twixt their Parish and ours in FL.<>

[Aquinasfan]

Poll questions:

What percentage of people in your parish genuflect when walking past the tabernacle? (In our parish I'd put the number at 10%)

How many people do you see genuflecting toward the tabernacle when they enter the Church? (Sadly, in many churches the tabernacle is hard to find).

[Aquinasfan]

Can. 1250 The days and times of penance for the universal Church are each Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.

Thanks.