Commentary
Throughout its history, the Catholic Church has developed a rich form of liturgical worship, both east and west, which is a testament to its universality. In the West, a form of mass known as Latin or Roman Rite developed. Its origins can be traced back to the apostolic era, and its shape remained essentially unchanged for centuries until it was replaced by the Novus Ordo (new form) of Mass in 1969.
The church has a broad and very false belief that the Second Vatican Council, held between 1962 and 1965, ordered the change to Mass. This is obviously not the case.
As the council stated in the liturgical document, Sacrosanctum (Constitution of the Liturgy): “The Church of Our Lady believes that all legally recognized ordinances have equal rights and dignity. She will save them in the future and raise them in every way. I want to. “
This took into account the various rituals of the Eastern Catholic Church, as well as the many nuances that existed at the time in the form used by religious orders and local churches and regions.
In addition, it was the council’s clear wish to “maintain the use of Latin in ceremonies” and to give pride in the liturgical service of the ancient music of this language, Gregorian chant and polyphony. It maximizes the purpose of the sacred music set by the church. The glory of God, the sanctification of believers, the delight of prayer, the promotion of unity, and the awarding of greater solemnity to divine rights. “
In fact, the liturgy was “carefully and thoroughly revised in the light of a healthy tradition” to make it more suitable for our time.
Despite the introduction of the new Mass, traditional rituals have survived and have achieved rapid growth, especially among the youth, over the last 40 years or so.
First, let me state here that it is not my intention to outlaw Novus Ordo Mass. On weekdays, I often attend the Novus Ordo Mass. All my sacrament was celebrated in Novus Ordo, and yes, it can be celebrated very enthusiastically and with prayer.
However, there is one indisputable fact since its implementation. As the Second Vatican Council declared, the masses are not at the top of the life of the Church, but the claims to modernization, except for parishes and orders that are faithful to tradition, doctrine, and the teaching profession of the Church. , Leading to a decrease in the congregation (teaching).
I believe this is a major source of frustration for Pope Francis and his fellow travelers, and therefore a strict crackdown on tradition.
Last year, the Pope issued a “motu proprio” (document). Traditionis CustodesDemands restrictions on traditional Latin Misa celebrations. Further documentation dealing with its implementation, Responsa Adduvia (Answer to Question) outlined these restrictions. This means that many priests are forbidden to say traditional mass and can only celebrate in a limited environment.
All this has been done in the name of fostering “unity” in the church.
Archbishop Roche of the Congregation for Divine Affairs, who is responsible for the publication of these documents, has in the past “normal form” (ie, Novus Ordo), There’s a lot to learn from the extra form And the latter is “a valid expression of the liturgy of the church.”
However, the Traditionis Custodes and Responsa tenors are completely inconsistent with these public statements and fail in two respects from the point of view of this peer. Their legality.
While attending a traditional mass, I have never met people in the church who wanted to cause division. That is suggested by Traditionis Custodes. On the contrary, I know that many joyful (especially young) people love their faith and stand square in the teachings of the church’s teaching profession.
As far as I can see, the traditional Mass is not a division, but a source of unity in the church. People in the Latin Mass community are keen to be part of the universal church, not away from it.
As I have observed, traditional masses also draw people to the church. Inspired by the love of faith and the law of prayer, which is the law of faith, the church finds a sacred sense there that makes it possible to give to children. The best gift they can give, the gift of faith.
These are just such people, and I think they are a source of growth and a living witness of life-giving faith, so the Church is eager to attract them. They should be encouraged and endorsed, not discouraged.
Since the liturgical reforms after the Council, there has always been a question of the Pope’s authority to change the ritual. Again, I don’t mean to look down on Novus Ordo, but rather show that the restrictions on traditional Mass are questionable legitimacy.
As a great theologian and literary figure of the 20th century, Monsignor’s Klaus Gamber observed in his work. Roman liturgical reformThe argument that the Pope has the authority to change the Mass is based on the idea that he has the “perfect and supreme power” of the Church derived from the First Vatican Council. It is spread all over the world. “
But, as Gumber shows, this “discipline” never applies to the liturgy that the Pope has repeatedly observed over time. This is based on the apostolic tradition. Therefore, as Gumber points out, “rituals cannot fall into the discipline and rule of the Church.”
Moreover, there is no single document containing canon law. There is a particular statement there that the Pope has the authority to abolish in his function as the highest minister of the church (and therefore expansion, restriction) traditional rituals. Gumber cites St. Gregory the Great in this regard. “As long as the church is one belief, different ritual customs will not harm her.”
He further states that this “perfect and highest power” has other limitations. That is, the Pope is obliged to follow the universal tradition of the church. As mentioned in the opening paragraph, the history of the Church’s liturgy shows that Mass has not changed essentially from the time of apostolic succession to post-ecumenical reform.
Pope Paul VI, after first banning the traditional Mass celebration, probably realized that such a ban was invalid and allowed it to be used in England and Wales, after which Archbishop Marcel Rufebvre Allowed to be used by the Society of Saint Pius X. Suitable for limiting traditional mass.
St. John Paul II allowed more celebrations to be held in 1984 and 1988 (recommended to be a “legitimate desire”), and Benedict XVI had full rights to the traditional liturgy. I have recovered.
Since these initiatives, as mentioned in the previous section, more traditional mass-related communities and seminaries, more frequent attendance of believers, and unexpected spiritual lives for many young people and many families. I found the driving force of.
Therefore, it is Papa Bergorio and Archbishop Roche who pretend to be false and cause division. That’s it for “Fratellitutti” and inclusiveness!
I conclude by quoting the words of the former Apostle Nuncio to the United States. Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò: “With Tradition is Custodes Responsa should simply be ignored and returned to the sender. They must be ignored as it is clear that their intention is to punish the Catholics who remain faithful, disperse them, and extinguish them. “
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
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Rocco Loiacono is a senior lecturer and translator from Italian to English at Curtin University Law School in Perth, Australia. His work on translation, linguistics, and law is widely published in peer-reviewed journals.