Liturgical Abuses and no help from Bishop - where to go?

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There is a parish not far from my house where I recently attended the Lifeteen Mass. Among other things, the priest added one or two words to the prayer of consecration, invited at least 20 teenagers to come up on the altar before the Eucharistic prayer began, still getting vested as he comes in (no procession) and gives a two minute talk about teenage stuff and then says, “ok are you guys ready to begin, in the name of the Father and of…” - he does not sit in the celebrant’s chair but rather in the front pew during the Liturgy of Word. He said the words of consecration with the hosts in a clear glass container. No altar candles were lit. This was so far from what the Church has being doing for centuries and so irreverant. This is sending the wrong message about our Church to the teens and to the adults who particpate in this radical liturgy. Why do all these priests and bishops have so much innovation in the liturgy? The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should not be the arena for personality. The Church has remained unified for 2000 years by celebrating the Liturgy together the same way. I can’t help but believe that central to this crisis is the lack of belief in the Real Presence. The music @ Lifeteen is the LAST thing that bothers me. I have seen Lifeteen Masses celebrated reverently. My ultimate question is, knowing that our bishop will not take any direct course of action on this, what are my options in the Church to correct the liturgical bomb that is going on at this parish. I would rather do this anonymously as its not important that I make these my personal interests, as they are the interest of the entire Church. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
 
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uponthisrock:
There is a parish not far from my house where I recently attended the Lifeteen Mass. Among other things, the priest added one or two words to the prayer of consecration, invited at least 20 teenagers to come up on the altar before the Eucharistic prayer began, still getting vested as he comes in (no procession) and gives a two minute talk about teenage stuff and then says, “ok are you guys ready to begin, in the name of the Father and of…” - he does not sit in the celebrant’s chair but rather in the front pew during the Liturgy of Word. He said the words of consecration with the hosts in a clear glass container. No altar candles were lit. This was so far from what the Church has being doing for centuries and so irreverant. This is sending the wrong message about our Church to the teens and to the adults who particpate in this radical liturgy. Why do all these priests and bishops have so much innovation in the liturgy? The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should not be the arena for personality. The Church has remained unified for 2000 years by celebrating the Liturgy together the same way. I can’t help but believe that central to this crisis is the lack of belief in the Real Presence. The music @ Lifeteen is the LAST thing that bothers me. I have seen Lifeteen Masses celebrated reverently. My ultimate question is, knowing that our bishop will not take any direct course of action on this, what are my options in the Church to correct the liturgical bomb that is going on at this parish. I would rather do this anonymously as its not important that I make these my personal interests, as they are the interest of the entire Church. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
First while all are regretable, I believe I emboldened the only actualy liturgical abuses.

Given the you want to remain anonymous and that neither the pastor or bishop will fix things, I would move on to another parish where you will be nourished.

At this point in time, Rome certainly isn’t going to step in unless there were horribly grave abuses such as throwing away an “excess” consecrated hosts or dumping “excess” Precious Blood down the sewer.
 
Three people/places to contact:

His Excellency, the Most Rev. Gabriel Montalvo Higuera
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
3339 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC USA
(202) 333-7121
FAX - (202) 337-4036

and

His Excellency, the Most Rev. William J. Levada
Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith
Piazza del S. Uffizio 11, 00193
Rome, Italy
cdf@cfaith.va

and

His Eminence, Francis Cardinal Arinze
Prefect of the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
Palazzo delle Congregazioni, 00193
Roma, Piazza Pio XII, 10

These are the three offices for you to contact if your bishop has refused to help you. Keep metriculous records and include any refusal to address abuses with your correspondance.

Good luck and God Bless you for fighting the good fight.

Adam
 
and remember it is a duty per RS:

181.] Whenever the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments receives at least a plausible notice of a delict or an abuse concerning the Most Holy Eucharist, it informs the Ordinary so that he may investigate the matter. When the matter turns out to be serious, the Ordinary should send to the same Dicastery as quickly as possible a copy of the acts of the inquiry that has been undertaken, and where necessary, the penalty imposed.

