Why don't all Catholic churches have a crucifx?

[Jenny35]

For example there is a Catholic “community” (they choose not to be called a Parish) in our local Diocese, which instead of having a crucifix or even a cross, only has a statue of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven.

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

 

[McCall1981]

For example there is a Catholic “community” (they choose not to be called a Parish) in our local Diocese, which instead of having a crucifix or even a cross, only has a statue of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven.

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

Absolutely. I’ve never seen a Catholic church without a crucifux.

 

[Filioque]

While I am not supporter of the “Resurrected Christ” crosses, and am a regular at the EF. I do have to point out historically that the crucifix as a form of Cathoic religous iconography, and on the altar is not of Apostolic origins, it did not become universal in the West until at least the 600’s If memory serves. It was only placed on the altar during Mass, along with the Candles. and the altar was otherwise barren outside of Mass.

From the few times I’ve had to fulfill my obligation by assisting at Mass in a parish with the described sanctuary, there was always a processional Crucifix which was placed near the altar, Not my cup of tea, but according to the Rubrics of the OF permissible, and when there is no crucifix in the sanctuary manditory.

So as distasteful it may be for me, it would seem it is permissible, if they at least use the processional crucifix during Mass, Not being the Pope, I guess I must accept it as being licit if they do follow the rubrics during Mass.

 

[Jenny35]

While I am not supporter of the “Resurrected Christ” crosses, and am a regular at the EF. I do have to point out historically that the crucifix as a form of Cathoic religous iconography, and on the altar is not of Apostolic origins, it did not become universal in the West until at least the 600’s If memory serves. It was only placed on the altar during Mass, along with the Candles. and the altar was otherwise barren outside of Mass.

From the few times I’ve had to fulfill my obligation by assisting at Mass in a parish with the described sanctuary, there was always a processional Crucifix which was placed near the altar, Not my cup of tea, but according to the Rubrics of the OF permissible, and when there is no crucifix in the sanctuary manditory.

So as distasteful it may be for me, it would seem it is permissible, if they at least use the processional crucifix during Mass, Not being the Pope, I guess I must accept it as being licit if they do follow the rubrics during Mass.

Good info.

 

[Filioque]

Good info.

Thanks, I also just remembered, (while not subject to the rubrics of the latin rite) the Assyrian and Armenian Rite Churches have a plain cross and not a crucifix.

 

[Pilgrim_333]

For example there is a Catholic “community” (they choose not to be called a Parish) in our local Diocese, which instead of having a crucifix or even a cross, only has a statue of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven.

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

Is this “community” in communion with the Catholic Church. I only ask because, in my area, there are two “Catholic missions” that have been declared unauthentic and schismatic by the diocese. If they are, then it is certainly odd, I have yet to enter a Catholic Church that doesn’t display at least one crucifix, in fact, most of them boast enough to make an Amish man weep.
DISCLAIMER: The last bit about the Amish was a joke and does not reflect the views of this forum or any anti-Amish feelings on my part. It’s just that they’re not very keen on religious imagery.

 

[Jenny35]

**Is this “community” in communion with the Catholic Church. ** I only ask because, in my area, there are two “Catholic missions” that have been declared unauthentic and schismatic by the diocese. If they are, then it is certainly odd, I have yet to enter a Catholic Church that doesn’t display at least one crucifix, in fact, most of them boast enough to make an Amish man weep.
DISCLAIMER: The last bit about the Amish was a joke and does not reflect the views of this forum or any anti-Amish feelings on my part. It’s just that they’re not very keen on religious imagery.

Yes. In fact it’s truly tragic. The “community” pastor in question has been recently promoted by the Bishop to be the head pastor of the principal church of our Diocese. That promotion will go into effect in about a month. The church sans crucifix also uses drums and light shows in liturgical worship, the pastor hasn’t written anything - he simply copies and pastes from the CCC and other sources for his weekly “from the pastor’s desk” - the “community” has a mission statement, it reads like a corporation; TEAM - Together Everyone Achieves More.

I’m heartbroken.

 

[Ad_Orientem]

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

Yes. What you observe is a modern trend which is not in concert with the mind of the Church. Pope Pius XII expressed the mind of the Church on this matter (among others) in his 1947 encyclical Mediator Dei. Excerpt:

1. . . . it is neither wise nor laudable to reduce everything to antiquity by every possible device. . . . one would be straying from the straight path were he to wish the altar restored to its primitive tableform; were he to want black excluded as a color for the liturgical vestments; were he to forbid the use of sacred images and statues in Churches; were he to order the crucifix so designed that the divine Redeemer’s body shows no trace of His cruel sufferings . . .

