One approach is to use the Tribunal, the priest is failing to follow canon 846: “The liturgical books approved by the competent authority are to be faithfully observed in the celebration of the sacraments;”. The full Code of Canon Law is at
vatican.va/archive/ENG1104/_INDEX.HTM .
The process starts with Canon 1502: “A person who wishes to bring another to court must present a
libellus to a competent judge, which explains the object of the controversy and request the services of the judge.”
In Boston the Tribunal address and judge names are at
rcab.org/Information/metropolitanTribunal.html . The address is:
Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Boston
P.O. Box 320586
West Roxbury, MA 02132
An example of a libellus that I wrote is at
romanrite.com/Libellus.html .
To make the case you want evidence, perhaps witnesses, photographs, videos. Perhaps letters from the priest admitting what he is doing would simplify this part.
It is likely that this tribunal process will cost money.
Another approach is to encourage the intervention of the priest’s authorities to persuade him. Perhaps a letter to:
THE OFFICE OF WORSHIP AND SPIRITUAL LIFE
2121 Commonwealth Avenue
Brighton, MA 02135-3193
Telephone: 617-779-3640
Fax: 617-254-6469
E-mail:
spiritual_development@rcab.org,
OfficeForWorship@rcab.org
Staff: Reverend Brian Mahoney, Co-Director
Mrs. Mary Ann McLaughlin, Co-Director
Sister Anne D’Arcy CSJ, Associate Director
Reverend John Sassani, Adjunct Staff
Reverend Daniel O’Connell, Adjunct Staff
(from
rcab.org/Worship_SpiritualLife/HomePage.html ).
Perhaps a letter to:
Cardinal O’Malley, OFM Cap
Archbishop of Boston
2121 Commonwealth Av.
Boston, MA 02135-3192
If letters have little effect perhaps publicising the problem will encourage their intervention.
Another option: find another Catholic parish to be involved in.
The 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum has:
“**6. Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters
**[183.] In an altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one, and all are bound to carry it out without any favouritism.
[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff. It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally to be done in truth and charity.”
So try to fix things, but decisions need to be made about what is important and what resources you have to do this.