[182.] In more difficult cases the Ordinary, for the sake of the good of the universal Church in the care for which he too has a part by virtue of his sacred Ordination, should not fail to handle the matter, having previously taken advice from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. For its part, this Congregation, on the strength of the faculties given to it by the Roman Pontiff, according to the nature of the case, will assist the Ordinary, granting him the necessarydispensations[289] or giving him instructions or prescriptions, which he is to follow diligently.
  1. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters
[183.]** In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.**

[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful,** has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff**.[290] It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.

CONCLUSION

[185.] “Against the seeds of discord which daily experience shows to be so deeply ingrained in human nature as a result of sin, there stands the creative power of the unity of Christ’s body. For it is precisely by building up the Church that the Eucharist establishes fellowship among men.”[291] It is therefore the hope of this Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments that also, by the diligent application of those things that are recalled in this Instruction, human weakness may come to pose less of an obstacle to the action of the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist, and that with all distortion set aside and every reprobated practice removed,[292] through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, “Woman of the Eucharist”, the saving presence of Christ in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood may shine brightly upon all people.

[186.] Let all Christ’s faithful participate in the Most Holy Eucharist as fully, consciously and actively as they can,[293] honouring it lovingly by their devotion and the manner of their life. Let Bishops, Priests and Deacons, in the exercise of the sacred ministry, examine their consciences as regards the authenticity and fidelity of the actions they have performed in the name of Christ and the Church in the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy. Let each one of the sacred ministers ask himself, even with severity, whether he has respected the rights of the lay members of Christ’s faithful, who confidently entrust themselves and their children to him, relying on him to fulfill for the faithful those sacred functions that the Church intends to carry out in celebrating the sacred Liturgy at Christ’s command.[294] For each one should always remember that he is a servant of the Sacred Liturgy.[295]

All things to the contrary notwithstanding.
 
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Chalice:
First while all are regretable, I believe I emboldened the only actualy liturgical abuses.
While you did not in fact highlight all the abuses, the most glaring omission was overlooking the priest inviting the teens around the altar. This is a LifeTeen practice that has been specifically repressed.

For the OP: If charitable persuasion of the priest and then bishop fails to correct the situation, your only remaining channel is to contact the Cardinals and Archbishop listed above. However, since it is hard for curial officials to be certain of charges half the world away, I would compline evidence to send along with the complaint - photographs, documentation of when and where (persistent) abuses occurred with several witnesses, the sort of stuff that will be convincing enough to act on.
 
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Chalice:
First while all are regretable, I believe I emboldened the only actualy liturgical abuses.
invited at least 20 teenagers to come up on the altar before the Eucharistic prayer began
This is a Liturgical Abuse as well. The Sanctuary during Mass is reserved for the priest, deacon and any ministers while performing their defined roles.

“Teen Audience” is not defined ministerial role
 
It is really pathetic that anybody would be getting bent out of shape over the way the Mass is being conducted. Just let it slide by if there is something in the Mass that you do not like. That is what I do if there is something that the Priest does or says that I disagree with. I just let it slide by. Life is too short to be getting bent out of shape over nothing. Getting bent out of shape over things is stressful and stress causes major health problems.
 
Mark Danich:
It is really pathetic that anybody would be getting bent out of shape over the way the Mass is being conducted. Just let it slide by if there is something in the Mass that you do not like. That is what I do if there is something that the Priest does or says that I disagree with. I just let it slide by.
I’m gonna have to disagree with this. In fact, I’m gonna have to go a step further and say that it is your attitude regarding Liturgical abuses that is pathetic. It is this attitude which promotes these abuses. If the self-centered priests who offer these abuse-filled Masses are hearing from people (like you) that Liturgical abuses are no big deal to them then they will continue offering their illicit Masses and strive to be even more creative in coming up with new Liturgical abuses.
Mark Danich:
Life is too short to be getting bent out of shape over nothing. Getting bent out of shape over things is stressful and stress causes major health problems.
The Church says that we have a right to an abuse-free Mass. It is not a matter of getting bent out of shape. It is a matter of simply requesting what we have a right to.

