New priest is ruining Mass...what do I do?

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bethanysamuel

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Ok, we have a new priest and I’m sure he’s a lovely person and obviously he’s created by God so I must treat him with respect.
But…onto his behaviour: He doesn’t geuflect properly; he kinda rolls his head, he wears irreverent clothes(pants falling down and shirt hanging out), he doesn’t say Mass, he SHOUTS Mass to the point where your ears hurt and you can’t concentrate. Everyone kinda jumps when he enters to begin Mass because he’s so loud. He refuses to use the sound system and shouts his way through Mass instead. Then, at the Consecration, the most important part in my eyes, he goes berserk with the Eucharist, shaking it in the air and bellowing the words to the point where I just cannot concentrate on such a Divine moment. He’s ruining the Mass and I don’t know what to do. Why wont he use the sound system? How can I deal with this maturely? The Mass has started to turn into a comedy show because he’s making such a spectacle of himself. Any advice would be good, thanks.
 
First and foremost I would strongly suggest you Pray — Pray for yourself and for your new parish Priest.

Second maybe you should discuss a few concerns with your new parish Priest (without “ganging up” on him or without complaint).

How many days, weeks, months, etc. has he been there? If not long than give him a chance.

Does the new parish Priest have a physical disability? Maybe, he was in an accident? or sprained/strained a body part? I’m only asking because maybe this is why he cannot geuflect properly.

Take care,
goforgoal
 
Most Catholics have a degree of respect for Catholic priests because they are seen as God’s chosen representatives on earth. But, like the rest of us, Catholic priests are human too, and it is this imperfection that you are dealing with.

While a Catholic may or may not care for a particular priest because of his personality or demeanor, he or she is bound to respect a priest because of their position as God’s mediator. But-- the buck stops there. Based on the situation you describe, it appears the priest is out of control–especially if other parishioners feel the same way you do.

When a priest falls, it is good to pray for them. When a priest abuses his priviledge to serve at Mass, a Catholic must consider reporting him to a higher authority. Everyone (Catholic or not) must in good conscience do what is right. That is what being a Catholic or Christian is all about. It’s not a popularity contest, but following in Jesus’ footsteps. This situation clearly needs prayer and action. Please talk to your fellow parishioners and see if you can get some kind of support so that intervention can take place immediately. Jesus said, “where two or more are gathered, there am I in the midst of them.”

Even if the priest were to be found blameless by a higher authority, at least a Catholic would have the peace of knowing that he or she did the right thing in the eyes of God. And that should be all that matters.

God Bless
 
I would say prayer is in order. First thank God you have a priest and a place to worship. Pray for some patience. Pray for different eyes, that you may see your priest as Christ sees him. If your priest is really new he may be struggling. You get the idea.
 
Thanks. I hadn’t consisered the fact that he may have a disability and cant genuflect. He is obese so maybe he can’t bend low, but elderly parishioners who can’t kneel due to hip replacements or whatever at least give a head bow rather than a head roll. The obesity could be connected to pants falling down but there are plenty of people in the world who get big clothes to match their size, and we’re only talking about black trousers.
It’s the loudness that affects us most though. I mean, I can look away from him but I can’t block out the sound. And the Consecration always seems to become about him, not Jesus. I really want to be able to just go to Mass normally.
I know all priests have their own style but this is extreme. I haven’t said it to other parishioners yet. I do need to do something I just don’t want to hurt the priest’s feelings. It’s unfair to parishioners though
 
bethanysamuel said:
Thanks. I hadn’t consisered the fact that he may have a disability and cant genuflect. He is obese so maybe he can’t bend low, but elderly parishioners who can’t kneel due to hip replacements or whatever at least give a head bow rather than a head roll. The obesity could be connected to pants falling down but there are plenty of people in the world who get big clothes to match their size, and we’re only talking about black trousers.
It’s the loudness that affects us most though. I mean, I can look away from him but I can’t block out the sound. And the Consecration always seems to become about him, not Jesus. I really want to be able to just go to Mass normally.
I know all priests have their own style but this is extreme. I haven’t said it to other parishioners yet. I do need to do something I just don’t want to hurt the priest’s feelings. It’s unfair to parishioners though
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Have the courtesy to talk to the priest instead of coming into a public forum complaining about him!
 
I sympathize with the poster. Do the lay organizations of the parish conclude the same as you?

Wouldn’t you think an interested Bishop would have a trusted aide or layman travel around and report back to lock down these less than perfect sacrifices.

…‘the King that does not rule is soon disposed’…
 
About an hour ago I was talking to a neighbour who said he’d give me a lift home later after Mass. I said thanks and he said what do you think of the new priest. I said I’ve got nothing against him personally but I find it very hard to concentrate due to his loudness especially during the Consecration. He said oh yeah he shouts the house down he’s very loud. I left it there coz I didn’t want to cause scandal by tempting the neighbour to get into a gossippy conversation. If he hadn’t asked me I might not have mentioned it but I was answering his question honestly. Anyway the point is I’m not the only person who’s noticed this. I really don’t know what the best thing is. Anyway thanks for all the replies.
 
Have you ever considered talking to your priest alone? Maybe he’s just not aware of some of the things he’s doing or maybe his old church couldn’t afford a sound system.
 
That’s a possibility, although I know where he came from and I doubt there’s no sound system there but it’s possible. Thanks for pointing that out.
 
The priest at my parents’ parish sounds just a bit like the one you describe-- he walks with an uneven gait, can’t always kneel properly (depends on his day), and is extremely loud. To look at him standing still, though- you’d never know. He has an inner ear condition which causes these problems-- it throws him off balance. This priest is very much loved and is one of those people who absolutely glow with the light of Christ.

