A Catholic Living with L.A.
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20 Comments:
I could not agree with you more. This was a practice, like female altar boys, that had its modern root in the American Church in disobedience. The American Bishops, instead of taking actions to stop the practice, went to Rome and said they are doing it already, can we have permission? And Rome said yes. And Pope JP II apparently approved of it also. So well it be ended in the American church? I say no. Not with Levada in Rome, and with the American Bishops asking for exceptions at every turn. After all, Americans are special and need special dispensations. The Holy Father's appointment of Levada (I guess there were worse choices) is a real disappointment in these regards. The Pope is infallible, not indefectable, I keep telling myself ...
I agree.
Your history of the practice of communion in the hand is not quite accurate.
Its modern manifestation began in Holland by the disobedient Cardinal Suenens. Pope Paul VI did not approve of the practice and after polling bishops around the world, concluded that the venerable practice of communion on the tongue should be continued. However, Pope Paul said, out of, I guess, 'pastoral sensitivity,' that the practice could continue in those places where it had already begun. And that was the beginning of the tidal way of disobedience all across the world.
Communion in the hand is a serious problem but there are others.
Everywhere within the Catholic Church there is a pervasive culture of casualness that is reflected in what people choose to believe or not believe, what laws they will follow or not follow, what reverence they show and how they dress. Ostensibly, Catholics come to church in order to worship their King. Yet, as this picture shows, they often dress as if they’re about to go out and wash the car.
I can only hope to see reverence restored. In reading what is being discussed at the Synod, ther is cautious hope for optimism. But the disobedient and dissident will continue their way with impunity I suspect as they ahve been doing for decades.
My own pastor said the Redemptionis Sacramentum (not to mention the norms from the GIRM) are not being implemented in the diocese because they are seeking an 'american adaptation'---again!
So we continue in liturgical abuse and think one day it will all be approved. After all, it worked in the past...
One of the Vatican II documents includes the voting statistics of a survey given to the Council Fathers on Communion in the hand. The practice was very strongly voted down.
Juan is correct. Card. Suenens, the other Belgian, Dutch, and Canadian bishops poked a finger in the eye of the historic (and eminently sensible) tradition, and voila, you have a majority of "hand-takers" pleading for special dispensations.
Which were handed out, reluctantly, like candy given by a hesitant mother who knows the candy is not the healthiest food to give her child but caves in, out of weakness.
I say, prfect fear casts out luv.
Juan:
I see what you are saying about innaccuracies in my post. I only said what I recall about growing up in the American Church. People in my neck of the woods (L.A.) were doing communion in the hand long before it was ever approved by the Vatican.
Dear Anonymous 1:50pm-
Perhaps the Paulists and the Jesuits were doing the "communion in the hand" thing in their campus ministry centers, but I am not aware of any L.A. parish that was doing it until the U.S. Bishops voted in favor of allowing it. If I am not mistaken, that vote was taken around 1977 or so and the future Cd. Bernardine was behind it.
Hey, weren't the Paulists and the Jesuits among the original Apostles? Hmmm, maybe Judas....
Patrick,
I think the Paulists and the Jesuits were among the original cast of Godspell - or was it Jesus Christy SuperStar(?)
Joe, don't insult "Day By Day" and "What's The Buzz, Tell Me What's a Happenin'" by this gross parallelism!
Patrick,
that's nothing compared to your gross injustice to Judas
Touche.
Caught 'ya red handed!
Couldn't resist.
Salute!
Juan, L.A. is where I was born in the early 60s. L.A. is where I grew up, and I went to Church all over the area. There are alot of Churches in the L.A. diocese. Rest assured there were many abuses that you did not personally witness. Communion in the hand was done in the U.S. before permission was ever given by Rome. And there can be no doubt that it has contributed to a lessening of reverence for the Eucharist.
I alway wonder if one of these Anonymouses is a priest I know. In LA they'd best be anonymous when commenting on *this* blog!
Anonymous 12:38 ...
Do you think the Cardinal reads L.A. Catholic???
I doubt it, but I bet there are some in the chancery who do. It would also be easy for some Modernist fan of the Cardinals to email the comments to that destination.
did you also read they talked about the "limitations" of eucharistic adoration and making the "bread" look more like bread? arrrrgggg!! anon42
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