RS - Chapter I, Section 1

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Chapter I, secton 1 - ** The Diocesan Bishop, High Priest of his Flock**

Let’s limit this particular discussion to this section.

It begins with "The diocesan Bishop, the first steward of the mysteries of God in the particular Church entrusted to him, is the moderator, promoter and guardian of her whole liturgical life"

This hit me right away because we complain about the liturgists, the parish priest and others for the abuses we see in our liturgy. But ultimately who is responsible in our Diocese - The Bishop.

When we reach the end of this document it will tell us how we, the faithful must assume some responsibility in letting our Bishops know when abuses regarding the Eucharist occur.

That’s why we must read everything to understand the true abuses so we can assist our Bishops to lead their flocks - they can’t be at every Mass in every Parish every day to see if there are abuses or not.

Are there any other responsibilities noted in this first section that you did not know were the responsibiity of your Bishop?

Do you think your Bishop is meeting these responsibilities?

How or how not?
 
My bishop is quite new, and was not a bishop until just a few months ago. As such, I cannot comment but express my hope and desire that he fully upholds all that is in RS.

That said, I do find that there is a mentality out there (even among priests) that the bishop is the end-all, and his “say-so” even supercedes that of the pope.

So, I found this quote to be of assurance, though I wish in all honesty, that I knew better what is meant by “the liturgical books.”
[27.] As early as the year 1970, the Apostolic See announced the cessation of all experimentation as regards the celebration of Holy Mass[62]** and reiterated the same in 1988.[63] Accordingly, individual Bishops and their Conferences do not have the faculty to permit experimentation with liturgical texts or the other matters that are prescribed in the liturgical books**. In order to carry out experimentation of this kind in the future, the permission of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments is required. It must be in writing, and it is to be requested by the Conference of Bishops. In fact, it will not be granted without serious reason. As regards projects of inculturation in liturgical matters, the particular norms that have been established are strictly and comprehensively to be observed**.[64]**
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[28.] All liturgical norms that a Conference of Bishops will have established for its territory in accordance with the law are to be submitted to the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for the recognitio, without which they lack any binding force.[65]
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This seems to indicate to me that no individual bishop is permitted to seek permission to deviate from norms, but that the entire Conference of Bishops must request it.
So, when a certain diocese claims that its bishop has set policies which deviate from the norm, I now wonder if those deviations were ever requested by the USCCB and are actually approved by the Vatican.
I know I must sound cynical and skeptical, but there just seem to be so many dissident bishops in the US. (One is too many.)

Perhaps in this land of personal autonomy and freedom, it is even more difficult for a man of power and influence to conduct himself in a manner of subordination…At any rate, our bishops certain do need and deserve our prayers.

Pax Christi. <><
 
So, I found this quote to be of assurance, though I wish in all honesty, that I knew better what is meant by “the liturgical books.”
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The GIRM, for instance would be a liturgical book.

You are correct in reading that individual Bishops may not experiment. But there is leeway granted in the GIRM or by the local conferences in some instances. For instance the GIRM may say that the position the faithful assume after communion may be determined by the local Bishop. That would not be experimentation.

I have to refer you back to the Preamble that preceeds this chapter. It both acknowledges that abuses exist and offers reasons why this may be so. It does so quite charitably but make no mistake. As we progress through this document you will see it says SHAPE UP.

I have also started a thread to discuss that preamble called Redemptionis
Sacramentum Intent - maybe we can discuss the “whys” there.
 
In my diocese, my pastor has stated that he asked the director our diocesan Worship Office about RS and was told to “wait for official word” before implementing it.

What surprised me by the quote I cited is that it seems to clarify the limitations of power that the individual bishop may exercise, as well as his awesome duties.

Time for dinner ~ I’ll check out “Intentions” soon. 🙂

Pax Christi. <><
 
In my diocese, my pastor has stated that he asked the director our diocesan Worship Office about RS and was told to “wait for official word” before implementing it.
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And that would be in keeping with the Bishops Authority and responsibility wouldn’t it.

I have inquired in my Diocese and found regarding this recent document “Redemptionis Sacramentum” the Bishop has a committee working with him regarding the integration of this document along with the update of the GIRM (General Instruction of the Roman Missal). Clergy, parish liturgists, music directors, etc., will be informed of the final implementations that need to begin sometime in October 2004

Probably your Diocese has a similar plan. Hopefully all the parishes will comply with the Bishops’ instructions when this occurs.
 
Wow, lol, I honestly did just think that pastors all over would read this document, see where they’d been doing things incorrectly, and make the necessary corrections. I know that toward the end of RS, it says that it’s to take effect immediately.

Guess I’m a tad naiive. :o

Pax Christi. <><
 
The wheels move slowly. I would guess the Bishops want to have a meeting with everyone to be sure they understand it and that it is done correctly - at least that’s what I am hoping.
 
As someone else has said, the bishop isn’t “the police.” I guess that’s why I thought that pastors everywhere could correct their abuses once the Vatican has enumerated them, rather than waiting for the diocesan shoe to drop, so to speak, especially when it doesn’t involve any additional expense. (I know some have mentioned using glass chalices, for instance, and cited lack of funds as a reason for non-compliance. But surely that excuse can’t be used for so many other abuses listed.)

If a pastor is inactive, even after he’s read RS, isn’t he saying, in essence, “I’m not going to be any more obedient to the Vatican than my bishop,” or “my first loyalty is to my bishop”?
 
If
a pastor is inactive, even after he’s read RS, isn’t he saying, in essence, “I’m not going to be any more obedient to the Vatican than my bishop,” or “my first loyalty is to my bishop”?
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Unless his Bishop has said, “do nothing til you hear from me”.
22.] The Bishop governs the particular Church entrusted to him,[47] and it is his task to regulate, to direct, to encourage, and sometimes also to reprove;[48] this is a sacred task that he has received through episcopal Ordination,[49] which he fulfills in order to build up his flock in truth and holiness.[50] He should elucidate the inherent meaning of the rites and the liturgical texts, and nourish the spirit of the Liturgy in the Priests, Deacons and lay faithful[51] so that they are all led to the active and fruitful celebration of the Eucharist,[52] and in like manner he should take care to ensure that the whole body of the Church is able to grow in the same understanding, in the unity of charity, in the diocese, in the nation and in the world.[53]
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Playing devil’s advocate: what is to become of priests who wish to be faithful to Rome, then, whose bishops are lax or even disobedient?
 
You must remember Redemptionis said, that the Bishop can only decide things for his Diocese that are in keeping with the liturgical books.

If the Bishop is in disobedience to the liturgical books or steps beyond the limits that the Council of Bishops allows, then he would be in error. The Priest, I believe would still have to comply with the Bishops’ rulings but if were of that much conscience, he could write to the Holy See - as could anyone in his parish.

I think Rome knows that this will be difficult to enforce without the help of the faithful and that is why they have given them co-responsibilit to report this.

But the man in the pew has got to do two things - take some initiative to learn about his faith (which most people who come to forums are attempting to do) and to get their butts off the pew and write formal , well prepared, but charitable complaints to the Bishops when they see abuses.
 
Redemptionis Sacramentum - see the poll on this document and the ensuing discussions.

Hope you download it and read it, Debbie. It is very informative
 
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