Previous GIRM intepretations
As with many here, I attend a Mass where abuses occur, such as children around the altar, holding hands during the "Our Father" and now having children holding chalices during the Doxology. I know that the Congregation for Divine Worship had previously issue interpretations stating that some of these practices were illict. However, with the issuance of GIRM 2003, I've told that these intepretations are no longer valid since they weren't in Canon Law (Can. 6 §1) or as GIRM 2003 states, "All things to the contrary notwithstanding." What are we to do if we present evidence that these abuses are illicit, but are told, "That applied to the old GIRM, not the new one"? Any help would be appreciated.
QUESTION from Miguel on April 22, 2004
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob L. Slavek on April 29, 2004
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Dear Miguel, I see a few problems with what this person is telling you. Also they seem to be a lame attempt to justify these abuses. First of all, Canon Law does not govern the Liturgy. So Can. 6 §1 refers to previous Canon Law and not liturgical law. Also, "All things to the contrary notwithstanding", among others things, means that anything not found in liturgical text is not liturgical. (including all these abuses) When you are told that "That applied to the old GIRM, not the new one" then ask "where in the new GIRM is it stated that it is permitted" As far as the interpretations are concerned: I suppose strictly that you could argue that they apply to the old Missal. But even so, if the same uncertainties exist in the new that existed in the old, then it seems to me that the final ruling would be that which the church had previously said. Bottom line: the church has not approved handholding at the Our Father, so it must not be done. Also, let your bishop know about the children holding the chalices. The priest is either seriously misinformed about his own vocation or doesn't understand what a priest is, and so he must be dealt with by his bishop. Mr. Slavek |