Monday 21 April 2008

Fidelity, Fidelity, Fidelity

I got this from a blog I read now and then called 'In Hoc Signo Vinces' which to my knowledge means 'in this sign you will conquer'. I just thought it was interesting really. This was the sanctuary at the time of the Vatican council and probably well into the 70's...
This is the sanctuary now...

To be honest, it's not all that bad. Many churches got off worse, but it's almost as if it's a different faith... I felt myself saying 'what on earth' (a closer transition is wtf, but I cant publish that here).

I'm not all to fussed about the tridentine mass or novus ordo. I like both and most people who know me know that fact about me. But this is a complete and utter nonsense.

One of the biggest problems we have today is people messing around with the faith of the Church and the faith of the people. Some priests who want to be liturgically crazy often end up having churches built which don't reflect a church, but more a theatre or modern abstract space in which minimalist notions are entertained and from which tabernacles are hidden and statues banned. We have this situation today whereby we have a lot of catholic churches which simply do not represent provide for worship but rather they provide some Hans Kung, Karl Rahner loving liturgical madness and entertainment.

On the other hand I should point out the I know a lot of beautiful churches still in existence (such as my home parish). Yet, at times that madness still goes on...

No wonder people are confused. What we have to remember is that we are called to be faithful to Jesus Christ and His Church which He founded upon the rock which is Peter. That means being faithful to the faith which we profess... When we change things like the above, we should remember we are tampering with peoples faith which is often strong, but for most it can be delicate, and fragile.

Priests and Bishops are called to a life of service and self-giving not to change the meaning of the liturgy just because they like things a certain way... That goes for a lot of the trad priests too; be careful you are not isolating your people by suddenly changing everything. Instead be faithful to your calling and be a true shepherd for your flock who need your guidance and direction.

For me the Pope has really nailed things on the head by asking us to re-discover the beauty in our liturgy because it must reflect what we believe, and ultimately we believe in what good, true and beautiful.

For now, it's good to end with the words of Fr Richard John Neuhaus 'Fidelity, Fidelity, Fidelity'

1 comment:

joannaB73 said...

It doesn't look like a church - it looks liek a state ballroom or something.