Christ’s faithful have the right that ecclesiastical authority should fully and efficaciously regulate the Sacred Liturgy lest it should ever seem to be “anyone’s private property, whether of the celebrant or of the community in which the mysteries are celebrated”
  • Redemptionis Sacramentum 18
It is the right of the Christian people themselves that their diocesan Bishop should take care to prevent the occurrence of abuses in ecclesiastical discipline, especially as regards the ministry of the word, the celebration of the sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and devotion to the Saints.
  • Redemptionis Sacramentum 24
God bless,

James
 
Mark Danich:
It is really pathetic that anybody would be getting bent out of shape over the way the Mass is being conducted. Just let it slide by if there is something in the Mass that you do not like. That is what I do if there is something that the Priest does or says that I disagree with. I just let it slide by. Life is too short to be getting bent out of shape over nothing. Getting bent out of shape over things is stressful and stress causes major health problems.
Liturgical Laws - Why They Matter
 
Mark Danich:
It is really pathetic that anybody would be getting bent out of shape over the way the Mass is being conducted. Just let it slide by if there is something in the Mass that you do not like. That is what I do if there is something that the Priest does or says that I disagree with. I just let it slide by. Life is too short to be getting bent out of shape over nothing. Getting bent out of shape over things is stressful and stress causes major health problems.
Mark, a while ago I might have agreed with you, but a recent experience at a Mass reinforces why this liturgical abuse stuff is so important.

I visited a local parish that is for a nearby university and was appalled at what I saw.

Here’s the abuses I saw:
  1. The introduction of “Friendly Time” between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist: 5 minutes to chit chat with those around you… Ummmm, yeah. I thought the Church was to be a silent place of reflection and preparation for receiving Christ, not a social hall.
  2. Self-intinction of the Host and Precious blood by parishoners…clearly an abuse and clearly verboten: we RECEIVE communion, we don’t TAKE it.
  3. The priest not genuflecting while doing the Consecration…betrays a lack of respect, clearly.
  4. Having the congregation sing with the priest: “Through Him, In Him, With Him, In the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours almighty Father, forever and ever.” This is the high point of the Mass, not a time for a singalong…
There were others, too, but the point I’m trying to make is: we have these liturgical norms for a reason. They ensure the sanctity and dignity of the Mass, and when people begin to see them as “suggestions” rather than “norms to be followed”, the whole intent and meaning of the Mass is greatly diminished.

I’m definitely grateful for being a member of a conservative, orthodox parish!

Blessings,
JP Augustine
 
Take your video camera to Mass next time, burn a copy and send it to the Bishop. If he doesn’t respond, send it to the Vatican. Make sure you specify the date, the priest’s name, parish and city.

A picture’s worth a thousand words.
 
Mark Danich:
It is really pathetic that anybody would be getting bent out of shape over the way the Mass is being conducted. Just let it slide by if there is something in the Mass that you do not like. That is what I do if there is something that the Priest does or says that I disagree with. I just let it slide by. Life is too short to be getting bent out of shape over nothing. Getting bent out of shape over things is stressful and stress causes major health problems.
What is pathetic is the attitude that abuses do not matter. That you consider it nothing is not only pathetic but truly sad to have so little respect for what the mass is.
 
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Brendan:
This is a Liturgical Abuse as well. The Sanctuary during Mass is reserved for the priest, deacon and any ministers while performing their defined roles.

“Teen Audience” is not defined ministerial role
A great number of people use the label “liturgical abuse” on things that are NOT abuses. They certainly aren’t “good” and they most certainly are irregular, but they are not “abuses.”

Take a look at RS. The Vatican won’t take action on any of the items listed in the first post. RS is very clear what sort of actual abuses the Vatican WILL take action on.
 
Dr. Bombay:
Take your video camera to Mass next time, burn a copy and send it to the Bishop. If he doesn’t respond, send it to the Vatican. Make sure you specify the date, the priest’s name, parish and city.

