| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
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| Liturgical Abuses | Tim | Monday, January 28, 2008 |
Question: Living in Brazil, I am amazed at how some Catholic churches are equally used for the pagan Candomble' worship, that Catholic priests allow Candomble' priestesses to "bless" Catholic faithful with popcorn and offer sacrifices to their deities within the walls of the Church, and even participate in their processions for the sea goddess -- and our Pope did not do anything about it even though this is all common knowledge! A "less serious" offense, one priest in my parish, cuts out various Scripture readings on Sundays (the Gospel is always read but he'll cut out sometimes both one reading AND responsorial psalm!) and prefers to lead the assembly in song. He also does not distribute Communion; he remains seated behind the altar. And everyone in Brazil holds hands during the Our Father even though it is concidered illicit. During the "youth" Mass on Sunday evenings, the music is beautiful, but they spend an hour before Mass begins rehearsing in the Church and expect the people who get there early and are there to pray, to sing with them; the singer walking all around with his microphone like some Protestant rock star (even though the music is very reverent and holy!). Is this allowed? I find it so disrespectful to our Lord. Where can one go to complain about liturgical abuses if the bishop doesn't do anything? I have already complained about this priest (esp. cutting Scripture readings) but NOTHING has been done and I doubt it ever will. Given how Brazil is in spiritual CHAOS (the rate of Protestant growth corresponds exactly with the rise in murder and violent crime; there are in fact 53,000 deaths annually from violent crime in Brazil) and our Pope remains silent (coming here last year and pretending Brazil is a Catholic nation with only 30% of Catholics, 30% of "Protestants" -- a figure that includes denominations and cults; and the rest spiritists, atheists and pagans), I guess all I can do is pray. Where is our clergy?!? |
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| Question Answered by Mr. Jacob Slavek
Dear Tim, I know how frustrating things like this can be, but many times there really isn't much that can be done. The Vatican doesn't have a "complaint" department. I suppose if you really wanted you could write them and explain the situation, but I couldn't guess at all what response you would get. The reason being is that it isn't usually the Vatican's job to "police" individual dioceses... that duty belongs to the local bishop, who is of course appointed by the pope. I really would encourage that all concerns be brought to the bishop. As for why Rome doesn't do anything about the problem: Liturgical and theological texts are already VERY CLEAR that these things are unnacceptable. The bishop, as the appointed overseer of the diocese, is to see that all is in union with Rome. By the way I don't know what the specific situation is like in Brazil, but if it is like many other places in the world, it is only a few local parishes that are seriously problematic, which are the ones to get the most of the negative attention. Just one more side note: when complaining about liturgical abuses it is fair to go to the pastor first before the bishop, if for no other reason than to at least hear his side. But ultimately the responsibility lies with the bishop. Oh yes and of course prayer must be mentioned: for your own diocese and then the entire Church. Mr. Slavek Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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