Church Documents and the People Who Write Them

[TrueLight]

I have seen the Congregation for Divine Worship referenced here as well as their Redemptionis Sacramentum.

What is their role? Are the documents they write infallible? If they are not infallible are we expected to follow them?

What other Church bodies “lay down the law” so to speak. What documents do they write?

Which documents should the faithful be familiar with?

Do those documents lay down discipline that MUST be followed or are they guidelines?

How does one know when a later document has replaced an earlier document, which might mean that a later discipline might replace an earlier one?

What role do the Canons play? How often are they updated?

How does one keep track?

Thanks.

 

[JM3]

newadvent.org/cathen/13147a.htm

vatican.va/roman_curia/index.htm

 

[TrueLight]

newadvent.org/cathen/13147a.htm

Thanks. I haven’t heard of the bodies on that page. Totally new to mr.

vatican.va/roman_curia/index.htm

Do all these bodies make up the Holy See?

 

[JM3]

Do all these bodies make up the Holy See?

newadvent.org/cathen/07424b.htm

 

[Digitonomy]

Keep in mind that the old Catholic Encyclopedia is from 1910 or so. Nonetheless, those articles did look fairly accurate overall. It’s probably worth cross-referencing the groups you’re most curious about with Wikipedia.

Canon law originally existed as a collection of canons over many centuries, which were sometimes overlapping and contradictory. It was first comprehensively codified with an across-the-board abrogation of previous canons in 1917. A new code was issued in 1983, which is what we currently use (although a few changes have been made in a piecemeal way in recent years).

Canon law covers a wide range of rules, as you’ll see if you look at the table of contents. In a case of conflict with liturgical law, I think canon law would prevail, but the realm of liturgical law is mostly left to other documents. The canons are not in and of themselves infallible, although sometimes they will implement an infallible doctrine that might otherwise be vague. Mostly they are just rules and definitions. Example: *514 §2. The pastoral council is to be convoked at least once a year.*This is obviously not an infallible teaching; it may actually be such a poor canon that in the future the pope could change the rule to every 6 months, or every two years, or abolish pastoral councils altogether in favor of some new body. For now, though, it is simply a discipline that we are obliged to obey. So it is also with liturgical law, which is not codified as thoroughly as canon law, and can be found in the Roman Missal, the GIRM, the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, and other instructions from the CDW and other dicasteries, and from the Holy Father.

Several of your questions can be answered by reading the first 20 or so canons from the 1983 code. It’s a bit dry and can be confusing, but I can tell you have a sharp enough mind to tear through most of it.

 

[TrueLight]

A new code was issued in 1983, which is what we currently use (although a few changes have been made in a piecemeal way in recent years).

Thanks for letting me know.

Several of your questions can be answered by reading the first 20 or so canons from the 1983 code. It’s a bit dry and can be confusing, but I can tell you have a sharp enough mind to tear through most of it.

I’ll give it a try.

Nice posting on how I should approach the documents.

Can these documents be purchased in book format?

 

[Phemie]

Thanks for letting me know.

I’ll give it a try.

Nice posting on how I should approach the documents.

Can these documents be purchased in book format?

Some can. There are several different compendia of Vatican II documents.

Also available “The Liturgy Documents, Volume One”, containing

“ROMAN DOCUMENTS”
The GIRM,
“Introduction to the Lectionary”
“Directory for Masses with Children”
“Ceremonial of Bishops (1984 excerpts)”
"Constitution on the Sacred Litugy (which is also a Vatican II document)

and UNITED STATES BISHOPS’ DOCUMENTS
This Holy and Living Sacrifice: Directory for the Celebration and Reception of Communion under Both Kinds (1984)
Music in Catholic Worship (1972, 1983)
Liturgical Music Today (1982)
Environment and Art in Catholic Worship (1978)
Fulfilled in Your Hearing: the Homily in the Sunday Assembly (1982).

The Liturgy Documents Volume Two
ROMAN DOCUMENTS
Dies domini
Paschale solemnitatis
Directory on Ecumenism (excerpts)
Inculturation and the Roman Liturgy
General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours
Dedication of a Church and an Altar (excerpts)
General Introduction of the Book of Blessings.
Comme le prévoit (the guideline for dynamic equivalence translations)

US BISHOPS’ DOCUMENTS
Gods Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching
Plenty Good Room, Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
To Speak as a Christian Community
Criteria for the Evaluation of Inclusive Language Translations of Scriptural Texts Proposed for Liturgical Use

 

[FAB]

I have seen the Congregation for Divine Worship referenced here as well as their Redemptionis Sacramentum.

What is their role? Are the documents they write infallible? If they are not infallible are we expected to follow them?

What other Church bodies “lay down the law” so to speak. What documents do they write?

Which documents should the faithful be familiar with?

Do those documents lay down discipline that MUST be followed or are they guidelines?

How does one know when a later document has replaced an earlier document, which might mean that a later discipline might replace an earlier one?

What role do the Canons play? How often are they updated?

How does one keep track?