I work in a nursing home, so my immediate thoughts upon reading your description of the priest ran along the lines of what kinds of ailments might cause each of these behaviors. If his head bow before the alter is more of a head roll, maybe he has a neck issue and that’s the best he can do. His carrying on over the consecration might seem out of place to you, but maybe he is simply carried away in the moment.

The way I see it, you have several choices: change masses/parishes, report him to a higher up, speak to him directly, try to get to know him and determine if these are disabilities or personality quirks, or try to learn to accept him for the unique person that God created him to be.

It’s easy for me to say that I would try to accept him, but I’m not there to witness his actions in person, so I honestly don’t know what I would do in that situation other than pray. Best wishes to you!
 
But when you see him and his shirt is hanging out, obviously this would not be on the altar as he must be wearing his vestments. Still, it does make one wonder and if I did that just being a layperson, I could appreciate it if someone gently corrected me on my appearance.
 
Thanks Amy, maybe he does have an ear problem affecting his balance and a neck problem or something. He is extremely overweight which makes me reluctant to say anything to him regarding anything related to his bodily behaviour incase its related to weight+he’s embarrassed.
Its the sound thing really. You know what you said about him getting carried away, well yeah maybe he does get caught up in the moment, its just everyone gets distracted. I think this will take a lot of patience at least, and careful thought.
 
Sound systems can be overwhelming to some, especially those who aren’t around them much. Perhaps being new, he has no idea how to use it and nobody has offered to show him?
 
Have you ever heard CHRISTIAN CHARITY?

JESUS I TRUST IN YOU

jim roberts
 
bethanysamuel said:
Ok, we have a new priest and I’m sure he’s a lovely person and obviously he’s created by God so I must treat him with respect.
But…onto his behaviour: He doesn’t geuflect properly; he kinda rolls his head, he wears irreverent clothes(pants falling down and shirt hanging out), he doesn’t say Mass, he SHOUTS Mass to the point where your ears hurt and you can’t concentrate. Everyone kinda jumps when he enters to begin Mass because he’s so loud. He refuses to use the sound system and shouts his way through Mass instead. Then, at the Consecration, the most important part in my eyes, he goes berserk with the Eucharist, shaking it in the air and bellowing the words to the point where I just cannot concentrate on such a Divine moment. He’s ruining the Mass and I don’t know what to do. Why wont he use the sound system? How can I deal with this maturely? The Mass has started to turn into a comedy show because he’s making such a spectacle of himself. Any advice would be good, thanks.
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So maybe the sound system isn’t that good.

At the parish I go to, the priests have trouble with the mic sometimes (it rubs up against the vestments), to the point where they shut it off and just spoke loudly sometimes.

Maybe he can’t get it to work right or something. Someone should ask if he wants some help or some pointers with it. You could easily ask something like “Father, I noticed you weren’t using the mic, is the sound system broken or something?”.

I don’t see anything wrong with what you describe because as others point out there could be issues you don’t know about.
 
bethanysamuel said:
Thanks Amy, maybe he does have an ear problem affecting his balance and a neck problem or something. He is extremely overweight which makes me reluctant to say anything to him regarding anything related to his bodily behaviour incase its related to weight+he’s embarrassed.
Its the sound thing really. You know what you said about him getting carried away, well yeah maybe he does get caught up in the moment, its just everyone gets distracted. I think this will take a lot of patience at least, and careful thought.
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Christian charity is called for in this situation. He could have had a stroke which effects his mobility and his volume control. He could have some kind of neurological disorder.
 
Just a question.

What is a difference between a “head bow” and a “head roll”?
 
bethanysamuel said:
Ok, we have a new priest and I’m sure he’s a lovely person and obviously he’s created by God so I must treat him with respect.
But…onto his behaviour: He doesn’t geuflect properly; he kinda rolls his head, he wears irreverent clothes(pants falling down and shirt hanging out), he doesn’t say Mass, he SHOUTS Mass to the point where your ears hurt and you can’t concentrate. Everyone kinda jumps when he enters to begin Mass because he’s so loud. He refuses to use the sound system and shouts his way through Mass instead. Then, at the Consecration, the most important part in my eyes, he goes berserk with the Eucharist, shaking it in the air and bellowing the words to the point where I just cannot concentrate on such a Divine moment. He’s ruining the Mass and I don’t know what to do. Why wont he use the sound system? How can I deal with this maturely? The Mass has started to turn into a comedy show because he’s making such a spectacle of himself. Any advice would be good, thanks.
Click to expand...
Pray for him, pray for patience and charity in yourself. This man didn’t just descend out of nowhere. If he was just ordained, the formation team in his seminary know of his habits. If he has been a priest for awhile, his brother priests know. In any case, the bishop definitely knows. Nothing that you describe invalidates the Mass. After he’s been at the parish for a bit, you will likely find out if Father has a physical aliment of some kind. In the meantime, assume the best (many in this thread have given very plausible causes). I imagine that you will grow used to his ‘style’ and it will no longer be such a burden for you.
 
I went to Mass and someone must have already pointed all this out to him because, apart from a bit of over-excitement at the Consecration, he didn’t shout at all and every time he nearly went too high he brought his voice back down. It was amazing. I hope that whoever had a word with him did it gently. It was a relief knowing it had already been dealt with, and that he’d had the grace to respond so well. Thanks for all your comments it was very helpful.
P.s. I dunno how to describe a head roll other than its when you roll your head. Does that help?
 
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