Rev. Al Kimel —“ leading the revolution
The Rev. Kimel makes some great points regarding ritual gestures* during the Holy Mass in his post Living on the ritual edge—”the wild world of crossings and bowings.
At the same time he’s acting like a neophyte.
Perhaps he missed the fact that the R.C. Church (at least in the United States) has been demanding absolute uniformity in regard to gestures during Mass (regardless of their conformity with universal law). Kneeling during consecration —“ no way. Come forward in the breadline and bow or kneel prior to receiving the Eucharist, take it in your hand, step aside, consume, walk away (like that happens —“ except on EWTN). Go back to your seat —“ and God forbid —“ DO NOT KNEEL.
Is the Rev. Kimel taking a stand against uniformity? Perhaps he should have waited until after ordination? Playing off Davey and Goliath —“ the Bishop isn’t going to like that Davey!
The Pope can’t fix this one, and that’s the problem —“ he’s not down in the chancery —“ nor do they want him there. When you place your hands into the hands of the Bishop Ordinary your loyalty is demanded, including loyalty to locally imposed norms. For good or bad (and I haven’t seen any Bishops deposed by the Pope recently —“ hint, hint, Tod Brown) you’re in. Thus, great humility is necessary.
BTW – those locally imposed norms have created a generation of ‘it’s all optional’ thinkers**. The catechesis necessary to break that cycle will take generations – that is, if there is any will to do so.
*Note that the things he mentions, crossing oneself at appointed times, and those to come (striking the breast, bowing at the name of the Lord and the Holy Trinity) is a living part of the Holy Mass in the PNCC. I love them not because of their form – but because they make you stop and think.
**Some of my R.C. friends – the ‘I just go to church’ types – get really ticked-off whenever additional rubrics, rules, gestures are imposed. What they share with traditionalists is the line, ‘Can’t they just leave my mass alone?’
No, the local Novus Ordo bishop isn’t going to like that, Davey. If Kimel tries to do anything very Catholic that bishop will squash him. If he ends up in the Anglican Use bantustan the first day he’s poorly will be the end of the nice Mass for that parish.
Actually, it would take precisely 1 generation, possibly less. Simply go to church in a rite whose local ordinary is fundamentally sound and baptize your children in that rite. If there is no local church, gather up enough like-minded friends and ask for a priest. One will be sent, if you can support him.
As the Eastern bishops buy up the Western Churches in newly hollow dioceses, a certain clarity will emerge.
Lutas,
Just for the sake of clarity I imagine that you are referring to Eastern Rite bishops in union with Rome?
I can’t imagine the R.C. Church selling to the PNCC (they refuse) or to the Eastern Orthodox (the building may not be conducive).
Your solution would work for a remnant looking for holiness, but does not address the vast majority of those who have lost the ability (or even desire) to worship. What of them? Are they lost forever?
Regarding the Eastern Churches, as some have pointed out (Serge), the Eastern Rite Churches are adopting some N.O. innovation and are moving away from being who they are, thus diminishing their own character. As in the Roman Church, this moving away is not well founded and is wrought with danger.
Change could happen, there is always hope. I think though that generational knowledge – a longing for happy-slappy N.O. extravagance, guitars, and my buddy Jesus (He’d never ask me to bow) will be an equally tough stalwart s onto today’s traditionalists.