A picture’s worth a thousand words.
The Vatican wouldn’t take action on a single one of the “abuses” detailed in the first posting…
 
First, I would talk to the Priest himself, try it. Perhaps give him a copy of the new G.I.R.M. (general instructions for the rubics of the Mass.) If you feel the need to remain annonymous, mail him a letter with a copy of it. I personally would talk to him in person, I think he would appreciate it and also you would need to come across as concerned, not just some complainer looking for a reason to complain. But I would start with him first. Then the Bishop, then if no response, then go above him. But honestly, talk with the Priest himself first. (you could get up and light the candles, perhaps no one else thought to.) Perhaps this Parish is in need of a fund raiser that the teens could be a part of to buy a Precious medal Chalice. (Just a thought.) I think we all need to be a part of the solution, not just picking apart the Mass and complaining, especially if we are going to do it annoymously. (Think of how you might think someone a coward and not take any action if they mailed you a note telling you that they didn’t like the way you cut your grass or something, know what I mean?) Now I know the Mass is to be prayed reverently, and that you have identified some things that need to be addressed, but please do it in person in a nice way. (I am not trying to make light of this and compare cutting grass to the Mass, just using an example of how you might be taken more seriously if addressed in person in a kind way.)
 

It’s seems I’m reposting this all over the forums this morning. Sorry to be redundent.​

Our bishop was of retirement age. Our diocese was very abuse ridden. We launched a final campaign to lobby for an orthodox replacement. We launched a website and some in our group gathered up all of the documentation and examples of abuses over the years (actually, a lot of it was recent since we were always being expose to it) and burned it onto a multi-media CD. It had video of clown masses, awful diocesan letters, letters to us from our Bishop, etc., etc., etc. They sent it off to many offices in Rome including the Pope, Cardinal Ratzinger’s office, Congragation of Bishops, etc., the Papal Nuncio. A few months later we were assigned a GREAT bishop. We wondered for a few months if anything we did helped and then Cardinal Ratzinger called a priest friend of ours to his office and asked him if he knew the people who were lobbying for an orthodox replacement. He vouched for us and Cardinal Ratzinger told him to tell us that the CD was the biggest thing to ever hit Rome and that everyone (presumably even the Pope) had seen it and it had been passed around. He also said we should spread this method to others. We had another independent confirmation of the success of the CD when one of us was vacationing in Rome. They ran into a friend who had a priest from the Congregation of Bishops with him. They were introduced as being from our diocese and the first words out of this priests mouth were “Are you the ones who put together that CD?” He said it was very helpful to see first hand what was happening in our diocese. If anyone else would like more info, please PM me.
 
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allhers:
First, I would talk to the Priest himself, try it. Perhaps give him a copy of the new G.I.R.M. (general instructions for the rubics of the Mass.) If you feel the need to remain annonymous, mail him a letter with a copy of it. I personally would talk to him in person, I think he would appreciate it and also you would need to come across as concerned, not just some complainer looking for a reason to complain. But I would start with him first. Then the Bishop, then if no response, then go above him. But honestly, talk with the Priest himself first. (you could get up and light the candles, perhaps no one else thought to.) Perhaps this Parish is in need of a fund raiser that the teens could be a part of to buy a Precious medal Chalice. (Just a thought.) I think we all need to be a part of the solution, not just picking apart the Mass and complaining, especially if we are going to do it annoymously. (Think of how you might think someone a coward and not take any action if they mailed you a note telling you that they didn’t like the way you cut your grass or something, know what I mean?) Now I know the Mass is to be prayed reverently, and that you have identified some things that need to be addressed, but please do it in person in a nice way. (I am not trying to make light of this and compare cutting grass to the Mass, just using an example of how you might be taken more seriously if addressed in person in a kind way.)
GIRM = General Instruction of the Roman Missal
 
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Chalice:
The Vatican wouldn’t take action on a single one of the “abuses” detailed in the first posting…
I didn’t realize we had a spokesman for the Holy See posting on our board.

My apologies, Eminence. :tiphat:
 
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