For 2,000 years in the Church, we have had both great saints who encouraged people to be faithful to God’s laws and terrible examples who have brought scandal. You cannot lump all the clergy together as if all liturgical abuse is equally committed by each member of the clergy. There are many members of the clergy who have suffered greatly for following Canon law and insisting that it be followed, though really that have done no more than their duty.
I didn’t mean to suggest that my question concerned all priests. I love our priests and do not want to be critical of them in a personal way, rather my concern is for the message being sent by those few that see fit to do things their way could be confusing to those of us in the pews.
A religious sister should not be “preaching” during the time reserved for the homily; she cannot preach a homily because in order for it to be a homily, it must be preached by a deacon, a priest or a bishop, and a homily must be given on each Mass celebrated with the people on all Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation. Even a bishop may not dispense from this law, since the law concerning the homily is what is known as constitutive law, and it is beyond his competency to dispense from such law. Nevertheless, it is commonplace to see such abuses as you mentioned during “mission” Sundays, or even to have the TV rolled out for a bishop’s appeal during the time reserved for the homily. Though its prudence can be argued, such things could be done under current liturgical law before Mass, after the Post-Communion prayer, or after the Mass itself, but not during the time reserved for the homily and in place of it.
This is not a “stop the world I want to get off” issue. In the overall scheme of things, no one got hurt and it seems almost trivial to even bring it up. At the same time, by dispensing with a real sense of propriety for the Mass, there is a danger of irreverence and pride seeping in.
Before a man is ordained, he must make a solemn promise to God to obey Canon law (which includes Liturgical law) and insist that it be obeyed. This is known as the Oath of Fidelity. It’s difficult to see how the deliberate breaking of this is not gravely sinful. If you feel comfortable following a member of the clergy when he commits an act that is objectively of grave matter, then I guess you don’t need to remain committed to the teachings on faith and morals from the magesterium. Just be aware that you may be following him to eternal damnation.
Two wrongs never made a right! I get it, Father. I really wasn’t referrring to one being obstinate. I am not defending the Catholic that says, “If the priest can do this, then I don’t have to believe that”! No, I believe that it can cause confusion as to the nature of church teaching. Exactly how much is a Catholic required to be faithful to the teachings given the laxity exhibited by the priest?
Here, when necessary, we must follow the words of our Lord, making the appropriate substitutions for, “Pharisees” and “Moses”:
“The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice.” (Mt 23: 2-3)
99.9% of what our priests do for us is wonderful. Again, I don’t want to be petty or unfair. I do love our priests and I will continue to pray for them. Sometimes we expect our priests to be perfect and often, that is unfair.
So how do I expect the faithful to remain committed to the teachings on faith and morals from the magesterium when even the clergy seems to ignore the form listed in the GIRM? By advising that one follow the Lord, and not put his trust in the example of any particular member of the clergy. The Lord has given the Church the power to bind and to loosen, and to interpret infallibly matters of faith and morals. He did not give its clergy the gift of impeccability. The challenge of scandalous clergy began with Judas, and we will not see its end until the Second Coming. So, when you see members of the clergy not following the Church’s laws, pray for them, but do not follow their example.
Thank you for your thoughtful response, Father. And thank you for your fidelity to our faith. Please remember my pastor at you next Mass.
