Vatican Does Not Deny Coming Liturgical Reform

(Rorate Caeli) - ...Moreover, the fact that “at the moment” there are not “institutional proposals” for reform, does not deny that already today there are proposals for study that have not yet become “institutional.”

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THE CATHOLIC KNIGHT: In recent weeks we have witnessed a classic example of the back and forth Vatican game that usually precedes major liturgical changes. A report surfaced on Rorate Caeli blog (a highly reliable source of liturgical news), that a new document had been presented to the pope outlining future liturgical changes. Shortly after this, the Vatican announced that no "institutional" changes were planned "at the moment." In fact, the original article on Rorate Caeli never claimed that, but it was misinterpreted by other bloggers (including myself) to be a bit more than it actually was. In actuality what was presented to the pope were proposals for further study. In other words, they outline a general direction the Holy Father would like to go, but they do not force institutional changes by edict or decree at this time.

This actually makes sense in the overall scheme of things. When we look at the present state of the Novus Ordo clergy throughout the world, and the history of liturgical reform under Pope John Paul II, we've learned that the Holy Father's wishes are often downplayed (even ignored) by the general clergy throughout the world, especially in English-speaking nations, where some of the most egregious liturgical abuses are commonplace.

It is the opinion of this blogger that the Holy Father seeks to implement the changes to the ordinary form (novus ordo) liturgy using a more subtle technique, simply by appointing hand-picked liturgical reformers to various dioceses throughout the word, and gradually implementing the reforms he wishes through private instruction of his bishops, while using the same liturgical publications already in place. Official edicts and decrees will be sparing at best, as historically these have proved to be fruitless with the current crop of clergy that now exists in the Church.

As for the current generation of Church leaders, it is also the opinion of this blogger that the pope will only discipline the most scandalous abusers in the years ahead, while he will allow the majority of the novus ordo generation to simply fade away. By that I mean retire. With the restoration of the extraordinary form (tridentine) liturgy, we are beginning to discover that the crisis of clerical shortage was transient. Traditional and orthodox seminaries are now busting at the seams with new seminarians, while the liberal and progressive seminaries can no longer afford to keep their doors open due to shortages of candidates. The post-Vatican II, novus ordo progressive priesthood is slowly dying off, and bishops are quietly admitting they will reach a total crisis within just five years, to where they will simply not have enough priests per parishes, and the only priests coming to replace them are traditionalists. To supplement for the coming shortage, bishops will also be forced to import foreign priests from the third-world (Africa and Asia), who are usually far more traditional and orthodox in their approach to ministry. When one takes these things into consideration, the pope's apparent plan for liturgical renewal makes sense. Rather than fight with the novus ordo generation, butting heads with them as they resist change, it may be best to just let them fade away in retirement, while the next generation of more traditional priests takes up the cause.

So what does this mean for the average traditionally minded and orthodox Catholic in a novus ordo parish? It means simply this. Participate in the liturgical renewal crusade on a personal level, then pray for a YOUNG priest to eventually replace your current priest approaching retirement. Your best bet at getting traditional and orthodox reform in your parish is with a young priest, fresh out of the seminary, and well trained in both the ordinary and extraordinary form of the liturgy. The rest of the liturgical renewal will occur in time. Of course, if you're inclined to frequent an extraordinary form (tridentine) mass, and if one is made available to you within reasonable distance, this may be a good place to seek refuge until the desired reforms have been fully implemented in your diocese.