Thanks.

Canons are the law and rule of the Church. Not considered infallible and have been changed in the last 40 years. The other documents are also not considered infallible, they fall on the level of disciplinary rules and can be changed.
The document are written by our bishops or doctoral theologians, and go through an approval process in the Magisterium.

 

[benedictgal]

Some can. There are several different compendia of Vatican II documents.

Also available “The Liturgy Documents, Volume One”, containing

“ROMAN DOCUMENTS”
The GIRM,
“Introduction to the Lectionary”
“Directory for Masses with Children”
“Ceremonial of Bishops (1984 excerpts)”
"Constitution on the Sacred Litugy (which is also a Vatican II document)

and UNITED STATES BISHOPS’ DOCUMENTS
This Holy and Living Sacrifice: Directory for the Celebration and Reception of Communion under Both Kinds (1984)
Music in Catholic Worship (1972, 1983)
Liturgical Music Today (1982)
Environment and Art in Catholic Worship (1978)
Fulfilled in Your Hearing: the Homily in the Sunday Assembly (1982).

Actually, some of these documents are outdated. Adoremus has an excellent library of documents from the Holy See pertaining to liturgy:

adoremus.org/ChurchDocs.html

You might also want to read the Apostolic Constitution, Pastor Bonus, promulgated by Blessed Pope John Paul II. It explains the roles of the different congregations within the Holy See. You can find it here:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-index_en.html

In matters of the liturgy, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is the rule-making authority here. That is why documents issued by the CDWDS must be followed.

 

[Phemie]

Actually, some of these documents are outdated.

I realize that. Environment and Art in Catholic Worship, in particular, recommends things that Redemptionis Sacramentum forbids (i.e. consecrating the wine in flagons and pouring during the Fraction Rite). Reference to the importance of building the space to allow for liturgical dance and for the assembly to see one another may help those on diets.

 

[centurionguard]

I realize that. Environment and Art in Catholic Worship, in particular, recommends things that Redemptionis Sacramentum forbids (i.e. consecrating the wine in flagons and pouring during the Fraction Rite). Reference to the importance of building the space to allow for liturgical dance and for the assembly to see one another may help those on diets.

(i.e. consecrating the wine in flagons and pouring during the Fraction Rite).

Kinda makes me wonder if my own Archbishop and Parish Priest are aware of that one?

These days special liturgical dispensations run a-muck.

Oh well C’est la vie.

 

[Phemie]

Kinda makes me wonder if my own Archbishop and Parish Priest are aware of that one?

These days special dispensations run a-muck.

Oh well C’est la vie.

I was less than impressed to see that and glass chalices and bowls instead of ciboria at the Mass celebrated by Archbishop André Richard at the Catechetical Conference. There are no dispensations for their use as far as I know. Even the dispensation for EMHCs to purify the vessels was taken away from the US.

 

[centurionguard]

I was less than impressed to see that and glass chalices and bowls instead of ciboria at the Mass celebrated by Archbishop André Richard at the Catechetical Conference. There are no dispensations for their use as far as I know. Even the dispensation for EMHCs to purify the vessels was taken away from the US.

I know there’s no dispensations or excuses.

You’d be surprised how many Catholics do think there are. Especially if one happens to get in argument with an EMHC. A waste of energy.

As for the glass chalices and ciboria in use today in many parishes its a sad shame.
Especially when you see Archbishops, Bishops, and Priest using them when they should know the GIRM inside out.

Plainly; their in disobedience to the Magisterium of the Church.

 

[TrueLight]

Some can. There are several different compendia of Vatican II documents.

Also available “The Liturgy Documents, Volume One”, containing

“ROMAN DOCUMENTS”
The GIRM,
“Introduction to the Lectionary”
“Directory for Masses with Children”
“Ceremonial of Bishops (1984 excerpts)”
"Constitution on the Sacred Litugy (which is also a Vatican II document)

and UNITED STATES BISHOPS’ DOCUMENTS
This Holy and Living Sacrifice: Directory for the Celebration and Reception of Communion under Both Kinds (1984)
Music in Catholic Worship (1972, 1983)
Liturgical Music Today (1982)
Environment and Art in Catholic Worship (1978)
Fulfilled in Your Hearing: the Homily in the Sunday Assembly (1982).

The Liturgy Documents Volume Two
ROMAN DOCUMENTS
Dies domini
Paschale solemnitatis
Directory on Ecumenism (excerpts)
Inculturation and the Roman Liturgy
General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours
Dedication of a Church and an Altar (excerpts)
General Introduction of the Book of Blessings.
Comme le prévoit (the guideline for dynamic equivalence translations)

US BISHOPS’ DOCUMENTS
Gods Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching
Plenty Good Room, Guidelines for the Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities
To Speak as a Christian Community
Criteria for the Evaluation of Inclusive Language Translations of Scriptural Texts Proposed for Liturgical Use

Wow! Comprehensive list. This is just what I need!

