Is liturgical dancing at Mass considered a liturgical abuse?

[swimstud]

Last sunday there were so-called liturgical dancers at mass. They were wearing white thin robes and danced in during the procession with the priest. At the end of the mass a non religious cd was played with the words" come and follow me" (relating to the gospel I guess). Three dancers twirled held up their arms and danced around. At the end the female dancer grabbed the hand of the male dancer and left(I think this symbolized coming to Jesus). My mother and brother did not enjoy it and my brother said it was a liturgical abuse. I could tell that some people behing me had a problem with the dancers too. My question: Is this a liturgical abuse?

 

[Peggy_Frye]

What you describe is a liturgical abuse.

*Notitiae * (Instructions for Sacraments and Divine Worship) Vol. 11, 1975 pp. 202-205 state,

“The dance has never been made an integral part of the official worship of the Latin Church. If local churches have accepted the dance, sometimes even in the church building, that was on the occasion of feasts in order to manifest sentiments of joy and devotion. But that always took place outside of liturgical services.

Conciliar decisions have often condemned the religious dance because it conduces little to worship and because it could degenerate into disorders…

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."
ourladyswarriors.org/teach/litudanc.htm

Thus, liturgical dance is never permitted in the liturgy (in the West), or in assembly areas which are strictly liturgical. Additionally, no one on personal authority may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy (Canon 846). For information on how to address an abuse I recommend the following:

Article: How to Address a Liturgical Abuse by L. Bruno
adoremus.org/1295Bruno.html

Book: *Mass Confusion * by Jimmy Akin
shop.catholic.com/cgi-local/SoftCart.exe/online-store/scstore/p-CB253.html?E+scstore