I don’t think they’ll start genuflecting from this one change. But this could possibly start a change in attitude, especially if the priest makes a point of stressing the importance of proper behavior in God’s presence. If only people would treat the church as a place of worship rather than a meeting hall. (ie, no clapping, etc.)
Dominus vobiscum.
You fail to grasp something very important. many people, both laity and clergy alike have the belief that the community is what is most important and not the worship of God. You see when liberal Christianity first reared its ugly head back in the 1800’s, it was felt by many that due to advances in science and greater understanding of natural phenomena that Christianity had pretty much been compromised and could no longer serve the new man, modern man.
So what they did essentially as to lop off every aspect of Christianity that could not fit within their self defined parameters" ie" belief in miracles, the existance of the Holy Trinity, the divinity of Christ the Virgin Birth etc.
One of the big things they did was to replace the idea of salvation as coming after death to being the bringing forth of Gods kingdom on earth, In order to do that the entire idea of salvation as known by Christianity had to be replaced. So you came up with the idea that what really mattered was an ethical lifestyle while living so that Gods kingdom would be in existence on earth. Belief in Judgement salvation and damnation pretty much went out of the window.
These ideas took hold in the protestant communities by force and led pretty much directly to the founding of the fundamentalist and pentecostal communities as a direct response in the late 1800’s/
They did not start to take root within the Catholic Church until much later although many theologians of the 20th century did adhere to these type of beliefs.
Now what does that have to do with anything? Well, adhering to old outdated ideas of worship conflict directly with these ideas and that includes maintaining the Church in the manner that there were in those days. Think about it. The great cathedrals stood tall and ornate befitting the King of the Universe. The Altar resembled the throne of the King and all were expected to maintain silence and modest decorum in His divine presence.
However, the new theology envisions God not so much as an omnipotent ruler but as a close friend. Someone not in Heaven but around us constantly. In fact, He is us and we are Him. So there is really no need for such things as silence and modest decorum in Church. After all, it is the community that is important, and what should be celebrated and not some disembodied spirit.
Truthfully having the tabernacle off on the side makes the church feel more protastant than catholic; sorry if I have offended any protastants out there. It also feels like the True Presence is not there. I find it confusing that if the tabernacle is off on the side (or sometimes in a different room all together) if I should still genuflect before the altar. I have also noticed in churches where the tabernacle is off to the side the respect of being in the presence of God isn’t there. People seem to chit chat more and have no concern for those who are trying to prepare for mass. It seems more of a social setting.