New Vatican document condemns
liturgical abuses
Vatican, Apr. 23 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican Congregation for
Divine Worship has released the long-awaited new document,
Redemptionis Sacramentum, calling for careful compliance
with the Church's norms for the celebration of the Eucharist.
The new document was prepared by the Congregation for Divine
Worship in conjunction with the Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith. It received final approval from Pope John Paul II (bio -
news) on
March 19, and was signed by Cardinal Francis Arinze (bio -
news), the
prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, on March 25, the
feast of the Annunciation.
The full text of
Redemptionis Sacramentum
is available on the Vatican web site.
Last March, when he released his encyclical Ecclesia de
Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II said that a new document,
devoted to juridical norms for the Eucharist, would soon follow.
Redemptionis Sacramentum was evidently delayed by serious
disagreements within the Roman Curia about the content of the
text.
Although the new document does not contain any new teaching, it
does contain a vigorous denunciation of many widespread liturgical
abuses. The document forcefully condemns the practices of priests
who change the established forms of the liturgy, or
extemporaneously compose their own Eucharistic prayers. There is
also a clear and detailed argument against the routine use of
extraordinary ministers to distribute Communion.
The purpose of the new document, the Congregation for Divine
Worship explains, is "to assure a deeper appreciation of the
liturgical norms." The introductory section of Redemptionis
Sacramentum states that "it is not possible to be silent about
the abuses, even quite grave ones," in the liturgy. "In some
places," the document notes, "the perpetration of liturgical
abuses has become almost habitual, a fact which obviously cannot
be allowed and must cease."
Liturgical abuses are sometimes prompted by a false understanding
of freedom, or by ignorance of the faith, the document states.
Redemptionis Sacramentum also notes that "well-intentioned"
ecumenical efforts also sometimes result in abuses.
Any abuse "is a real falsification of the Catholic liturgy," the
Congregation writes, citing the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Redemptionis Sacramentum repeatedly emphasizes the right of
the Catholic faithful to proper liturgical conduct, and urges
bishops to be diligent in curbing liturgical abuses.
Among the abuses specifically cited in the document are:
· The habit of
some priests to "take upon themselves the right to compose their
own Eucharist Prayers"-- a practice that it "not to be tolerated."
· The use of
musical instruments or singing during the Eucharistic Prayer.
· The breaking of
the host at the time of Consecration-- which the document said
should be "reprobated and is to be corrected with haste."
· Preaching at
Mass by anyone other than an ordained priest or deacon.
· The scheduling
of First Communion for children who have not yet made their first
confession.
· Excessive
commotion associated with the Sign of Peace. The document suggests
that the faithful should extend the Sign of Peace only to those
immediately around them; the priest is instructed to remain in the
sanctuary.
Redemptionis Sacramentum also contains reminders of
some rights that are occasionally ignored. The document points out
that "priests are always and everywhere permitted to celebrate
Mass in Latin." And there is an explicit statement that the
faithful may not be denied Communion solely because they wish to
kneel when they receive the Eucharist. The document contains a
strong endorsement of private devotion to the Eucharist, and says
that bishops should "diligently foster Eucharistic adoration." And
while acknowledging that bishops may allow female altar servers,
Redemptionis Sacramentum indicates that it is "altogether
laudable to maintain the noble custom" of altar boys.
For American Catholics, the most noteworthy part of
Redemptionis Sacramentum might be the entire section devoted
to the role of extraordinary ministers. "Only out of true
necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of
extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy," the
document reads. It goes on to make it clear that "true necessity"
should be defined strictly:
Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may
administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking,
when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some
other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to
Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be
unduly prolonged. This, however, is to be understood in such a way
that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and
culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.
Redemptionis Sacramentum sternly denounces priests
"who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from
distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons."
And it specifies that any such ministers should be identified as
an "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and not “special
minister of Holy Communion,” nor “extraordinary minister of the
Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist"-- because the
use of improper terminology could obscure the crucial distinction
between lay people and ordained ministers.
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