Pope approves return to traditional Catholic masses in Latin - 9-Jul-07 - Generational Dynamics

Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Jul-07

Pope approves return to traditional Catholic masses in Latin

Expressing surprise that even young generations found the Latin mass "suited to them,"

Pope Benedict has granted permission for Bishops to approve use of the traditional Latin mass when requested by parishoners.

Pope Benedict

Pope Benedict

The Latin mass was pretty much abolished in 1962 by the Second Vatican Council, which had the mass given in the parish's local language, rather than Latin.

According to the text of the Pope's letter:

"Afterwards, however, it soon became apparent that a good number of people remained strongly attached to this usage of the Roman Rite, which had been familiar to them from childhood. This was especially the case in countries where the liturgical movement had provided many people with a notable liturgical formation and a deep, personal familiarity with the earlier Form of the liturgical celebration. ...

Many people who clearly accepted the binding character of the Second Vatican Council, and were faithful to the Pope and the Bishops, nonetheless also desired to recover the form of the sacred liturgy that was dear to them. This occurred above all because in many places celebrations were not faithful to the prescriptions of the new Missal, but the latter actually was understood as authorizing or even requiring creativity, which frequently led to deformations of the liturgy which were hard to bear. I am speaking from experience, since I too lived through that period with all its hopes and its confusion. And I have seen how arbitrary deformations of the liturgy caused deep pain to individuals totally rooted in the faith of the Church. ...

Immediately after the Second Vatican Council it was presumed that requests for the use of the 1962 Missal would be limited to the older generation which had grown up with it, but in the meantime it has clearly been demonstrated that young persons too have discovered this liturgical form, felt its attraction and found in it a form of encounter with the Mystery of the Most Holy Eucharist, particularly suited to them. Thus the need has arisen for a clearer juridical regulation which had not been foreseen at the time of the 1988 Motu Proprio. The present Norms are also meant to free Bishops from constantly having to evaluate anew how they are to respond to various situations."

From the point of view of Generational Dynamics, what's most interesting about this letter is the last paragraph: That even young people, with no experience with the Latin mass, are demanding it.

As the world enters a new generational Crisis era, 62 years after the end of World War II, there is a return to traditional norms around the world, including traditional gender roles and traditional religious beliefs. Thus, we've seen the Russian Orthodox Church reunite 80 years after Bolshevik Revolution, and we've also seen a conflict in Turkey between strict followers of Islam and secularists.

A lot of people are unhappy with Pope Benedict's decision. Within the Catholic Church itself, there's a "culture war" between traditionalist and modernists.

This is not a simple matter. In an article on religion last month, I described how some really trivial changes in the rites of the Russian Orthodox Church in 1652 created a major rift in the Church, including a new branch called the "Old Believers" that exists to this very day. I'm sure that Pope Benedict, who has enormous respect for the lessons of history, is quite aware of the lessons of the Old Believers.

Another issue is that Jewish groups are expressing anger at the change.

That's because the traditional liturgy prayed for the conversion of the "perfidious Jews" in Good Friday prayers marking the death of Jesus Christ to be Catholics.

The revised liturgy, used after 1970, replaced this with a prayer recognizing the Jews’ eternal covenant with God, which is considered less offensive.

You know, I've always found this whole debate a constant source of puzzlement. There's really no doubt what Christian theology says: Unless you accept Jesus Christ as your savior and the son of God, you're going to hell. There's no two ways about it, and it doesn't matter whether you're an atheist, an agnostic, a Jew, a Muslim or a Hindu. Returning to a liturgy that calls for the conversion of Jews to the Catholic religion is just saying what's already an ironclad belief.

Of course, there is that use of the word "perfidious," which refers to the blame going to the Jews for the death of Jesus Christ. Perhaps Benedict might agree to take that word out.

At any rate, this is going to be a heavily debated change, and it will be interesting to see what groups and populations support it, and which oppose it. (9-Jul-07) Permanent Link
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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Jul-07 Pope approves return to traditional Catholic masses in Latin

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Generational Dynamics Web Log for 9-Jul-07
Pope approves return to traditional Catholic masses in Latin