 

[Scott_D]

We have quite a few churches here in Maine with no crucifix except the processional one. Our architecture is lacking too, at least the more recent variety. We have churches which are round and look like convention centers. There is one which has no pews and no kneelers, but cushy chairs instead. The tabernacle isn’t even in the same room as where mass happens, and our Lord must be brought in through some clear glass doors which look like they belong at a mall. Maine does have a handful of outstanding old churches with actual stained glass, but many of these have been shut down in favor of the new convention center types.

 

[sedonaman]

The Mass is supposed to be a re-enactment of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. As such, a crucifix is central. [See illustration below from a pre-Vatican II Catholic prayer book, and note the caption.]

I would have serious reservations about a church that called itself Catholic but omitted a crucifix.

 

[CB_Catholic]

The Mass is supposed to be a re-enactment of Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary. As such, a crucifix is central. [See illustration below from a pre-Vatican II Catholic prayer book, and note the caption.]

I would have serious reservations about a church that called itself Catholic but omitted a crucifix.

My church does not have a crucifix and we are thoroughly Catholic, as Catholic as the Pope, and as Catholic as you. We have a crucifix that is a processional cross that is in the Sanctuary during Mass.

Although I prefer a crucifix, I do not feel our Masses are less Catholic than the Masses in the churches that do. We have reverent liturgies, holy priests, all the beautiful devotions–Novenas, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Bible Studies, etc. And we have Jesus Christ in His Sacraments.

Stop making absurd and rash judgmental statements about churches like you did. It demeans the people and the clergy in the parish. You will find heterodoxy in the most elaborate churches, and orthodoxy in the plainest. It is not a crucifix that makes a church Catholic.

 

[AnnArbor]

For example there is a Catholic “community” (they choose not to be called a Parish) in our local Diocese, which instead of having a crucifix or even a cross, only has a statue of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven.

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

There should be a crucifix visible near the altar during Mass --does your pastor not do this? By the “principal church” do you mean the Cathedral?

 

[ConstantineTG]

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Sorry, but you are wrong about this. Our salvation is because of three things, the incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection. The death of Christ is meaningless if He did not rise. And the death and resurrection are both meaningless if He was not God who became man. Don’t forget, Lazarus died too, and he was resurrected by Christ. But he was not glorified in his first resurrection.

Read St. Athanasius the Great’s “On the incarnation”. Great piece of work that saved our faith from Arianism! He teaches masterfully on why the incarnation is important to our salvation.

 

[Aelred_Minor]

For example there is a Catholic “community” (they choose not to be called a Parish) in our local Diocese, which instead of having a crucifix or even a cross, only has a statue of the Risen Lord ascending into heaven.

We have the possibility of salvation because Jesus died on the cross, not because He rose from the dead.

Shouldn’t the suffering Christ be “front and center” so to speak?

I live in an area in which all the parishes label themselves on their signs as the “Catholic Community” of such and such. In my parish we have a big statue of a risen and probably ascended Christ hanging above the alter. When I first saw it I thought it depicted Jesus as sexless or even female, but when you get up close you see there is short blond beard under his chin/jaw. Anyway, the wounds in his hands and feet are visible but this does not make it a crucifix. Of course there is no crucifix on the alter.

Fortunately, there is a traditional old processional cross that is a crucifix and is usually used at mass. Unfortunately they do not use it when there is no alter server to carry it, and also it is placed far to the side of the elevated sanctuary rather than within this area, but at least it is up front and visible to about two thirds of the congregation.

 

[Chatter163]

I live in an area in which all the parishes label themselves on their signs as the “Catholic Community” of such and such. In my parish we have a big statue of a risen and probably ascended Christ hanging above the alter. When I first saw it I thought it depicted Jesus as sexless or even female, but when you get up close you see there is short blond beard under his chin/jaw. Anyway, the wounds in his hands and feet are visible but this does not make it a crucifix. Of course there is no crucifix on the alter.

Fortunately, there is a traditional old processional cross that is a crucifix and is usually used at mass. Unfortunately they do not use it when there is no alter server to carry it, and also it is placed far to the side of the elevated sanctuary rather than within this area, but at least it is up front and visible to about two thirds of the congregation.

