Regarding the (re)-implementation of traditions

[GloriousOrder]

Friends , can a parish priest install altar rails all over again without explicit permission from his bishop? This question obviously pertains more to America and Canada than Europe, where most beautiful architectural elements remain untouched.

I suppose this is more a question of a pastor’s independence than anything else. A bishop oversees the faith of all his diocese, and ensures its continued adherence to Christ and His Church. Does this extend to the liturgical apparatus itself? Can a priest clothe his minimalist modern altar with an altar cloth that reaches to the floor on all four sides without permission? Can a priest remove or replace statues, crucifixes, or perhaps a more classical ambo on his own initiative? Does a priest in the smallest, most thinly-populated church of a diocese need episcopal permission to install communion rails and use them? Can a priest revitalise and carry out Benediction, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Te Deum processions without permission?

This is not a question of “Extraordinary form vs. Ordinary form”, but a question of the actual power a ‘conservative’ priest has in implementing the Novus Ordo Missae with traditional architecture and avenues. How far down does the ladder of permission go with regards to revivals of old practices and architecture? How much can a priest do without having to nag his Ordinary?

 

[Sirach2]

The construction of churches and altars lies with approval of the local bishop. In addition, there are ecclesiastical rubrics for the USA which state that communicants are to receive the Eucharist ‘standing.’ Why then would a priest go against it and re-design a church to require kneeling at a rail? Priests are under obedience to the bishop, and would not attempt this on their own.

In addition, many of them are frequently transferred to a new parish after a few years of service. This would then become a problem for the new priest to undo the last priest’s initiatives and create havoc among the parishioners.

 

[At_Trent]

I’d guess any Roman Catholic bishop would have no problem with it. There are a few, and the number is slowly increasing, of those at my parish who have begun kneeling for Communion. The priests at the parish don’t seem to give it a second thought. Actually, I believe one of the priests is delighted.

 

[At_Trent]

To answer directly, it seems parishes do as they please anyhow, so I don’t see how the return to traditional doings would be a problem.

 

[PJM]

=GloriousOrder;7505724]Friends , can a parish priest install altar rails all over again without explicit permission from his bishop? This question obviously pertains more to America and Canada than Europe, where most beautiful architectural elements remain untouched.

***ABSOLUTELY!

NO WHERE DID Vatican II in written comand or even in thought [the spirit of arguement] command this action.***

I suppose this is more a question of a pastor’s independence than anything else. A bishop oversees the faith of all his diocese, and ensures its continued adherence to Christ and His Church. Does this extend to the liturgical apparatus itself? Can a priest clothe his minimalist modern altar with an altar cloth that reaches to the floor on all four sides without permission?

Again yes, for the same reason. This is a matter of Church practice and the Pastor can do do so without the Bishops approval.

Can a priest remove or replace statues, crucifixes, or perhaps a more classical ambo on his own initiative?

And replace it with what?

From the GRIM [same authority as Canon Law] 'general Instriction of the Roman Missal

The Ambo

**309. The dignity of the word of God requires that the church have a place that is suitable for the proclamation of the word and toward which the attention of the whole congregation of the faithful naturally turns during the Liturgy of the Word.117 **

It is appropriate that this place be ordinarily a stationary ambo and not simply a movable lectern. The ambo must be located in keeping with the design of each church in such a way that the ordained ministers and lectors may be clearly seen and heard by the faithful.

From the ambo only the readings, the responsorial Psalm, and the Easter Proclamation (Exsultet) are to be proclaimed; it may be used also for giving the homily and for announcing the intentions of the Prayer of the Faithful. The dignity of the ambo requires that only a minister of the word should go up to it.

It is appropriate that a new ambo be blessed according to the rite described in the Roman Ritual118 before it is put into liturgical use.

Does a priest in the smallest, most thinly-populated church of a diocese need episcopal permission to install communion rails and use them?

NO

Th pastor is fre to do so, as kneeling remains a VALID and Licit option as a manner to receive our Lord.

Can a priest revitalise and carry out Benediction, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

YES!

and Te Deum processions without permission?

My GUESS is yes: as the pastor is directly responsible for the salvation of souls in his parish; and this paractice in no way endangers souls, and may in fact aid persoanl piety. I’'m sharing church Law on the other points…PJM

This is not a question of “Extraordinary form vs. Ordinary form”, but a question of the actual power a ‘conservative’ priest has in implementing the Novus Ordo Missae with traditional architecture and avenues. How far down does the ladder of permission go with regards to revivals of old practices and architecture? How much can a priest do without having to nag his Ordinary?

***ANY Signifiant and extensive remodel MUST by pre-approved by the Ordianry an conform to stated standards.

What you did not ask Is may a pastor return the taberncle to it’s former Centeral position, without the Ordinary’s approval. Again, MY OPINION is yes. As this too is an acceptable location, even a prefurred one; SO LONG AS IT DOS NOT INVOVLE A MAJOR REMODELING OF THE ENTERIOR OF THE CHURCH.

God Bless,
Pat***

 

[PJM]

***Another add on thought on Communion Rails…

The Comunion rail instal canot invole a major remodel without authority. But a kneeler or several kneelers could be* made available without Ordinary aproval.

God Bless,
Pat****

 

[Victorious]

The construction of churches and altars lies with approval of the local bishop. In addition, there are ecclesiastical rubrics for the USA which state that communicants are to receive the Eucharist ‘standing.’ Why then would a priest go against it and re-design a church to require kneeling at a rail? Priests are under obedience to the bishop, and would not attempt this on their own.

Actually, in the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, the correct posture for Holy Communion is kneeling (for those who are physically able to kneel). The new norm for Communion while standing does not apply to the Extraordinary Form, the celebration of which no longer requires permission from the bishops. Where, then, is the disobedience in making it possible for people to receive Holy Communion in the correct posture for the Extraordinary Form?

 

[Sirach2]

I believe you misunderstood both the OP’s question and my response. He asked …

… a question of the actual power a ‘conservative’ priest has in implementing the Novus Ordo Missae with traditional architecture and avenues

Most of the EF liturgies, as far as I understand it, do receive kneeling, and perhaps on kneelers. But the rubrics for OF liturgies denote “standing,” although those desiring to kneel are not to be refused communion.

 

[ProVobis]

Friends , can a parish priest install altar rails all over again without explicit permission from his bishop? This question obviously pertains more to America and Canada than Europe, where most beautiful architectural elements remain untouched.

I suppose this is more a question of a pastor’s independence than anything else. A bishop oversees the faith of all his diocese, and ensures its continued adherence to Christ and His Church. Does this extend to the liturgical apparatus itself? Can a priest clothe his minimalist modern altar with an altar cloth that reaches to the floor on all four sides without permission? Can a priest remove or replace statues, crucifixes, or perhaps a more classical ambo on his own initiative? Does a priest in the smallest, most thinly-populated church of a diocese need episcopal permission to install communion rails and use them? Can a priest revitalise and carry out Benediction, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, and Te Deum processions without permission?

The bishop is the trustee of all church property within his diocese so he would have to make the final decision on a major improvements such as communion rails, etc. He might in fact be needed as a source for the necessary funds, unless the parishioners chip in.