Passion Reading on Good Friday

[utah_rose]

I’d like some advice on this of what to do. For various reasons for the last several years Ihe gone to the Good Friday service at a neighboring parish which is held at 3pm in the afternoon. However, last year when reading the Passion the. Pastor whose a bit on the progressive side, instead of saying the Jesus role in the narrative asked us to say it. Evidently he had also done this on Palm Sunday. I felt very uncomfortable doing this. It was my understanding that the priest would always say Jesus’ words, and we the congregation would say the crowds.

At the time we didn’t have a bishop, but we do now. Should I email the pastor (we don’t go to this parish regularly) asking him about it, or should I ask the bishop if there’s a certain way that’ each parish in our diocese is supposed to follow?

Or are any parishes in your area doing this?

 

[1ke]

Paschalis Sollemnitatis states: 33. The Passion narrative occupies a special place. It should be sung or read in the traditional way, that is, by three persons who take the part of Christ, the narrator, and the people. The Passion is proclaimed by deacons or priests, or by lay readers. In the latter case, the part of the Christ should be reserved to the priest.

If this isn’t your parish and you aren’t planning on going there, I see no reason to contact anyone. If you do want to talk to someone about it, please start with the pastor of that parish. It is only courteous that you do so and not go to the bishop about something you haven’t already discussed with the pastor himself. Everyone deserves that courtesy of having a concern brought to them directly instead of going around them to someone else.

 

[utah_rose]

Thanks. That’s what I was thinking to do.