Because in the old days, the priest and the people faced together in the same direction towards God, whereas, now they are turned in towards each other (man centered) and celebrating themselves.
The fact remains, leaving aside all passions and arguments, that Vatican II never decreed that the priest should face the people at Mass.
"Because in the old days, the priest and the people faced together in the same direction..."
I agree.
"...towards God,"
I don't know about that.
Where is God?
They may have been facing East, but God is also West (and South and North, and up and down too).
They were facing the altar, which was at the back of the altar area. I don't know that that's "facing God".
Given that the Host is God, it seems to me that wherever the Host is, even if held aloft between the priest and the people, when the people face the host, and when the priest faces the host, they're both still facing God.
I understand the symbolism you are getting at and don't disagree with it.
But there is also symbolism in what I am speaking about too, which should not simply be brushed aside.
"...whereas, now they are turned in towards each other"
That is certainly true.
"(man centered)"
That's not how I see it. I see it as all focused on the Host.
"...and celebrating themselves."
Well, I certainly am not doing THAT at Mass!
"The fact remains, leaving aside all passions and arguments, that Vatican II never decreed that the priest should face the people at Mass."
I agree. It was an unfortunate oversight on my part to have cut that piece of additional text, because it was not related to the question I wished to ask.
not so. I go to the NO and I don't celebrate or worship my pastor nor does he celebrate or worship me