Our Responsibility?
How much responsibility lays on our shoulders to tell priests when we see a part of Mass not being done correctly?
I know on one hand that we have to pick our battles, and if we see something at Mass not technically being done right yet it's not hurting anyone it's tempting to not say anything and let it go. To take a recent example from this board, the priest leading the congregation in the Hail Mary during Mass to present the intentions to the Blessed Mother. It's not the priest's place to add or take away anything from the Mass, yes, but it's not hurting anyone either. It'd be rather petty to complain about that to a pastor while there's much worse things to be worried about.
Yet on the other hand the Church is the Church, and if something isn't being done as she says it's wrong and should be corrected. Even though it might seem petty to me, my personal opinion doesn't take the place of the Church's teaching.
Should we report everything we see being done incorrectly to the pastor, or should we pick our battles? Is it a sin for us to notice something being done incorrectly and not mention it to the pastor?
QUESTION from James on January 12, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on January 17, 2004
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Dear James, I wouldn't tell the priest about every little detail that is done improperly, and I wouldn't really worry about sin on your part. I would however make sure the priest knows that I want Mass celebrated strictly by the Missal, either in person at an appropriate moment, with a telephone call to the office, or with a suggestion in the suggestions box with your name on it. Mr. Slavek |
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