L
LawyersGunsAndMoney
Guest
I want to say up front, my intention with this thread is not to start a debate over any of the traditionalist/non-traditionalist lightning rods like TLM vs. OF, communion in the hand versus on the tongue, veiling, etc. This is more of an internal housekeeping discussion.
Often times on CAF, I’ll notice someone who participates in some “traditional” practice like the above will say something like, “Oh, but of course around here I’ll be shouted down as a rigid reactionary any second now…” So to those at CAF who identify as traditionalists, do you feel like CAF is hostile towards you?
Speaking as someone who is not a liberal per se, but attends the OF, takes communion in the hand, etc, I’m not sure why the perception exists that there’s a sizable contingent on CAF that is hostile to traditionalist practices. Again, I can only speak for myself, but I have zero desire to try to talk someone out of it if they say they prefer the Latin mass. Great! Go to the Latin mass! It’s a beautiful liturgy. Far be it from me to try to convince you there’s anything wrong with having an aesthetic preference.
From where I sit, I think the misunderstanding comes in when it appears that traditionalists are saying not just “I like the Latin mass” but “The Ordinary Form is illegitimate and if you don’t attend the Latin mass you’re a lukewarm Catholic.” Most people don’t say that explicitly, of course, but that can be the vibe. It’s the difference between “I prefer communion on the tongue because it puts me in a more reverent frame of mind” and “I take communion on the tongue because I’m reverent and if you don’t you’re irreverent.”
Again, I’m not trying to spark a debate or a fight. This is more of a plea for mutual understanding and respect, and to find out from the traditionalist side of the aisle how it looks to them.
Often times on CAF, I’ll notice someone who participates in some “traditional” practice like the above will say something like, “Oh, but of course around here I’ll be shouted down as a rigid reactionary any second now…” So to those at CAF who identify as traditionalists, do you feel like CAF is hostile towards you?
Speaking as someone who is not a liberal per se, but attends the OF, takes communion in the hand, etc, I’m not sure why the perception exists that there’s a sizable contingent on CAF that is hostile to traditionalist practices. Again, I can only speak for myself, but I have zero desire to try to talk someone out of it if they say they prefer the Latin mass. Great! Go to the Latin mass! It’s a beautiful liturgy. Far be it from me to try to convince you there’s anything wrong with having an aesthetic preference.
From where I sit, I think the misunderstanding comes in when it appears that traditionalists are saying not just “I like the Latin mass” but “The Ordinary Form is illegitimate and if you don’t attend the Latin mass you’re a lukewarm Catholic.” Most people don’t say that explicitly, of course, but that can be the vibe. It’s the difference between “I prefer communion on the tongue because it puts me in a more reverent frame of mind” and “I take communion on the tongue because I’m reverent and if you don’t you’re irreverent.”
Again, I’m not trying to spark a debate or a fight. This is more of a plea for mutual understanding and respect, and to find out from the traditionalist side of the aisle how it looks to them.