The day that the actions of Jesus become irrelevant and are superceded by liturgical norms (which incidentally are not normative throughout the rest of the worldwide church) is the day that religion becomes more about man made law than Christlike actions
You are twisting what I said.
Well the Catholic Church in the UK has no problem with blessing people at all. The gospel tells us Jesus remonstrated with the disciples who turned children away from him. Is this a US issue. We are supposed to become closer to Jesus not to be sperated from him. The people are the church with God at it’s head. Rules are often changed, not enacted, ignored or different in different countries. There has to be a degree of common sense. I do not believe that any of the Church’s rules were ever put in place to distance God from anyone who seeks what ever form of communion or contact with him. If they do well then it’s time we revisited them. A little like we revisited many rubrics of the Mass for example. Nothing is immutable in a living church
You’re twisting the situation.
However as you can see the Church in different parts of the world does different things so it is not written in tablets of stone as you suggest if some Bishops’ Conferences allow it or even encourage it. You may find some of my thoughts ‘frankly ridiculous’ however I believe I make some fair points about Jesus’ actions and ongoing changes and developments within the church. For example the role of the Parish Priest in Pre-Norman England was usually passed from father to son. Some things change (for better or worse) the fact that some of us resist change is just human nature. Blessing people is a good thing in my opinion. If it’s forbidden are all the wise bishops worldwide in error. Maybe we should suspend them all. Blessing people in church. What a scandal!!!
Every time you post you’re merely twisting and manipulating things to suit yourself.
The celebration of the Mass varies extremely widely and always has done. I would like to think that another word for ‘twisting and manipulating’ as you so oddly put it is debate. Even the Curia has a devil’s advocate. I understand that our Church is not a democracy but when you make comments such as ‘the Church decides’ we clearly have different visions of what the church is. I personally was very pleased that the Pope invited church members to make their views known in the recent questionaire.
Again, nothing but twisting and manipulating. You aren’t debating anything. You’re just throwing things out there that have nothing to do with making personal changes to the Mass.
Haven’t you realised that FrDavid96 in this thread is a priest. He has already said that going up for a blessing is NOT the liturgical norm.
We can debate with priests too you know. The Bishops in the UK have decided it’s to be encouraged and they are priests too. Liturgical norms vary all over the world.
You can debate with anyone about anything but you cannot say something is not the liturgical norm when it is even though you do not like it.
The priests in our city (in Oregon) often make an announcement for people at Mass, if they are so inclined, to come forward for a blessing at Communion time. I think its common in the U.S., as in Great Britain and Canada. Depends on the diocese, probably. Kind of trend over the past eight years or so.Thank you all for the responses.I think I’ll play it safe and remain in the pew during the celebration of the Eucharist.
liturgyoffice.org.uk/Resources/GIRM/Documents/CTM.pdf Paragraph 212 Yes England and Wales is seperate
I just think it’s incredibly sad that this member has to ‘play it safe’ and not step forward for a blessing.The priests in our city (in Oregon) often make an announcement for people at Mass, if they are so inclined, to come forward for a blessing at Communion time. I think its common in the U.S., as in Great Britain and Canada. Depends on the diocese, probably. Kind of trend over the past eight years or so.
Thistle and Fr.Dave are commenting on this topic that it is incorrect form, and I wouldn’t disagree with them, but recall the old saying, “…when in Rome, do as the Romans…” (or some such). If the priest at the Thanksgiving Mass invites people forward, go for it. Some day, the bishops will get it all clarified.
I attended High Anglican services with an Anglican friend one time and enjoyed it.
Because that’s not the time for blessings. It’s that simple.
The document is a pastoral guide. It has no authority, except where it actually quotes the liturgical norms.
It’s just like any other law. There is a difference between what the law says and what people actually do. The fact that it’s being done does not make it legitimate.
If our Bishops choose this approach who are we to take a contrary position. I’m very content with a pastoral approach