 

[TrueLight]

Actually, some of these documents are outdated. Adoremus has an excellent library of documents from the Holy See pertaining to liturgy:

adoremus.org/ChurchDocs.html

You might also want to read the Apostolic Constitution, Pastor Bonus, promulgated by Blessed Pope John Paul II. It explains the roles of the different congregations within the Holy See. You can find it here:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-index_en.html

In matters of the liturgy, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is the rule-making authority here. That is why documents issued by the CDWDS must be followed.

Thank you!

This is why it gets confusing. Who can keep up with what’s current unless you practically minor in church documents!

 

[TrueLight]

Actually, some of these documents are outdated. Adoremus has an excellent library of documents from the Holy See pertaining to liturgy:

adoremus.org/ChurchDocs.html

You might also want to read the Apostolic Constitution, Pastor Bonus, promulgated by Blessed Pope John Paul II. It explains the roles of the different congregations within the Holy See. You can find it here:

vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/apost_constitutions/documents/hf_jp-ii_apc_19880628_pastor-bonus-index_en.html

In matters of the liturgy, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is the rule-making authority here. That is why documents issued by the CDWDS must be followed.

Thanks for that. Is the acronym pronounced “Cee-Wids”?

I seriously wonder though how many Pastors have time to read these documents. Some are purposefully disobedient, but I suppose some just don’t know.

Is it the Bishop’s job to make sure his priests know the rules?

 

[Phemie]

Thanks for that. Is the acronym pronounced “Cee-Wids”?

I seriously wonder though how many Pastors have time to read these documents. Some are purposefully disobedient, but I suppose some just don’t know.

Is it the Bishop’s job to make sure his priests know the rules?

Let me put it this way: When Redemptionis Sacramentum was published I knew, because of my reading, that it was expected so I downloaded it from the Vatican website and gave it to my Pastor. He read it and immediately stopped consecrating the wine in the flagon with subsequent pouring and he started purifying the vessels himself after Communion since we have no deacon nor instituted acolyte.

The other priest who lived here refused to read it and when he became Pastor he refused to purify the vessels and insisted that it be done by the EMHCs who don’t know any better. He also insisted that I refer to EMHCs as ‘eucharistic ministers’ in the bulletin and other documents, in spite of R.S. pointing out that that the term only applied to priests and bishops.

My present pastor refuses to follow documents (the sacristan actually cried over his refusal to conform to Paschale Solemnitatis) or to purify the vessels himself and he insists that it is the EMHCs’ “right” to give Communion. He admits to letting lay people do the funeral rites within a Requiem Mass because “we have to show that they are allowed to lead a funeral rite”.

Yes, it’s up to the bishop to ensure that his priests are doing things properly. Unfortunately, when they are visiting the parishes they are often the ones celebrating Mass so they often don’t see how their priests don’t follow the rubrics. Our Pastor always distributes the Host to the altar servers and EMHCs before he receives. They then all consume the Host at the same time as he does. That’s forbidden but our bishop will never see that when he comes to the parish. He may be puzzled to see that the servers don’t immediately consume the Host but unless he remembers to ask after Mass he won’t know what the problem is.

 

[Corki]

I have seen the Congregation for Divine Worship referenced here as well as their Redemptionis Sacramentum.

What is their role? Are the documents they write infallible? If they are not infallible are we expected to follow them?

I think most of the rest of your questions have already been addressed but I don’t see this one yet.

The CDW deals almost exclusively with the rubrics and the regulation of the different liturgical events in the Church (Mass, weddings/funerals, LOTH, etc.). As such, what they publish does not fall under the category of infallibility. What they publish is almost always directly approved by the Pope and is authoritative. That means we are absolutely expected to follow them.

Thank you!

This is why it gets confusing. Who can keep up with what’s current unless you practically minor in church documents!

At the diocisan level, there is a parallel department or committee that keeps up with all the CDW updates and whose job it is to keep priests and other responsible parties (ie cantors, deacons, seminary rectors, etc.) informed and trained. The Vatican publishes all the updates as well as the questions and answers that come to them for clarification. The diocisan liturgy department has the responsibility to make sure that any relevant information gets passed on.

Although you got a huge list of resources, they have been published over decades. It’s not like there’s a new set of rules every few months. RS and the revised GIRM were the first major publications in a long time regarding how the Mass is celebrated.

 

[laszlo]

Infallible statements are possible only about unchangeable, eternal things: like the nature of God, Trinity, Incarnation, Holy Virgin, the Sacraments. The Liturgy is changeable, and the Church has the right to change it as She wants

Statute book the Codex Iuris Canonici exists only since 1917. Before that the Church legal system was like the one in the US: common Law, in the Church even w/o Bill of Rights like the one in the Constitution. Traditionally the bishps, and since the 13th Century the Holy Inquisition has unlimited rights over the people.

The CIC was updated only once in 1983. No update is planned now.

 

[Phemie]

The CIC was updated only once in 1983. No update is planned now.

There have been a few changes since, most notably on those canons pertaining to the marriage of those who have formally left the Church.