MERGED: Is this allowed?/Gospel Interruption/Lay Gospel readers

[Spelling]

Which part of the GIRM do you think requires interpretation rather than just straightforward reading? Only such article springs to mind and it was very clear in the 1975 one, much less so in this one because of the addition of a few words.

One right off the top of my tired brain would be who can access the tabernacle during the Mass. Some steadfastly declare that only priests (not even deacons) can access the tabernacle during Mass based on the GIRM.

That’s not the intent of the GIRM. While it’s clear that’s not the GIRMs intent, my opinion means absolutely nothing – certainly no more or less than those who steadfastly claim only priests may access the tabernacle during the Mass.

However my bishop’s opinion means and great deal and he has said that access during Mass is not limited to priests…

Another more germane example would be proclaiming the Gospel. Not until RS did the Church prohibit laypersons from proclaiming the Gospel yet many would claim the prohibition has long existed based on the GIRM.

 

[benedictgal]

One right off the top of my tired brain would be who can access the tabernacle during the Mass. Some steadfastly declare that only priests (not even deacons) can access the tabernacle during Mass based on the GIRM.

That’s not the intent of the GIRM. While it’s clear that’s not the GIRMs intent, my opinion means absolutely nothing – certainly no more or less than those who steadfastly claim only priests may access the tabernacle during the Mass.

However my bishop’s opinion means and great deal and he has said that access during Mass is not limited to priests…

Another more germane example would be proclaiming the Gospel. Not until RS did the Church prohibit laypersons from proclaiming the Gospel yet many would claim the prohibition has long existed based on the GIRM.

Actually, Spelling, it has. Please note what the General Introduction to the Lectionary (1981) states:

1. Liturgical tradition assigns responsibility for the biblical readings in the celebration of Mass to ministers: to readers and the deacon. **But when there is no deacon or no other priest present, the priest celebrant is to read the Gospel86 and, when there is no reader present, all the readings.87

1. It pertains to the deacon in the liturgy of the word at Mass to proclaim the Gospel, **sometimes to give the homily, as occasion suggests, and to propose to the people the intentions of the prayer of the faithful.88

As far as the bishop is concerned, his primary function is to ensure that the prescriptions, norms and rubrics set forth by the Holy See (and as adapted by his particular national episocopal conference) are carried out and obeyed. The GIRM only allows him so much leeway. This is what he can do:

1. The Diocesan Bishop, who is to be regarded as the high priest of his flock, and from whom the life in Christ of the faithful under his care in a certain sense derives and upon whom it depends,148 must promote, regulate, and be vigilant over the liturgical life in his diocese. It is to him that in this Instruction is entrusted the regulating of the discipline of concelebration (cf. above, nos. 202, 374) and the establishing of norms regarding the function of serving the priest at the altar (cf. above, no. 107), the distribution of Holy Communion under both kinds (cf. above, no. 283), and the construction and ordering of churches (cf. above, no. 291). With him lies responsibility above all for fostering the spirit of the Sacred Liturgy in the priests, deacons, and faithful.

A huge part of that promotion entails obedience to the Holy See.

 

[benedictgal]

No.

That’s why the bishops exist.

I remember reading on one of these forums where one of the posters asked a question of the CDWDS. Sure enough he got a response. I had to laugh out loud at the thought of telling my bishop that he was doing things wrong. That according to a letter sent to an anonymous posting on CAF, he had to change his existing procedure in order to be in compliance with the Church.

Actually, it is the responsibility of the faithful. According to Redemptionis Sacramentum:

[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 favoritism.

[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.

I do not consider this, with all due respect, to be a laughing matter.

 

[Phemie]

Another more germane example would be proclaiming the Gospel. Not until RS did the Church prohibit laypersons from proclaiming the Gospel yet many would claim the prohibition has long existed based on the GIRM.

Not so.

The Gospel has always been restricted to ordained ministers. The 1975 GIRM, which predates RS by 29 years, in article 66, says that “readers are instituted to (yes, it says reader, not lector) proclaim the readings from Scripture, with the exception of the Gospel” which the GIRM says is the role of the Deacon.

Can you show me anything between 65 & 75 that was ambiguous and gave anyone the idea that lay readers could proclaim the Gospel?