Do we worship the cross with the same worship as almighy God?

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una_fides

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I’m having difficulty understanding the Good Friday service of the Adoration of the Cross. I read the Catholic Encyclopedia article on this topic, and from what I understand, St. Thomas Aquinas as well as many other theologians concluded that we adore the cross with the same adoration reserved to God alone (latria), and they attributed this teaching to sacred Tradition (Summa Theol., III, Q. xxv, aa. 3 and 4). However, the second Council of Nicea forbade the worship of latria to be given to anyone except to God himself and that the cross and other images and relics should be venerated but not worshiped with latria. In addition, on Good Friday for the Adoration of the Cross service, we genuflect to the cross, when genuflecting is reserved also only to the Blessed Sacrament (GIRM 274). So do we worship the cross with latria or do we just venerate it? Also since the Good Friday service is called the “Adoration of the Cross” are there different degrees of “adoration”? I’ve always heard that the word adoration is the worship reserved for God, and the word veneration signified the reverence given to saints and sacred images and relics.

I am concerned because to me it seems that to worship the cross itself with latria is like a type of idolatry. I do not doubt the authority of the Church, instituted by Christ for our salvation. I am just trying to piece these things together and understand her teachings and practices on this matter. If you could please help, I would really appreciate it!
 
Hi,

If the word ‘adoration’ is used regarding the cross, it is used as a matter of hyperbole. It cannot be used literally with regard to anyone or anything other than God. Certainly, the cross, apart from the Lord’s self-donation on it, would not be seen as anything other that an instrument of execution such as the way we look at the gas chamber or electric chair. It is only His love that has transformed the cross into the holy symbol that it is for us.

Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.
 
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