Can bishops permit liturgical dance

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I was at a diocesan event today at which a Mass was held with multiple bishop in attendance. The diocesan bishop himself wasn’t at this particular Mass, but he certainly knew about it. I was a little surprised to see liturgical dancing taking place during the Mass. They danced during the procession and as the gifts were being brought up.

I was under the impression this wasn’t permitted, but I am wondering if it is something the local bishop has the authority to allow? I’m not necessarily against it in itself – I think dancing can be a beautiful form of spiritual expression. I also feel that if there are rules about what is supposed to happen at Mass, those rules should be respected, But, is something a local bishop can decide to permit in his diocese, in general or for special occasions?
 
Cimachol said:
I was at a diocesan event today at which a Mass was held with multiple bishop in attendance. The diocesan bishop himself wasn’t at this particular Mass, but he certainly knew about it. I was a little surprised to see liturgical dancing taking place during the Mass. They danced during the procession and as the gifts were being brought up.

I was under the impression this wasn’t permitted, but I am wondering if it is something the local bishop has the authority to allow? I’m not necessarily against it in itself – I think dancing can be a beautiful form of spiritual expression. I also feel that if there are rules about what is supposed to happen at Mass, those rules should be respected, But, is something a local bishop can decide to permit in his diocese, in general or for special occasions?
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In 1975 it was stated by Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship: “If the proposal of the religious dance in the West is really to be made welcome, care will have to be taken that in its regard a place be found outside of the liturgy, in assembly areas which are not strictly liturgical. Moreover, the priests must always be excluded from the dance.”

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANCE.HTM
 
Vico said:
In 1975 it was stated by Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship: “If the proposal of the religious dance in the West is really to be made welcome, care will have to be taken that in its regard a place be found outside of the liturgy, in assembly areas which are not strictly liturgical. Moreover, the priests must always be excluded from the dance.”

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CDWDANCE.HTM
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But that brings up an interesting point. Would immigrants from places that have liturgical dance,(like many places in Africa for instance, although by no means everywhere there). Could they get a dispensation from the Holy See for permission to have it in those places where these folks are a large immigrant community?
 
adamhovey1988 said:
But that brings up an interesting point. Would immigrants from places that have liturgical dance,(like many places in Africa for instance, although by no means everywhere there). Could they get a dispensation from the Holy See for permission to have it in those places where these folks are a large immigrant community?
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The Zaire Use was approved in 1988 for some. Missel romain pour les diocèses du Zaïre.

At this time the faithful would be standing, and they would stand until the end of the opening prayer.60 The ministers in the procession are to move to the rhythm of the song up to the altar, while the faithful dance in place. The PGDZ says this is to “express the participation of the whole body in prayer.”61 This speaks to the Africans’ desire for worship to embrace and celebrate Creation and the human body. As the procession gets to the altar, those in the procession, with the exception of the priest, gather around the altar. The priest goes behind the altar facing the people and bows. All those in the semicircle remain in a profound bow while the presider raises his hands in a “V” form and touches every side of the altar with his face.62 After this, and the incensation of the altar, all go to their proper places.

Dance is described. Perhaps a personal parish could use it?

digitalcommons.csbsju.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1015&context=obsculta

Introduction from the document above contains:
The Zaire Usage represents a high water mark in liturgical experimentation and inculturation after Vatican II. As the only complete non-experimental inculturated Eucharistic celebration approved after Vatican II, the Zaire Usage is an anomaly, and the likelihood of another usage or rite being formed in today’s current ecclesial climate is extremely unlikely. Thus, the Zaire Usage is a special product of post-conciliar creativity and compromise.
 
Cimachol said:
I was under the impression this wasn’t permitted, but I am wondering if it is something the local bishop has the authority to allow? I’m not necessarily against it in itself – I think dancing can be a beautiful form of spiritual expression. I also feel that if there are rules about what is supposed to happen at Mass, those rules should be respected, But, is something a local bishop can decide to permit in his diocese, in general or for special occasions?
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I see two questions here. Number one, it may indeed not have been permitted. However, I would think that short of a directive from Rome, a bishop *could *allow this. He is the competent authority of the liturgy in his diocese, after all. No canon lawyer, or even the USCCB can override that authority.

I sure hope we aren’t going down this road again though.
 
ctb95 said:
That was truly cringeworthy.
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Strange fire, indeed.

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not commanded them.

Leviticus 16:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they were slain upon their offering strange fire:

Numbers 3:4 Now Nadab and Abiu died, without children, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the desert of Sinai: and Eleazar and Ithamar performed the priestly office in the presence of Aaron their father.

Numbers 26:61 Of whom Nadab and Abiu died, when they had offered the strange fire before the Lord.
 
Casilda said:
Strange fire, indeed.

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abiu, the sons of Aaron, taking their censers, put fire therein, and incense on it, offering before the Lord strange fire: which was not commanded them.

Leviticus 16:1 And the Lord spoke to Moses, after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they were slain upon their offering strange fire:

Numbers 3:4 Now Nadab and Abiu died, without children, when they offered strange fire before the Lord, in the desert of Sinai: and Eleazar and Ithamar performed the priestly office in the presence of Aaron their father.

