Amen. We are to walk worthy of our vocation.
Posted on 09/23/2003 7:50:20 AM PDT by presidio9
No dancing in the aisles or applause in church, please, we're Catholic. And we'd prefer altar boys to altar girls.
Those are some of the warnings contained in the draft of a document the Vatican (news - web sites) is preparing to crack down on what it considers "liturgical abuses" of the mass, the focus of Roman Catholic worship.
According to the authoritative Italian Roman Catholic monthly magazine "Jesus," a draft document urges the faithful to notify their bishop or the Vatican to report suspected abuses.
The magazine released an advance text of the article which will feature in its October edition.
If issued in its draft form, the document, known as a directive, could have wide-ranging ramifications on some worship practices that have come into common use in many developed countries, particularly the United States and in western Europe.
According to the magazine, the draft says the use of girl altar servers should be avoided "unless there is a just pastoral cause" and that "priests should never feel obliged to seek girls for this function."
The Vatican in 1994 gave individual bishops the power to decide whether to allow altar girls in their dioceses. But some conservative Catholics are against altar girls, saying their presence has eroded a traditional recruiting ground for priests.
Traditionalists have also seen altar girls as a foot in the door to a female priesthood, which the church bans.
Italian media reported that the initial reaction to the draft, circulated to the world's bishops, has been negative and the document may have to be at least partially modified.
The draft document also discourages applause during masses and "dances inside the sacred building."
Ironically, Pope John Paul (news - web sites)'s sermons during masses, even those in St Peter's Basilica, are often interrupted by applause.
Some of the pope's masses in Rome and around the world have included dancing, particularly those celebrations marking Asian, African or Latin American events.
The document, drafted by two Vatican departments which oversee doctrine and liturgy, was ordered by the pope who will eventually have to approve a final version.
The draft also warns against the use of non-Biblical language during the mass, such as readings from poets.
It discourages the practice where the faithful receive the wafer and wine at communion.
Catholics believe Christ is present in the wafer and wine but the document says it is preferable just to receive the wafer.
"Self-service" communion is also frowned upon. This appeared to be a reference to the faithful taking the consecrated host directly from the chalice instead of receiving it on their tongue from the hand of a priest.
Amen. We are to walk worthy of our vocation.
Well, you seem to have some idea that the "spirit" may move people to act in inappropriate ways during Catholic Masses. We are saying that the "Spirit" does no such thing. We're not restricting you from doing whatever you want to in your own services. We're just outlining what the "spirit" will move people to do appropriately.
That was blasphemy.
You're the one suggesting he can't control himself, and that whatever action is taken is the "spirit's" doing. How often do you lose all control of yourself?
SD
I'm very sure that JPII would DEFINITELY OPPOSE zero tolerance for priests accused of pedophilia, which is what we've gotten into now -- many priests are accused falsely, many accusations are from 30 years ago of priests who are definitely reformed with 30 years clean living or never guilty in the first place. Zero tolerance is an evil policy in itself.
Again, you show yourself to be very much uninformed. No, make that partially informed -- a little information is a dangerous thing, since you don't seem to get the full story.
If you were never taught the connection between the Cross and the Eucharist, then you were ill-educated. You are not alone in this, the main effect of the post-Vatican II "spirit" seeming to be the failure to transmit the faith to the younger generation.
SD
Alrighty then.
You're the one suggesting he can't control himself, and that whatever action is taken is the "spirit's" doing. How often do you lose all control of yourself?
He's not controlled by the machinations of mere man. But if I am to walk with Christ, I had better "lose all control" of myself and let Him have complete control.
I am sold out to Jesus.
John 3:30 - He must increase, but I must decrease.
So blame them! (not the Church). If one of those nuns drove broadside into your car in the church parking lot, would you blame the Roman Catholic Church for that too?
You're so content in your dissatisfaction, you don't want to forgive and move on. But wallowing will get you nowhere.
Generally, money is now the object of the 1st Commandment for them.
There is such as thing as cultural Catholicism--which is a rendering of Right Order in the world. There is not much of that floating about in the USA.
Exactly right. Christ associated with prostitutes after all.
And you think this includes laughing and clapping and dancing at inappropriate times?
SD
I would agree that demonstrations of praise, which should be directed toward the Lord, should not be directed toward man. I would also agree that coming together to worship as the body of Christ is a time to focus our heart, mind and soul on the Lord. Having said that, is it so wrong to at times show some appreciation for the work and talents of others during a church service e.g., during announcements?
I don't think so.
The letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit (of Chirst) gives Life!
Roman Catholics consecrate churches for worship. It ain't 'just a building' anymore.
SD
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.