Centuries ago, Martin Luther said that taking away the mass would signal the end of the church. His foresight is best captured in a controversy pitting the traditional catholic mass and the new one. Introduction of this new version has split Catholics into conservatives and modernists. This concern has received attention over the years with contesting views hinged on formation and personal inclination.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
Modernization calls did not begin with the Vatican II. St. Athanasius dealt with similar challenges in the fourth century. He penned a letter to the faithful at that time urging them to resist the dilution that comes with modernization. These changes, in his words, would only cripple the body of Christ.
The old order, referred to as Trindentine, is supported since it had taken centuries to curve. Dismantling it by the stroke of a papal declaration would be erroneous. Conservatives are alive to the fact that the faithful owe the pope blind obedience. His Extraordinary Magisterium allows him to institute such changes, but they must not be at the expense of its essence or form.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
Before the Eucharistic celebration begins, the priest would perform the rite of consecrating water for sprinkling to the faithful. It was mixed with salt and a defined psalm sung as the priest sprinkled the water on the congregants. There was a different dress code for the main celebrant from that of co-celebrants.
The priest placed the chalice on the credence table upon reaching the altar. This was performed with the back on congregants. This position is also adopted by altar servers, deacons and co-celebrants. It is considered a major departure since with the current version, the priest and his team faces the congregants. A set antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
The effects of introduction of this new order appear to border a disaster other than helping the church. Since the 1960s, there has been a dramatic decline in numbers within the global Catholic Church. Vocations have also dwindled to a trickle causing concern among the masses. The debate has shifted to the possible effects of reverting to the old order. Conservatives wonder if reverting would reverse this trend.
Vatican II was pivotal in instituting the new order of Eucharistic celebration. Those supporting the previous order are concerned that the ecumenism introduced has led to falsification of faith. It has diluted the belief and created a new look church, different from what has existed over centuries. Restrictions should be placed on implementation of these proposals since they are taking the church in the wrong direction.
Modernization calls did not begin with the Vatican II. St. Athanasius dealt with similar challenges in the fourth century. He penned a letter to the faithful at that time urging them to resist the dilution that comes with modernization. These changes, in his words, would only cripple the body of Christ.
The old order, referred to as Trindentine, is supported since it had taken centuries to curve. Dismantling it by the stroke of a papal declaration would be erroneous. Conservatives are alive to the fact that the faithful owe the pope blind obedience. His Extraordinary Magisterium allows him to institute such changes, but they must not be at the expense of its essence or form.
The entry of a new version did not mean that the old one was to be abandoned. The pope formed a commission that was to advise him on the best way forward. The difference can be felt in the order of mass and arrangement at the altar. These differences make the two versions distinct.
Before the Eucharistic celebration begins, the priest would perform the rite of consecrating water for sprinkling to the faithful. It was mixed with salt and a defined psalm sung as the priest sprinkled the water on the congregants. There was a different dress code for the main celebrant from that of co-celebrants.
The priest placed the chalice on the credence table upon reaching the altar. This was performed with the back on congregants. This position is also adopted by altar servers, deacons and co-celebrants. It is considered a major departure since with the current version, the priest and his team faces the congregants. A set antiphon is recited before the sign of the cross.
A lot of changes were instituted regarding the communion. It was only administered by priests. In the current version, lay people and revered nuns are allowed to administer. People knelt when receiving and it was only received using the tongue and not hands. The removal of tabernacles from the center is another drastic departure that has raised eyebrows among conservatives. It appears like dilution of the centrality of communion for the Catholic faithful.
The effects of introduction of this new order appear to border a disaster other than helping the church. Since the 1960s, there has been a dramatic decline in numbers within the global Catholic Church. Vocations have also dwindled to a trickle causing concern among the masses. The debate has shifted to the possible effects of reverting to the old order. Conservatives wonder if reverting would reverse this trend.
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