In some dioceeses, including Ogdensburg in upstate New York, parishes had to be joined as “Catholic communities” due to the shortage of priests. Each member group of these Catholic communities were in the past, or could be today, a parish by itself, but the rural nature of the diocese makes covering each with its own priest difficult, so they are joined together and cared for by a single priest. Thus, it is the diocese that came up with the term Catholic community to handle the pastoral needs in an organized fashion, rather than, as some have insinuated here, an insidious attempt to call themselves something other than a parish.

 

[bben15]

I’ve never been to a Catholic church that doesn’t have a crucifix, but I’ve heard of some that don’t.

For example, I live in the Diocese of Springfield, IL, and the only crucifix we have in the cathedral is a standing crucifix to the side of the altar.

God Bless.

 

[sedonaman]

My church does not have a crucifix and we are thoroughly Catholic, as Catholic as the Pope, and as Catholic as you. We have a crucifix that is a processional cross that is in the Sanctuary during Mass.

Although I prefer a crucifix, I do not feel our Masses are less Catholic than the Masses in the churches that do. We have reverent liturgies, holy priests, all the beautiful devotions–Novenas, Divine Mercy Chaplet, Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Rosary, Bible Studies, etc. And we have Jesus Christ in His Sacraments.

Stop making absurd and rash judgmental statements about churches like you did. It demeans the people and the clergy in the parish. You will find heterodoxy in the most elaborate churches, and orthodoxy in the plainest. It is not a crucifix that makes a church Catholic.

Where does it end? Could some host-makers in a predominantly Italian parish decide the hosts needed spiffing up to make them not so plain, like adding pizza sauce for blood and a slice of pepperoni for the body?

Judgmentalism notwithstanding, there is a point at which Catholicism ends and non-Catholicism begins. :yup: I find it disturbing that there are folks who don’t research Vatican documents before trying to implement what they feel is the right symbology.

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“The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new, and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth and will turn to myths.” – 2 Timothy, 4:3-4

 

[Aelred_Minor]

In some dioceeses, including Ogdensburg in upstate New York, parishes had to be joined as “Catholic communities” due to the shortage of priests. Each member group of these Catholic communities were in the past, or could be today, a parish by itself, but the rural nature of the diocese makes covering each with its own priest difficult, so they are joined together and cared for by a single priest. Thus, it is the diocese that came up with the term Catholic community to handle the pastoral needs in an organized fashion, rather than, as some have insinuated here, an insidious attempt to call themselves something other than a parish.

In my area, which is not in the diocese of Ogdensburg, the community is synonymous with the parish. In the days when we had a priest he covered three (later two, after one was closed) of these communities/parishes. The word “cluster” is used to describe this larger unit in which the priest was the sacramental minister. Today individual masses are covered by priests from the surrounding area when possible.

 

[LongJourney]

I have trouble with this at a local interdenominational chapel. I enjoy going there for Mass, because it is a small community, and I like the two priests who are assigned to that ministry. However, there is a statue of the risen Christ behind the altar, a small crucifix on the altar, and no processional crucifix moved close to the altar for Mass. I like to see a crucifix immediately after receiving the Sacrament. Father says, “Pragmatics, pragmatics.” He is very traditional in other practices.

Such a situation is MUCH worse when other denominations do not use the same building. To me, it tastes of Protestant cultural contamination of our faith.

 

[CB_Catholic]

Where does it end? Could some host-makers in a predominantly Italian parish decide the hosts needed spiffing up to make them not so plain, like adding pizza sauce for blood and a slice of pepperoni for the body?

Judgmentalism notwithstanding, there is a point at which Catholicism ends and non-Catholicism begins. :yup: I find it disturbing that there are folks who don’t research Vatican documents before trying to implement what they feel is the right symbology.

---

“The time is sure to come when people will not accept sound teaching, but their ears will be itching for anything new, and they will collect themselves a whole series of teachers according to their own tastes; and then they will shut their ears to the truth and will turn to myths.” – 2 Timothy, 4:3-4

Oh for goodness sake. Such exaggeration does not even make sense. Not having a crucifix does not equal non-Catholic, and the pizza sauce reference is just plain ridiculous. Such silly things are not what being a Catholic is about and is a very poor witness for the faith.