Why do liturgical abuses and irregulartities exist in 2017?

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Only half jokingly, I point out that almost no priest likes the novus Ordo. The traditionalists obviously don’t, but almost every other priest must also think it’s not good enough, because they are always changing things. It has never really been received very well in the Church.

In any event, there are still abuses because the priests that came through the seminary in the 60s, 70s, and 80s or who were a young priest during those times were taught that creativity and spontaneity were good things.

A priest from that era, who has since come to his senses, wrote an interesting (and entertaining) account of why we have these problems–including his time in the seminary at this time–called “A Brief History of the Hootenanny Mass and other Absurdities.” It actually starts around the time of the Reformation and goes through to recent times.

 
Duesenberg said:
Poppycock. Just another ridiculous excuse.
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Sorry, I don’t follow. Excuse for what? My point was it seems almost every priest feels like they need to improve upon it. It’s very rare to see one said 100% by the book…(not sure I ever have, except by a priest that prefers to say the TLM when he can…)
 
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Duesenberg… All of your points are well made, and I agree with them. I would like to add the following:

The root cause for liturgical abuses and irregularities lies squarely on the fact that bishops/priests/laity believe that today’s Mass should be man-centered, rather than Christ-centered. The Mass in its current prescribed form is seen as a boring, out-dated ritual that is out of touch to today’s changing needs/wants of men. In their mind, men need to be entertained and to be enthused—not to be told what to do or to be scolded.

Rather than properly and correctly explaining to the laity the value and meaning of the Mass as a Holy sacrifice, as an intimate encounter of men coming to God, and as an act of worshiping God, bishops and priests simply balk at it, and turn the Mass into an entertainment event in the hope that people would enjoy it and would return for the next act. The gradual movement of the Mass from Christ-centered to man-centered is what caused the abuses and irregularities.
 
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Randolph said:
The root cause for liturgical abuses and irregularities lies squarely on the fact that bishops/priests/laity believe that today’s Mass should be man-centered, rather than Christ-centered…
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I’m not sure that I concur. More and more I think it’s about the exercise of power and control – which I am beginning to believe is driven in large part by sexism/radical feminism. Let me give you an example.

When I became as an MC I had to comb through the GIRM (and later RS) to ensure we were in compliance with the set-up for the Mass. It was part of my responsibility as an MC. One of the things the GIRM directs is that there be at least two candles on or directly adjacent to the altar of sacrifice. Someone began moving the candle from the right side of the altar to the right side of the ambo. I would of course move it back to its correct location before Mass began.

The woman in charge of “environment” on the “liturgical committee” (100% female membership) would sit in the front row, purple with rage. After the Mass she would be on the warpath. “The ambo is the altar of the word and it should be included inside the candles, the liturgy committee has determined, yada, yada, yada!!” Finally she did that in front of our pastor and I replied “I don’t care. It’s my responsibility to make sure things are set-up correctly for the Mass and the GIRM requires at least two candles be near/on the altar. Get another candle if you want one next to the ambo!”

Away from the argument my pastor asked for the GIRM reference and I gave it to him. The liturgy committee continued to fight him (yes, I know), the lady in the front row kept turning purple and I kept moving the candle back to its correct location and just began to ignore all the noise.

The liturgy committee wasn’t fighting because they felt what they demanded was correct. They fought because it was THEIR idea, and because someone (especially a man) dared not embrace their idea. After several months my pastor finally directed the addition of a third candle for the ambo – he copied me on the email. Even then the fighting continued.

It was all about exerting power and control in any visible way possible for the head of the environment committee. In the process they were contravening the GIRM (they had no idea of the requirement which made them incompetent to serve on a liturgical committee in the first place in my opinion.)
Randolph said:
Rather than properly and correctly explaining to the laity the value and meaning of the Mass as a Holy sacrifice, as an intimate encounter of men coming to God, and as an act of worshiping God, bishops and priests simply balk at it, and turn the Mass into an entertainment event in the hope that people would enjoy it and would return for the next act. The gradual movement of the Mass from Christ-centered to man-centered is what caused the abuses and irregularities.
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I do agree that lack of good catechesis has done a real number on the Church. No question there.
 
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Power and control—very good points indeed…
 
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I’ve read it. It’s a very funny and reasonably accurate romp through part of Catholic history. Being a former Anglican, the chapters on Henry VIII had me rolling with laughter.
 
Wanting to be liked by his parrishoners. I know of one priest in a nearby parish who has some outlandish things, in my opinion, and I don't think he thought of them all by himself. But the parishoners love him. Think he is the best thing since sliced bread.
 
Gertabelle, you actually saw a clown mass? What was the context? Do you remember how it was explained to the congregation? So many people bring up clown masses, but I have never known or spoken to anyone who actually attended one.
 
With regard to lay people giving the homily, one of the “last chance” Masses in my diocese features a woman who gives the homily almost every week while standing in the aisle. The priest commemorates her by name in the Eucharistic prayer, immediately after the Pope, Bishop, retired Bishop, and followed by a bunch of other people. He also plays around with other aspects of the wording of the consecration, but not so far as to invalidate it as far as I can tell.
 
Fuerza said:
With regard to lay people giving the homily, one of the “last chance” Masses in my diocese features a woman who gives the homily almost every week while standing in the aisle. The priest commemorates her by name in the Eucharistic prayer, immediately after the Pope, Bishop, retired Bishop, and followed by a bunch of other people. He also plays around with other aspects of the wording of the consecration, but not so far as to invalidate it as far as I can tell.
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That’s truly hideous. That’s something I would video, put on YouTube with appropriate search search tags. I would then send a letter to the local bishop with a link.
 
Indyann said:
Gertabelle, you actually saw a clown mass? What was the context? Do you remember how it was explained to the congregation? So many people bring up clown masses, but I have never known or spoken to anyone who actually attended one.
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I don’t know if it would qualify as a “clown mass” as some people describe them. The priest and ministers of the mass were not dressed as clowns. But the homily was “presented” by lay people (friends of mine) who were reenacted the gospel as clowns. Think “Godspell” I guess. They mimed everything while recorded music played in the background.

This was 35 years ago, so my memory of it may not be too accurate.
 
Strange things happened back then.And a few strange things happen now, but not to a great degree. At least, not in my diocese.
 
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