Complaining about abuses

[Mysty101]

Hi,

I have been thinking a lot since RS, and see many very well intentioned people here, who are quite distressed with the delays in implementation.

Just remember a few things, before you grab the pen and return receipt request PO form.

If you are planning on staying in your Parish please, please talk to your Pastor informally before doing anything. Just ask a few questions about the document and his thoughts on it. Try to be friendly, yet respectful—you do not want to get him on the defensive.

If he says that he is waiting for instructions from the Bishop, either just accept that answer, or call the Bishop’s office (also informally, even anonymously if no one asks your name) and just ask a few questions there.

Remember everything else in the Church takes a long time, so this “immediately” would only be probable if the Vatican sent instructions and staff for the procedure changes, while ensuring that every parishioner were contacted and also provided the new sacred vessels, if they are needed.

Also remember (especially in the changes for consecrating and distributing the Precious Blood) the pouring of the Precious Blood is a procedure being reprobated, which was under question by the USCCB. It is not some off-the-wall blatant abuse. It was allowed before RS. Your Pastor may be caught in the discussion between the Bishop and the Vatican, but may not want to discuss that aspect of the situation.

Of course you are within your right to complain, and some even consider it your obligation, but perhaps a few informal questions or discussions may produce better results. Remember no one likes a subordinate telling him what to do, even when it is the right thing, especially when he is in the middle of working out the changes already.

If your Pastor seems unwilling to discuss it, write him an informal note. Wait a little while and ask him if he read it (just asking him if he got it may not be sufficient–ask him specifically if he read it) At this point he may be willing to discuss it, but he may not. Even if he does not wish to discuss it with you, this does not mean he is not considering your point. Then wait again and see if anything changes. If nothing changes, tell him that you wish to discuss this, and also tell him that if he refuses to discuss it, you feel obligated to go over his head. All these steps may or may not help the problem, but it is important to respect you pastor as your spiritual leader as well as a human being.

 

[Crusader]

You provide some good comments about dealing with the subject of liturgical abuse in a tactful manner, and following the chain of authority. I would like to add a few more comments.

First for many years I have heard the excuse that the “spirit of Vatican II” allows whatever liturgical abuse was being discussed. That excuse seemed to become so overused and so inflammatory (not to mention erroneous) that it was finally discontinued (at least around here) but not before causing a great deal of anger and resentment.

For a while we then heard the excuse: “but the GIRM (and RS) are simply guidelines. We celebrate the liturgy based on the needs of our local community.” This excuse was never really accepted from the very beginning from I can see, but it was still used to delay reform.

With the Church under a microscope due to the problems of homosexual rape and child molestation, real reform seems very possible within the Church in the USA.

However, because the tide is now turning, I can sense growing anger and resentment from those who have spent their adult lives actively introducing and cultivating liturgical abuse within the Church.

While it’s always preferrable to keep reform on a genteel plane, that’s not always possible. In some cases real reform is going to require metaphorical combat…

 

[Mysty101]

I agree that any abuse must be addressed, but I will try to make my efforts as effective and charitable as possible. I would rather a slow success than a swift failure.

And I would NEVER write the Bishop without first discussing it with my Pastor. If I can’t give him that much respect, I would go to a diferent parish.