Numbers 26:61 Of whom Nadab and Abiu died, when they had offered the strange fire before the Lord.
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You can’t just resurrect your own personal interpretation of what ancient Jews may or may not have done. Christian liturgy must be formed within the context of Christian tradition. That procession leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. Even if it wasn’t foreign to Catholic praxis, it’s just so corny and embarassing. No straight Anglo-Saxon male could be comfortable in that room.
 
twf said:
You can’t just resurrect your own personal interpretation of what ancient Jews may or may not have done. Christian liturgy must be formed within the context of Christian tradition. That procession leaves a very bad taste in my mouth. Even if it wasn’t foreign to Catholic praxis, it’s just so corny and embarassing. No straight Anglo-Saxon male could be comfortable in that room.
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I would.

My corniness receptors deployed warning signals a little bit, but a Mass is a Mass. Ultimately, what matters is that it is valid and that it is licit. We have objective criteria to know whether or not a Mass would be in anyway offensive to God, and that is rooted in obedience. His Excellency has the power - given by Jesus Christ through the Bishop of Rome - to permit such a Mass. Obedience is what pleases God and what is “a fragrance to my (The Lord’s) nostrils”.
 
Cimachol said:
I was at a diocesan event today at which a Mass was held with multiple bishop in attendance. The diocesan bishop himself wasn’t at this particular Mass, but he certainly knew about it. I was a little surprised to see liturgical dancing taking place during the Mass. They danced during the procession and as the gifts were being brought up.

I was under the impression this wasn’t permitted, but I am wondering if it is something the local bishop has the authority to allow? I’m not necessarily against it in itself – I think dancing can be a beautiful form of spiritual expression. I also feel that if there are rules about what is supposed to happen at Mass, those rules should be respected, But, is something a local bishop can decide to permit in his diocese, in general or for special occasions?
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Are you at the LA Religious Education Congress? All my workshops have been in the arena.
 
TK421 said:
I would.

My corniness receptors deployed warning signals a little bit, but a Mass is a Mass. Ultimately, what matters is that it is valid and that it is licit. We have objective criteria to know whether or not a Mass would be in anyway offensive to God, and that is rooted in obedience. His Excellency has the power - given by Jesus Christ through the Bishop of Rome - to permit such a Mass. Obedience is what pleases God and what is “a fragrance to my (The Lord’s) nostrils”.
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Obedience? My archbishop certainly doesn’t require me to participate in such a corny display of 1970s psychedelic gaiety. I would be very shocked if such a thing has ever happened in my archdiocese. We still receive communion kneeling at the altar rail at our cathedral - yes in the Novus Ordo :D. So I don’t see where obedience factors in here.
I think we can still express our preferences. I find that display nauseating. Its not meant as an insult against any particular individual… that’s my honest reaction to it.
 
This is what Cardinal Arinze the former Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine on Faith said on Liturgical dance during a public Q & A.

**…'Dance is not known in the Latin Rite of the Mass. Our congregation has considered it for years, there is no major document of the church on that. But the directive we give from our congregation is this…“in the strict liturgy, that means the Mass, the Liturgy and the Sacraments, Europe and America should not speak of liturgical dance at all because dance as it is known in Europe and America is not part of worship…so they should forget it and not talk about it at all BUT it is different for Africa and Asia.”…

" we think that for people in North America and Europe the dance should NOT enter the liturgy at all and the people discussing liturgical dance should spend that time praying the Rosary."**

Watch full answer below (7min video)

youtube.com/watch?v=9rJFdmmqj_s
 
mikeeh said:
Are you at the LA Religious Education Congress? All my workshops have been in the arena.
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Exactly. I was at a Celtic Mass on Friday that was being said by a visiting Irish bishop, who was being assisted by several other bishops.
 
SAVINGRACE said:
This is what Cardinal Arinze the former Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine on Faith said on Liturgical dance during a public Q & A.

**…'Dance is not known in the Latin Rite of the Mass. Our congregation has considered it for years, there is no major document of the church on that. But the directive we give from our congregation is this…“in the strict liturgy, that means the Mass, the Liturgy and the Sacraments, Europe and America should not speak of liturgical dance at all because dance as it is known in Europe and America is not part of worship…so they should forget it and not talk about it at all BUT it is different for Africa and Asia.”…

" we think that for people in North America and Europe the dance should NOT enter the liturgy at all and the people discussing liturgical dance should spend that time praying the Rosary."**

Watch full answer below (7min video)

youtube.com/watch?v=9rJFdmmqj_s
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I had seen this statement in my pre-posting research, but if I recall this statement is a few years old, so I wasn’t sure if it was still current. I also wasn’t sure if the cardinal was giving an opinion or a rule, and if that rule was one that would “trump” the authority of local bishops. (I think this sounds argumentative, which I don’t intend. I am just trying to understand where a bishop’s authority stands in relation to the rubrics.
 
Cimachol said:
I was at a diocesan event today at which a Mass was held with multiple bishop in attendance. The diocesan bishop himself wasn’t at this particular Mass, but he certainly knew about it. I was a little surprised to see liturgical dancing taking place during the Mass. They danced during the procession and as the gifts were being brought up.

I was under the impression this wasn’t permitted, but I am wondering if it is something the local bishop has the authority to allow? I’m not necessarily against it in itself – I think dancing can be a beautiful form of spiritual expression. I also feel that if there are rules about what is supposed to happen at Mass, those rules should be respected, But, is something a local bishop can decide to permit in his diocese, in general or for special occasions?
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The short answer to your question is that, yes, it is admissible under the criteria that were present for this event.
 
Don_Ruggero said:
The short answer to your question is that, yes, it is admissible under the criteria that were present for this event.
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Good to know. Are there any resources you might recommend for understanding this better?
 
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