![]() ![]() I believe the only way to address the partisan divide head-on is to push for liturgical reform in pursuit of truth. In reality, there shouldn’t be the two camps because prior to Vatican II there was only tradition. Though it won’t be resolved by hugging around a campfire while singing kumbaya. Like partisanship in politics, it’s easy to toss labels at people whom we disagree with. Modernist thought can be credited for developing an understanding of unique situations that make it next to impossible for certain people to fully follow the rules. Traditionalists are rightfully justified in recognizing when the Mass is being treated irreverently or veering away from orthodoxy. There’s no easy way to navigate between two partisan views. But if the rigid stereotypes are true, a modern, Novus Ordo parish seems more likely to show such compassionate accommodation for people who endure these sufferings. This isn’t to say traditionalists are insensitive towards people with disabilities. Even wooden pews can make it difficult for those suffering with spinal problems, so stacking chairs with cushions were implemented. Sometimes burning incense can be unbearable for those who suffer respiratory issues, so hypoallergenic incense was put into use. In order to accommodate, some parishes have adjusted their musical style and quality. If the music plays off-key, it could trigger someone with high-sensory autism who happens to have perfect pitch. For parishoners with severe intellectual disabilities, being able to sit through any type of church service can be extremely challenging. Instruments such as guitars and tambourines suddenly snuck in to make Mass more attractive - undoubtedly an influence of the hippy era of the 1960’s and 1970’s.Ĭlearly, it wasn’t just an issue of the use of language, but of the form.Īs far as modernism within the Catholic Church is concerned, there are some progressive aspects I can appreciate. The Eucharist is rarely received directly in the mouth, but rather in the hand which increases the chances of desecration. In many modern parishes, the tabernacle no longer resides behind the altar. It seems a gross misinterpretation of what Vatican II tried to accomplish enabled many traditional elements to be shoved aside. The divide among Catholics could not be more evident than how they treat the Vicar of Christ. Sedevacantists believe there hasn’t been a valid pope since Pius XII – the very pope who actually initiated Vatican II! Even nowadays, the ever-growing cynicism and hyper-outrage towards Pope Francis seems to give sympathy to schismatic groups such as these. ![]() Some dissenting Catholics have gone as far as to say the liturgical corruption is due to a corrupt papacy. Such groups like the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and Fraternities Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri (FSSP) came into fruition to preserve the Mass in its extraordinary form. The realization that the Catholic Mass of my childhood had been subject to sabotage truly saddens me. To put it facetiously, the extremes can be put on a scale from ‘All are welcome’ to ‘Everyone is an apostate except me!‘īut humor aside, I can deeply sympathize with those who call themselves ‘traditionalists.’ I returned to Catholicism out of a personal conviction to seek more reverent, Christ-centered worship - a conviction that couldn’t be satisfied within the realm of American Protestantism. And within both groups lies varying degrees of traditionalism and modernism. Over the past century, the Catholic Church has been boiled down to two partisan groups: traditionalists and modernists. Though the thought of attending a Mass in a different language adds an exciting level of heavenly mystery. ![]() Phillip’s discourse with the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 comes to mind. Most Catholics who knew Latin came from a background of higher education, though I personally believe the Gospel ought to be shared in a language that people can understand. He was apparently so adamantly opposed to the English liturgy that he would boldly say the responses in Latin, much to the embarrassment of his grandchildren. Some were furious to the point of blatant resistance, such as famed Catholic author J.R.R. When the Tridentine Mass suddenly dissolved, many people were understandably upset. The outcome of Vatican II birthed a new liturgical format called Novus Ordo, a format that would be done in the language of the local parishoners. Prior to the 1960’s, the liturgy of the Mass was recited entirely in Ecclesiastical Latin. The majority of the feuding seems to centre around what happened after the Second Vatican Council (or Vatican II). And now that I’m back in communion with the Church that claims to be founded by Christ Himself, it pains me to say it wasn’t long before the honeymoon was over. ![]()
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